Why did they bother having school the day before Thanksgiving? Even the kids that were physically present were mentally checked out.

“Settle down, please. Settle down.” Zach waited while the class slowly subsided. “I know we’re looking at a four day weekend. Believe me, I’m as excited as all of you. But we still have a tiny bit of actual work that needs to get done.”

Groans pinged off the walls. Zach smiled. Just what he’d expected.

“So everyone take out a piece of paper and put your name on it.” He watched as the kids followed his directions. There were a few more groans and whispers. Did they really think he’d give a test on the day before Thanksgiving?

“Okay, now, list five things you’re thankful for this year and one person who means a lot to you but you don’t always remember to tell them that. Your homework is to take the paper home and show the list to at least one adult who’s important in your life and make a point of telling the person you wrote down that they’re special to you. Once that’s complete, you can have quiet free time.”

Zach slid behind his desk and pulled out his ereader. He should be using the time to plan upcoming lessons, but even he was having a hard time concentrating. His current thriller was about all he could focus on, and even that was iffy. He’d found his thoughts drifting to Amy more often than was reasonable.

“Mr. Wilson?”

He looked up and smiled at the freshman girl beside his desk. “Yes, Desiree?”

“I wanted to show you my paper.” She slid the sheet onto his desk.

He glanced down and read:

I am thankful for school, the people at Bread of Heaven, my new warm coat, Mr. Sam, and my mom’s new job. I especially appreciate Mr. Wilson, because he’s helped me realize that there’s something I am good at. Math. And being good at math can open doors.

“That’s...thank you, Desiree.”

“No, sir. Thank you. I know I don’t speak up much in class, but your class is my favorite. I just wanted you to know.” She took her paper and folded it before tucking it into the pocket of her frayed and faded jeans. “I want to show Mr. Sam, too, if that’s okay? He always has a snack and something warm to drink after school when I walk by. Mom says I shouldn’t take charity, that we don’t need it. But I can tell she appreciates not having to worry quite so much about me.”

“Tell Mr. Sam I said hello. Between you and me? He usually has a little snack for me when I walk by, too. I don’t think it’s charity so much as genuine kindness.”

Desiree flashed a grin before she scooted back to her seat. Zach returned to his book. Moments like that were what teaching was all about.

Freedom! Four glorious, school-free days. Zach chuckled as he slid his lesson-planning book into his bag. Of course, they were liable to be Amy-free days, which was less glorious. But they could call and text. He sounded like his students. At least they all mostly lived near one another. Jackson and Ben wanted to put up Christmas decorations at the house on Friday, which pretty much ruled that out. Maybe Amy would come help?

“You headed out?”

He grinned as his gaze landed on her. “I was just thinking of you. Any chance you’re free Friday? We’re putting up lights at the house. Pretty sure Rebecca and Paige are coming, too.”

“I’d been planning to hang with my parents, but since I’ll see them all day tomorrow, I don’t see why not. I’m surprised you’re not all going to be pasted to a TV, watching football.”

Zach shrugged. “I imagine it’ll be on, but Jackson’s the only real nut about it.”

“Think you could pick me up at the Metro?”

“Absolutely. Text me when you get on. I take the train enough I can figure out when you’re getting close.” He eyed the bulging bag over her shoulder. “That’s a lot of work you’re lugging home.”

“It’s not work, really. Costumes for the program that need altering. They’re pinned or marked as needed and Mom has a sewing machine. So while they’re watching the parades and football games, as long as she doesn’t need help in the kitchen, I can try and knock these out.”

“Does hanging out with us on Friday cut into your time? I don’t want to pull you away if you need to be working on the costumes. I mean...I want to. But I won’t.”

She laughed and laid her hand on his arm. “I’ll manage both. Who knows, maybe I can con my mom into helping. She’s better at it than I am anyway. She might think it was fun to get her hand back into the theater world. She helped a lot when I was in high school.”

“You did drama?”

She nodded.

“Now it makes sense. I wondered why you were taking on the holiday program. Why aren’t you teaching drama, too?” There was a drama teacher position listed on the school’s website constantly, along with several other teacher needs. Like a second math teacher and a history teacher.

