Chapter 7: The First Day of School

While we had an intense "therapy session" to seal our reconciliation, for the next few days Darren and I tiptoed around each other a bit. Our discomfort was gradually eradicated by the conversations we had to pinpoint how events had escalated and how we would prevent that from happening in the future. We even discussed the possibility of using that counseling certificate my brother had given us, but decided that we could get through this situation on our own...together.

Darren ALWAYS put his shoes away from that point forward, and I invited Jeff and Rita over for dinner several times, mainly so that the two guys could get to know each other. It turned out that Jeff adored those Harry Potter videos that Darren had made in college, so they had a conversational starting point while Rita and I swapped "intel" about the neighborhood.

It was a tie as to who was more nervous about my interview: me or Darren. Over the next few days, I got some invaluable coaching from Jeff about local issues to bone up on, and Rita helped me choose a casual but professional outfit suitable for the big event. And, of course, my husband insisted on staying home so he could give me last minute support before I left and hear all about it when I got back.

It felt like I had really gelled with the school's director, but I wouldn't know for sure until she contacted me some time later as she told me she would. The night of the interview all nine of us were at the Criss abode munching on our dinner (pizza for the humans, tuna for Megan, and Mighty Dog for Rita's poodles), when my cell phone rang. I checked the caller ID, and mouthed, "It's her." Silence fell over the table, and I pushed the answer button.

"Yes, this is Rhiannon Criss. Hi, Kathleen! Did you get my email? I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself, too...yes...I can definitely start then..." I walked upstairs with a huge smile on my face, flashing a thumbs up to the group. As I closed the door to our bedroom, I could hear my family and friends cheering and clapping...and meowing and barking.

After our conversation ended, I hung up the phone and just sat on the edge of our bed sporting a dopey smile. I turned after hearing the door open and Darren was wearing a matching grin. He sat next to me, taking my hand in his. Kissing my fingers, he said, "Rita and Jeff send their love and congratulations. They thought we might want to celebrate...just us. They both said you should call them tomorrow."

I nodded slowly, moving to face my husband more directly. "Dare," I whispered. "I got a job. I got THE job. I got MY job."

He held my face between his hands and kissed me long and hard. "I knew it would just take time, Rhi. You are going to be such a great assistant director. They are going to wonder how they managed before you. And those kids will be thankful for the rest of their lives that someone who understands them was on their side."

"Darren...you always know just what to say. This is...huge for me. Not only will I finally be contributing to our life financially..." Darren frowned and tried to interrupt.

"I know, Dare, I was contributing, but this is different. This is what I was meant to do, and someone believes in me enough to want me to do it professionally. We'll have to work out a chore schedule, and I'll have to figure out how long it takes to get there in the mornings, and whether I should take my lunch and..."

Darren put that finger up to my lips to interrupt planning mode before it really got going. "Rhi, when do you start?"

"Three weeks from today. Right before the semester break."

"Then you have plenty of time to plan. Tonight I want to celebrate your well-deserved accomplishment however you want."

"How about however WE want, Dare? Care to join me in a bit of therapy?"

"You bet, Assistant Director Criss," Darren replied with a broad smile and he kissed me until my lips parted in silent invitation for whatever came next.

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For the next several weeks, I did even more research on my new employer, and read everything I could get my hands on about gifted schools. Rita invited us over for Thanksgiving, which we ate on her back deck. I was pretty sure I would never get used to the lack of seasons in California, but it was surprisingly enjoyable to eat turkey and pumpkin pie wearing summer clothes.

Of course, I called my parents and Mrs. Donovan often to keep them updated on our life. My former landlady commented on how happy I sounded, "Your young man must be treating you well, Rhiannon." I assured her that he was, not mentioning our fight, since we had put it behind us.

The timing was a little odd, but I was starting my job two weeks before Christmas break. My predecessor was retiring with her husband to Oregon over the holidays, but she had agreed to stay until the end of the semester to help me get settled. I would be on my own come the new year.

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I woke up before my alarm on my first day of work - no surprise - but, big surprise, Darren was already up and puttering around in the kitchen. Also, no surprise, I was nauseated. In my head I knew I would be great at this job, but my stomach hadn't gotten the memo. I trudged downstairs to see if something light would settle things, and found Darren scrambling eggs.

"I heard you moving around up there, and I want to send you off to school with a good breakfast, so..."

"Oh, Darren, that's so sweet, but I just want some toast. I'm feeling a little sick."

A look of concern swept across Darren's face. "That's perfectly normal, sweetie. This is a big day. Let me get you some apple juice too."

Darren made my breakfast, and then pulled something from the refrigerator and hid it behind his back while I chewed like a cow ruminating on its cud.

"Rhi, I wanted to commemorate your first day, so I got you this..." and he presented me with a lunch box decorated with the characters from "Cats in Boxes"!

"Oh my god, Dare! Where did you get this? I've never seen..."

"There's a website where you can get anything imprinted with anything. I know that doubts will creep into your mind at some point, but we both know that you're perfect for this, so I wanted to remind you of your supernatural skills...and that I'm incredibly proud of you."

"What would I do without you behind me, Dare?"

"Behind you, beside you, anywhere you want me, and you'll never have to find out." He gave me a peck and asked, "Feeling better? Did the toast help?"

"It did...I'm going to go get ready and make sure I've packed everything I need for today. I know that I checked last night, but..."

"That's one of the things I love about you, Rhi," Darren assured me with another kiss. "Now go...you don't want to be late."