Oh what a beautiful morning

As ready as Scott was to for school to end in every spring, he secretly welcomed the students back to Eastbrook. Well…welcomed was a strong word, but he did enjoy the change. He enjoyed the pattern that school in and school out lent to the year, the rhythm it beat out in the lives of those involved in Eastbrook.

Or maybe he was just looking forward to cooler weather.

“Mmmmmm,” he said, walking into the kitchen. “Smells like the first day of school.”

Eve smiled and tilted her head, accepting the kiss he planted on her cheek as she flipped over another pancake.

“The pancakes are about done,” she said, “and the bacon is in the oven staying warm. How do you want your eggs?”

“Fried.”

“Okay. If you could go ahead and get out some plates and glasses that would be great.”

For the past few years – ever since Scott had taken the position as director of facility maintenance at Eastbrook – Eve had cooked Scott a big breakfast on the first day of school. The first time she did it, he’d teased her about not actually being in school, just working at one.

“Yes, but it takes extra energy dealing with all the students and staff and faculty.” She’d said. “Plus, I love you, so stop complaining.”

“I forgot to tell you that Zandra called last night,” Eve said as she plated the eggs and brought everything to the kitchen table. “She asked if we wanted to come over for dinner tomorrow night. They’re grilling.”

“Sure,” Scott said around a mouthful of eggs and bacon. One of life’s rules: never turn down grilling.

They chatted about the upcoming week and whether or not they’d have time to clean out the garage, then Eve glanced at the clock, declared she had to rush to finish getting ready to go to work and took her plate to the kitchen.

“I’ll wash the dishes tonight,” Scott said, putting the last of his breakfast in his mouth before following her. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Thanks, sweetie,” Eve said with a quick kiss. “I’ll see you later, then.”

Scott quickly rinsed his plate, finished getting ready and headed to Eastbrook. The faculty and staff parking lot was mostly empty when he arrived, but several teachers had already shown up to get ready for the day, and a few more filed in behind him. He waved to Mrs. Sharon, one of the art teachers, and Mr. Hawkins, the band director, as he headed toward his office. Well, closet, really. But with a desk and a phone and a computer. It was cozy.

Turning on the light, he sat down and checked the calendar blotter on his desk. He’d left the day pretty wide open, anticipating the “emergency” pages he’d get throughout the day. Grabbing his big ring of keys off the hook on the wall, he left the office and went around opening up various buildings and rooms before the masses descended. A couple of hours later, as the students were well into their first hour classes, Scott was changing a lightbulb in the band hall when he got his first page of the day. He glanced at his watch. “Well that’s a new record,” he said to himself, pleasantly surprised. He finished installing the light and putting on the fixture before calling the number – the business office, a number he’d had memorized after just two days on the job.

“Hey Catherine,” he said when the phone picked up. “It’s Scott.”

“Oh, Thank God,” she said. “It’s a nightmare up here. Two parents got into a fender bender dropping their kids off – late, I might add – causing another fender bender in the parking lot as someone tried to avoid them. Now the street traffic’s backed up and neither one will budge. The police are on their way, but maybe you could come help out?”

Now, that was a new one.

“I’ll be there.”