Jennifer awoke early Monday morning after a long weekend she spent doing more research on her current story she was working on.
There hadn't been any leads and her mind had been swirling with different directions this story could go in and also she was a bit nervous about the newest venture and new chapter of her life she could possibly be starting.
She knew the answer already. She was going to be assisting and teaching the class. She couldn't kid herself. She hopes that the students will be attentive to the course and want to learn as much information as she can share.
She was going to the high school to meet with her friend, Carolyn, to tour the school, see the classroom, and meet with the rest of the staff.
She turns to look at her husband, smiling a bit. Jonathan is still asleep.
She decides not to disturb him, so she gets up to get ready.
She chooses a rather casual pantsuit for the meeting today wanting to be comfortable, but also presentable and smart.
Jonathan has just woken up and is heading to shower when he sees Jennifer is sitting at her vanity teasing her auburn hair.
He comes up behind his wife and squeezes her shoulders gently as he places a kiss atop her head, smiling at her.
" You're so beautiful." he murmurs into her hair.
Jennifer stares up at his reflection in the mirror before turning to face him.
" You're not so bad looking yourself." she smirks as the two exchange a loving kiss.
" I don't know how I feel about letting you go. I'd rather spend the morning with you in bed." Jonathan pouts a bit.
" Who said we couldn't enjoy a little time together after our meeting?" she winks, replying coyly at him.
" I'll hold you to that, darling." he says before disappearing into his closet to select a suit for the day.
About 10 minutes later, Jonathan emerges dressed and looking quite smart.
" Want to ride together, darling?" Jonathan asks as they exit their home.
She nods and the two head for Jonathan's Mercedes.
Jonathan holds the door open as his wife enters the car and then he takes his place in the driver's seat and off they ride to the school.
" You're very quiet." Jonathan observes as they drive along through the neighborhood.
Jennifer is staring at her open portfolio and he knows the newest article she's working on has consumed much of her time. When it came to the welfare of animals, Jennifer found it to be a very worthy cause.
" Hmm? Oh I'm sorry, darling. I didn't mean to ignore you." she apologizes.
" It's just this story I'm working on. It's a great big puzzle and I need to put all the pieces together." she sighs heavily.
" Maybe I can help you with it when we get back home?" he offers, hoping to lend a hand.
" I'd love that. Thank you darling." She replies, smiling over at him.
" You know it's going to be really lonely with you gone all afternoon. Freeway Junior and I will have to find something to occupy our time." Jonathan mentions.
Jennifer chuckles. " It's a shame Max isn't around. I'm sure he would take you to the tracks. You'd never be bored with him."
The two sigh sadly at the loss of their beloved friend and housekeeper. To Jonathan, he was so much more than that. He was a father figure and was the glue that held their little family together.
After he passed, they filled the void with trips, and of course Max kept them occupied since he passed, surprising them with trips he planned for them and other things along the way to keep his memory alive.
Jonathan pulls himself from his thoughts when he feels Jennifer's light touch on his thigh.
" It's okay to miss him." she says lightly. " He was a part of your life for so many years."
" Some days it doesn't seem real." Jonathan laments.
Jennifer squeezes his hand in her own, wanting to take her husband's pain away, feeling so sorry that he was still grieving the loss of the most important man in his life.
The two pull up to the large high school and they park.
" Are you ready, my darling?" Jonathan asks as he puts the car in park.
Jennifer takes a breath before nodding. " As ready as I'll ever be."
They walk arm in arm up the long walkway as the school children around them chatter about,excited for the first day of school to begin.
Jennifer feels a bit intimidated as the kids stare at them.
She spots a group of cheerleaders as they stand together, giddy with excitement, ready for the first week of school activities to commence. She remembers all too well the excitement of being on the team and her own high school memories.
" Do you remember your high school days, darling?" she asks.
Jonathan chuckles and nods. " I do. Times have certainly changed." he takes stock of the children they pass.
" Do you ever think about- nevermind." he doesn't finish his thought as they are greeted by school staff and Carolyn.
" Jonathan! Jennifer! What a surprise to see the both of you!" She excitedly embraces the two in a tight hug.
