- 8.
David stormed out.
<
I thought he’d left for good.
The next day, he was at the school gates.
He looked haggard, eyes bloodshot.
He rushed over when he saw me.
“Anna!”
I looked at him coldly. “David, what is it?”
He hesitated. “I have a mission. I’m leaving
this afternoon.”
I nodded, my expression unchanged.
“Have a safe trip.”
I turned to leave.
Г
“Anna, wait!” he called. “I’ll come back after
this mission. Wait for me.”
I didn’t stop.
I didn’t believe him.
I focused on my work with John and the other
teachers, pouring my heart into the children’s
education.
Five years flew by.
We finally sent our first class off to college.
Tears welled up as I looked at their
acceptance letters.
It was all worth it.
L
David hadn’t returned.
I assumed he was with Sarah.
After the graduation ceremony, I had my first
vacation.
Before I boarded the train, John handed me a
bag of food.
“Anna, it’s a long trip. Be safe.”
I laughed. “John, you’ve told me a hundred
times. Do your students know how much of a
mother hen you are?”
He blushed.
The boarding announcement came over the
L
loudspeaker.
“John, I have to go. Go home,” I said, waving.
“Anna.” He called my name, not “Ms. Anna.”
I turned back, surprised.
“Anna, you’ll come back, right?” he asked, his
eyes filled with a familiar anxiety.
I’d looked at David that same way, hoping
he’d choose me.
I laughed.
“Of course, I’ll be back. This is my home
now.”
His face lit up with relief.
く
After three days on the train, I arrived back in
my hometown, a wave of emotions washing
over me.
Five years had changed everything. Familiar
streets were now strange. My favorite diner
was gone.
Passing a school, I heard children reciting
lessons. I pictured my students‘ faces.
Looking at the brick building and paved playground, I thought of my students in their
makeshift classroom, a pang of sadness
hitting me.
We’d helped some children leave, but there
was still so much to do.
e lest in thought a familiar voice
As I was lost in thought, a familiar voice
called out, “Anna!”
