Writer's Wednesday
"I, uh– I hurt people, Carl. Important people. Told myself it was fine as long as I fulfilled my purpose. But…look where it got me.”
He’s studying me again, searching me for…something. “Do you regret it?”
“You know, I do, but if I had to go back I wouldn’t change any of it. Those kids, man, they’re just…” I huff from my nose, trying not to get emotional. This is about Carl, not me. “They’re the best thing that ever happened to me. They’re why I’m here. And as soon as that rocket goes up into the sky, I’m going right back to ‘em. The world is gonna need more teachers that care. And if you ask me, I’d say that’s you all over.”
Something unreadable flashes across his face, then it’s gone. “You think so?”
I grin. “I know so. And if you ever need a reference, you can put me down. Hey, maybe I could hook you up with a job at Grover Cleveland! We could be neighbors. Grace-and-Carl: the dynamic duo.”
I wait for him to tell me something to the effect of ‘that’s a little too much Grace for me.’ Instead, he says, “Stevens.”
“Sorry?”
“My last name. It’s Stevens. And I think—”
I wake up disoriented.
From a future chapter of How Sweet the Sound. Read the first 6 chapters on ao3!