" It's wonderful to see you. I thought I'd escort Jennifer this morning to see what this is all about." Jonathan replies with a smile.
" Well don't just stand there. Come with me. I'll introduce you to the principal and our vice principal and the rest of the staff." Carolyn ushers the two inside.
Jonathan motions for the women to walk ahead as Jennifer and Carolyn head to greet the staff.
" Welcome to our campus. I'm Principal Ralph Morris and this is Vice Principal Andrew Davis. Here at Cliff View High we pride ourselves on our students excelling at academics and preparing them for college and beyond." The tall older man shook Jennifer and Jonathan's hand, hopeful that he'd have a new teacher on staff, especially one with the beauty and credentials of Mrs. Hart.
" It's a fine building with beautiful grounds. How many students attend school here?" Jonathan asks.
" We currently have a student population of 800 students. If your wife begins teaching with us, I'm sure her class will fill up fast. I've seen your work, Mrs. Hart. I think you'd be a wonderful addition to our staff here and the students would benefit greatly from having an esteemed journalist such as yourself helping them along the way." Principal Morris tells them.
Jonathan was quite surprised. He was very impressed the school managed to have a student body that size.
Jennifer blushes a little. " Well thank you. I am very passionate about my work."
" That's what I like to hear," he says before introducing the Harts to the other staff members and some of the teachers.
The hallways were loud as all the children were navigating through, trying to find their classes.
Jennifer smiles fondly as she and Jonathan walk through the halls side by side.
Many of the younger boys couldn't help but stare at Jennifer as she walks by and Jonathan can't stifle his laughter.
" You know darling, I think you might have a line of high school boys eager to take your class." Jonathan whispers in his wife's ear as they continue on down the busy halls.
Jennifer can't help but laugh and blush slightly at his comment.
" I've noticed." She smiles cheekily at her husband.
They stopped walking in front of a big room that had the door closed. Carolyn ushers them in the empty classroom.
Jennifer is taken aback. The classroom is well equipped and set up to help students.
" I see so much potential in the liberal arts, specifically in the students that are gifted and well versed in writing." Principal Morris says.
" Every program here gets access to a pretty tidy sum of money, specifically donated to each program and our journalism department would be sparing no expense. You would have access to getting these children into the field to really learn and cultivate their craft." the assistant principal chimes in.
" I see." Jennifer replies as she takes a peak around the room.
There is plenty of space and Jonathan can tell the wheels are turning in his wife's mind.
" When would I be starting?" Jennifer asks, turning now to face her friend and the heads of the school.
Carolyn grins at her friend. " You tell us."
" I'll sit through with Carolyn today and let's talk about a contract at the end of the week if that's alright." Jennifer proposes.
" That's good enough for us." Principal Morris nods his head, smiling in delight.
Jonathan is happy for his wife and will support her however he can.
" The first bell is going to ring soon. I'll have Carolyn start getting things ready and she can walk you through the full day." Mr. Morris says.
Jennifer nods her head.
The heads of the school shake hands with Jennifer and Jonathan before they head to get ready for the morning.
" Well, I take it this is my time to leave." Jonathan pulls Jennifer close by her hands.
" I'm going to miss you, darling." Jennifer whispers as she smooths the lapels of her husband's jacket.
" Not as much as I'm going to miss you. You're going to be wonderful. You and Carolyn are a force to be reckoned with." Jonathan raises his voice a little so Carolyn can hear the compliment.
" Oh Jonthan, always the flatterer. Jen is going to be wonderful at this." she replies with a grin before returning to the chalkboard to write her notes.
" Yes she is. I have no doubt." he replies, locking eyes with his wife.
" Darling- I think there are rules about flirting in the classroom." Jennifer cheekily remarks.
" Oh? There is? Well. I'm sorry about that, Mrs. Hart. I hope I won't be in too much trouble. " Jonathan looks up at his wife with a smirk.
" I'll see you later darling." Jennifer kisses his lips lovingly before pulling away.
Jonathan blows her a kiss before heading out the door. He waves at his wife once more before heading back to his car.
" Now then, what can I do?" Jennifer asks, clasping her hands together, anxious to get to work.
TBC…