“When?”
“Now.” Linda’s van honked from my driveway. I herded my children out front. “Hurry up.”
They couldn’t see my hands shaking as I shooed Sam to sit beside Kristopher. They couldn’t feel my heart racing as I kissed them goodbye. They had no idea what I was about to do. “Don’t forget Sam’s six o’clock meds.”
Linda held up the pill bottle. She knew. Moms can’t sneak around behind their husbands’ backs without conspirators.
“I sat in that office typing all day. I barely spoke to him. He knows I’m up to something, but can’t guess what.”
“You worry too much.”
“I think … I guess I need to see it with my own eyes.”
“I understand that.” Linda backed out and I went inside.
I checked the clock and climbed in the shower. Can’t be late. I really wish Scott had left on time. Early throws me into a different kind of limbo. I dressed to blend in, blue earrings, black slacks, and a lightweight jacket-top. Ticket? I ran it out to the car. Camera? Phone? Book? All collected. And I was still half an hour early.
I’m sorry, honey. I’m sorry about all the mess, and yes, lies. By now, you know I did not go to Linda’s with the kids but, instead followed you last night.
___
I had timed it so that if Scott stuck to the routine I expected, I would leave the house after him but reach the theater ahead of him. Well ahead. In fact, I arrived so early, I had to wait for the doors to open. And I beat him. Good.
Inside, I chose my seat and waited. The next part was the trickiest. I needed to hide. I was a voyeur here, and I didn’t want Scott to see me. Not yet. When he entered, he stopped once, at the opposite end of my row. But he walked past without turning his head. Danger averted.
I followed him with my eyes and zoomed in my camera. I needed to catch him, or this whole adventure would be pointless. I only needed one good shot. I wondered how rude it would be to read my book while I waited. Finally, the moment came.
A woman in a black and white dress spoke his name and took his hand. I had the big lens on the camera, and I caught him receiving the Teacher of the Year award at Troy’s graduation.
The recessional played, and you walked down my aisle, looking everywhere but forward. Then you glanced up and saw me, and your eyes widened. You reached out and touched my arm. That was all. The parade was moving too fast for more. But that look, that touch, I’ll carry those forever.
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Jessie Powell is the Jester Queen. She likes to tell you about her dog, her kids, her fiction, and her blog, but not necessarily in that order. |
He didn’t want you there???
Hop over and visit Carrie’s recent post Mommy Dearest {The Path You Choose}
He didn’t know. They don’t announce the winner until graduation, so his boss called and told me in secret
you got really great pictures Jessie.
So happy for BOTH of you, an award so well deserved for him and you able to keep a secret allowing you to be there to witness it!
I hope there is one of the BOTH of you.
His smile really does say it all, although I know you are cherishing that touch.Thank you for sharing it all with us.
CONGRATULATIONS SCOTT!!!
Hop over and visit Kir’s recent post Whistle Dixie {Kethcup with Us}
Thank YOU Kir!
That just brought tears to my eyes .. wonderfully told and I most certainly was not expecting the (happy) surprise ending … well done jesterqueen 🙂
Hop over and visit Arden Ratliff’s recent post Rock : ME : Hard Place
Hurray! Andra Watkins is the mistress of the misdirection post, and I try to emulate her when I’m doing these things. Check out the one entitled “The hair down there” for a complete laugh.
Congrats!!! That is a most exciting award!!!
Totally awesome. It’s the one the students vote on, so it’s really cool and meaningful.
I got a little weepy at the end of this. What an amazing honor, and I love that moment the two of you had as he was walking out. You guys have such a special relationship, and it just shines out of your writing.
Hop over and visit Samantha Brinn Merel’s recent post Friends Forever
He is an extraordinary man. I got so damned lucky.
Ah! I feel bad that I believed this was going somewhere else! Congratulations to your husband and to you for being so stealthy. I love hearing about marriage relationships like this. It CAN work.
Hop over and visit Kristin’s recent post Integrity Without Dignity
Don’t feel bad! I was doing that on purpose! It’s a misdirection post. It means I have achieved my goal so that the ending was a complete twist.
I was sick to my stomach worrying! I was completely unprepared for this ending. I was smiling, I was almost crying. Excellent post!!
And congratulations to Scott!
Hop over and visit that cynking feeling’s recent post Infuse, hydrate-and persevere
Thanks! I’m glad the tension worked.
AWESOME!!! Yay, Scott!! From the little you’ve written about the kind of teacher he is, I am not surprised by this award. Well deserved. He looks so happy.
Hop over and visit Andra Watkins’s recent post You Say I Took the Name in Vain
It was so wonderful to be there. I couldn’t stop smiling.
Oh, Jessie, tears are streaming down my face! Big congrats to your dear hubby. 🙂
You know that means the world to me coming from you, Jennifer.
I’m glad to know I wasn’t the only one who thought this post was headed in a different direction. Happy to read that it was a good ending & not one of possible anger and an end to a relationship & family! So awesome that you were able to be there to surprise him and see him receive his award. Totally touching moment between the 2 of you! Congratulations to Scott as well. Such an amazing honor and award to receive and a surprise no less! wonderfully written post Jesterqueen. Most excellent- seems you had many of us thinking the worst & not good outcomes were coming. Kudos to you- especially if that’s what you were aiming for. If not, it was still a well written entry!!
On yes, it was deliberate. I’m pleased as punch that the misdirection worked well.
I felt awful that I thought this was going somewhere else, but so relieved by the end! Congratulations to your husband! What a sweet moment to catch.
