A Second Chance

ONE
It had been a tiring day at North Side Christian Academy where Maddie worked as a teacher’s aide. It was her day to not only do car patrol, but also to straighten up the classroom and ready things for the next day. As she pushed open the outside door to the school, she heard her name being called.
“Ms. Abbott, can I talk to you in my office for a moment please?” Mrs. Reeves, the elementary principal, spoke as Maddie handed the last child she was responsible for over to their parent. Maddie went straight to Mrs. Reeves’s office hoping this wouldn’t take too long. She was tired, hungry and ready to go home.
“Maddie, I’m glad I caught you before you left. This won’t take long. I’m sure you’re eager to get home. I certainly am at the end of each day,” she said with a kind smile.
Mrs. Reeves was a kind soul. She loved her job and the kids, and Maddie didn’t know of a single person who would be better suited for this job than Mrs. Reeves. She ran a tight, well organized ship and treated everyone fairly with kindness and respect even while disciplining those who broke the rules.
“Maddie, I know you were hoping to be a full-time teacher here at North Side. And believe me I would like that as well. Your work and your interaction with the children is excellent. Last evening Mr. Carson, Mr. Stewart, and I had a meeting to go over contracts and found it very surprising to see all of our teachers in the elementary returning next year. As you are aware that rarely happens,” she said pausing briefly. “At the beginning of the school year, Mrs. Tyndale told us more than likely she would not be returning next year, and it was our plan to put you in her place. Earlier this week, she conveyed to me there has been a change in her situation and she will be returning after all. Maddie, I regret having to tell you we do not have an opening for you as a teacher.” Mrs. Reeves could see the disappointment on Maddie’s face, which saddened her. “We would hate to lose you, and you are certainly welcome to stay on as an aide.”
Maddie sat listening to Mrs. Reeves speak. This can’t be happening. I don’t want to do another year as a teacher’s aide! “I know when we hired you we promised you an elementary teaching position when one became available. Unfortunately, there still aren’t any available. It was out of my hands when Mr. Carson hired Mrs. Daniels. He chose her instead of you because she previously taught here and has more experience.” The words tasted sour in her mouth. She was very unhappy with the way this was turning out. “I still believe you are right for teaching elementary children here at North Side. Would you consider staying with us as a teacher’s aide again this year? I assure you that I will continue to work to get you a teaching position as soon as one becomes available.”
Maddie appreciated Mrs. Reeves’ words of encouragement, but words didn’t pay the bills. Sadly, living on an aide’s salary left much to be desired. She didn’t want Mrs. Reeves to see the disappointment that was surely in her heart, but didn’t think she could keep from it.
Pulling her car into the entrance of her apartment building on Star Boulevard, Maddie saw several of her neighbors coming home from work just as she was on this cold March evening. Some drove expensive cars, while others were driving vehicles with character much like her own. She didn’t judge a person by their clothes, home or vehicle and expected that no one judged her by the same. Her 1999 Toyota Camry wasn’t much to look at, but it wasn’t the looks of a vehicle that got you down the road.
Slipping her shoes off as soon as she stepped inside her apartment, she let out a sigh as her petite feet touched the thick carpet. Maddie walked to the couch and plopped on her back. Every bit of her one hundred ten pounds laid there happy to be done with the day. But she was frustrated by the news she had received an hour ago. Her mind wandered back to her childhood when she would line her dolls up and play school for hours on end. Maddie worked hard at her studies all through school, she earned the right to be a teacher, not an aide. It was her desire to work at a Christian school. She could have gotten a job at a public school with better pay, but that was not her heart.
Maddie was twenty-three years old, and had seventy-four dollars in her checking account. With payday two weeks away, she had to stretch that as far as she could. Continuing as a teacher’s aide would not be enough. The income was just too small. As Maddie floated between sleep and awake, the rattling of keys followed by the opening door slowly brought her back into her surroundings. Her roommate was home.
Meagan Givens and Maddie had graduated college at the same time and became good friends while attending the same church. They had shared their apartment for the past two years. Meagan was a paralegal at a local law firm. She had worked hard to earn her degree and acquire her current job, just like Maddie. But Maddie’s profession didn’t pay as well as Meagan’s. She did not begrudge her friend’s good fortune. It just simply irritated her at times. To Maddie, educating a child is one of the most important jobs a person could have, but it paid so poorly and left her scrambling from paycheck to paycheck.