“They keep that listing open, but it’s not really one they want to fill. Drama isn’t high on the list of subjects that the government cares about in terms of adequate yearly progress. But if they close it and admit to doing away with the program, they lose the potential funding for the slot, should they decide to hire someone.”

Zach frowned. “I take it you’ve asked.”

“Yeah. And got more than an earful in response. So now I try to help out where I can and otherwise keep a low profile. I know my position, since it isn’t directly teaching students, is always on the ‘expendable’ list. Even if it means more kids go home to empty houses for long stretches of time once school’s out. After the ninth grade, the kids are old enough for the typical stretch between dismissal and the end of a workday, so...that’s why I try to sub as much as I can, too. I want to be seen as someone who’s available and pitches in.”

That was a far cry from his situation. The principal checked in with Zach weekly, making sure he had everything he needed, promising to see what could be done about getting the wants. Because math was on that progress report. “That stinks.”

“Yes and no. For now, it means I have a job I enjoy in a place I love and I’m helping kids who need me. Worst case scenario? I have a history minor, so I could take that position.” Amy wrinkled her nose. “I’m just not sure I could make it interesting. I love history, but it’s pretty much second only to math in subjects the students whine about.”

Zach chuckled. “Can I walk you home?”

“I was hoping you’d ask.”

“What time are you expecting Rebecca? Any idea?” Zach leaned out of the steamy bathroom, and hollered down the hall. He didn’t hear any female voices—or male ones for that matter—where was everyone? Either way, the coast was probably clear. He grasped the towel around his waist and darted into his room. A wolf whistle got cut off by the click of his closing door. Maybe not having roommates wasn’t going to be so bad after all. Usually he remembered to take his clothes into the bathroom when he showered. For that matter, he thought he had this morning. But there was nothing...his eyes landed on the pile of clothes on the edge of his bed. He was too young to be losing his mind. He pulled on his clothes, ran a hand through his hair, and tossed his towel on the hook on the back of his door to dry.

His cell buzzed on his desk. Zach couldn’t stop the grin. Didn’t even try. He swiped to reveal Amy’s text. She was on her way. A swift mental calculation and...he’d leave for the Metro station in about forty-five minutes. He tucked the phone in his pocket and strode into the living room. “What’s first?”

Jackson was unloading pieces of a fake tree from a long, skinny box. “Tree? And to answer your question, Rebecca is picking up Paige on her way over. They’ll be here in about an hour.”

“Thanks. Though less helpful now than when I was worried I’d be flashing someone’s fiancée.”

“You were covered. Though you do have some manly calves.”

Zach picked up one of the tree branches and made as if he was going to swing it.

“Okay, okay. When do you pick up Amy?”

“She should be at the Metro in about an hour. I’ll leave in forty-five. We should be able to knock out the tree by then, right?”

“That’s the plan. And...” Christmas music filled the house. “Sounds like Ben finally figured out the music. Come on, help me get the stand set up.”

The three guys made short work of the tree assembly, with Ben handing the correct branches to Zach and Jackson as soon as the previous one was in position. Before long, several strands of lights were wrapped somewhat artfully around the boughs and a random collection of multi-colored balls and shaped ornaments were spread through the branches.

Zach slung an arm around both roommates as they stepped back to admire their handiwork. “Our last Christmas tree together.”

“Seriously man?” Ben jabbed Zach in the gut with his elbow. “No fair saying stuff like that. The girls’ll be here soon. We can’t be sobbing like babies.”

Jackson snickered. “I don’t think either of us was on the verge of that, Ben. Something you need to get off your chest?”

Ben humphed and turned to face his roommates. “Actually, yeah. You two idiots are responsible for some of the best years of my life so far. And as much as I’m looking forward to starting a life with Rebecca, I’m going to miss this.”

Zach nodded, his throat suspiciously tight. He opened his mouth as the cell phone alarm he’d set began to beep. He cleared his throat. “That’s my cue. I need to run and pick up Amy. It’s a good tree, guys.”