Hop over and visit Brie E’s recent post Sick Day
Thanks Brie,
The misdirection was really fun. I twisted it one way and then another before the right thing settled in place.
Thank you for taking us on this back alley journey to the award ceremony! It was great Jessie, and congrats to the hubby for a wonderful achievement.
Hop over and visit k~’s recent post Dinner For Two (Scriptic)
Thanks! It was fun to sneak up on him like that.
Touching tale. Well played with your ninja mission. And a huge congrats to Scott. Awesome!
Hop over and visit Daniel Nest’s recent post 4 signs that NYPD and FDNY have too much time on their hands
Thanks Daniel,
I felt like a regular PI watching my subject!
Ok seriously. I have CHILLS. those pictures? just awesome. everything about this was just awesome. congrats to Scott!!
Hop over and visit christina’s recent post trivial
He is an amazing husband. I love having an excuse to write about him.
Aw, congratulations. I knew it was good. 🙂
Hop over and visit idiosyncratic eye’s recent post The Runcible Spoon Returns
Thanks! Yes, those who know us know Scott would never do anything out of line!
loved this moment. it put me in a happy place. so so sweet. 🙂
Hop over and visit Ice Scream Mama’s recent post Why I’ll Never Home School. #Teachersrock
He is the love of my life. Those are not words I ever expected to utter.
Love that he won the award and that you were there to see it. And the way you told the story and kept us guessing was brilliant.
Hop over and visit Mamarific’s recent post Big Brown Eyes
Thanks! I initially had it so it sounded like I was up to no good, but it didn’t work that way.
What a glorious smile on Scott’s face! That alone would have made your clandestine efforts worth it. Congratulations to him and to you – him for his award, you for your excellent writing. Thanks for sharing your lovely story.
The first things I fell in love with were Scott’s laugh and his smile. Dear God, he melts me when he smiles.
Awww… that is wonderful, that moment between you two. Congrats to Scott for the much deserved kudos.
Hop over and visit Tara R.’s recent post Hot summer daze
I’m so proud of him I could burst.
Yay! Send my congrats from one teacher to another.
Hop over and visit gem’s recent post The Ghost in the Classroom
I shall, I shall! He really works hard for his students.
This is a fabulous piece of writing. You really drew me in, and you totally surprised me with the ending.
Huzzah! I wanted that finale to be a shocker. I’m delighted by the response it’s getting.
Congrats to your husband! You had me on the edge of my seat – I had no idea where this story was going. Could have been good, could have been bad…glad it had a happy ending!
Hop over and visit Dana’s recent post That old lady is going to be me one day
I really wanted that ‘good’ to be a surprise, but I didn’t want it to feel to contrived, either.
GOD, you write well and save all the awesome bits for the end of the post. Congratulations! It is indeed a great award and that picture is great. The clandestine mission well accomplished. 🙂
Hop over and visit mediumsuccess’s recent post Man’s Bestie: True Cliché
Wow, thank you! I shall pass along the Congratulations.
That is the happiest post ever! I love how you love your man. And how you write about it. Lovely.
Hop over and visit Mary @ A Teachable Mom’s recent post Strangers On a Street
Thanks! I felt so good sitting there, him not knowing I was in the audience, especially when he did see me later.
I’m pretty sure this is my favorite post out of every post I’ve ever read. True story.
You are so real and I loved the details about what you wore and if it would have been rude to read a book. Haha.
The last sentences made me weepy. You and Scott are one hell of a team. I’m happy for him and very proud.
Thanks for sharing this awesome story and the fantastic pictures. LOVE!
Hop over and visit Dawn Beronilla’s recent post Superhero
Awww. Thanks Dawn. You totally make me feel good. It was fun to write it.
Congrats! So exciting.
Thanks, Christie! He was totally thrilled.
Awww, yay! How sweet! And congrats to Scott!
Thanks! I’ll pass the congratulations along. I love how the post is letting him bask in it a little while longer!
What a great, fun post for an awesome award — way cool! And congrats!
Hop over and visit IASoupMama’s recent post The Room
He was so funny. He realquicklysaidsomething into the mic and then sat back down. Because he hates to be the center of attention. So he was honored and embarrassed.
So amazing! Congratulations to Scott, and well done, you! Sneaky for all the best reasons 🙂
Hop over and visit Cameron’s recent post Blur
AND I knew for a whole month ahead and didn’t give it away. Oh GOD I had to sit on my hands so hard. I can’t keep a secret for anything. But I did this one!!
Fantastic picture!!! I can’t believe you were able to get in unnoticed until I realized how “big” the event was. Congratulations to Scott.
Hop over and visit Gina’s recent post Yeah Write: Pinky Swearing a Pair of Shoes
Excellent! You got me! Congratulations to Scott and to you for a well done post!
Hop over and visit Mod Mom Beyond IndieDom’s recent post Crack Is Whack
What a FABULOUS surprise! Of course I had no idea where it was going, but I loved where it went!
Hop over and visit Natalie the Singingfool’s recent post House Hunting
Oh my gosh! You totally tricked me! That was fabulous! I couldn’t believe the twist, and all the while I was thinking, is she really writing about what I think she’s writing about! Really, really, great! Thank you for the surprise!
Hop over and visit Jen’s recent post Oh, Coco No
Next to the post where you describe your first date with Scott, this is definitely my favorite of yours. Congrats to Scott and congrats to the both of you…for the way the two of you are there for each other. xo
Hop over and visit Ilene’s recent post My Dreams
Wow! Congrats to Scott…way to go Teacher of the Year. Way to go Jessie to be there as a surprise. What a great memory for both of you! Love ya, Susie
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