Generally, the evening of the recital would be a happy time. But given the stories floating around town about all the things I was supposed to have done there was a certain tension in the air. Still, the children deserved their moment in the spotlight. So, I did my best to keep a happy face as I started the program.

My seventh day of teaching was to be a dramatic one.

***

“Good evening. I’m glad to see so many people could come out. Before we go further, I would just like to thank Pastor John Grant for all his help in decorating the schoolhouse. He worked hard without any help to ensure it was decorated for the occasion, and I am truly thankful for his efforts.”

“You are welcome.” John stood and focused his box camera. “Could you stand still for a moment, please? I’d like to get a picture of you standing at the podium.”

“Alright.” Miss Auclair chuckled as she struck a playful pose. “You all know how John is with his new camera.” She froze for a moment. “Is that good?”

“That’s good thanks.” John smiled with satisfaction as he returned to his seat.

“Now, the students have prepared a few pieces for you that they are proud of and I’m sure that you will enjoy them. So, let’s get started, shall we? Here is Bobby Stauffer with a piece he has been working hard on…Bobby…come on up. It’s your turn.”

Bobby, an eight-year-old boy with a look of mischief dancing in his eyes, slowly made his way toward the small stage. He took a seat before the piano and began plucking out a halting rendition of Mary Had a Little Lamb. Polite applause greeted the ending of his performance. He waved at his fans and then returned to his seat.

“Thank you, Bobby. That was excellent. Let’s see, next on my list we have…Edward Stauffer…Edward, come on up please.”

As Edward shuffled toward his fate, John leaned over to Bernard. “When are you going to drop the bomb?”

“Right after Edward,” Bernard whispered in reply.

“Good idea.”

“Alright, here is Edward Stauffer with his piece.”

Edward, a tall and slim ten-year-old boy, began playing a flowing version of On Top of Old Smokey. After a couple of minutes passed, he ended with a sudden downward chord progression and then smiled. The applause for this was sincere and sustained. Edward smiled slightly and then returned to his preferred place out of the spotlight.

“Thank you, Edward. I can see you put a lot of work into that. Now, next up we have…”

Bernard stood from his place in the middle of the audience. “Just a minute Jamie. I have something to say.”

“Bernard now isn’t really the time to…”

John stood to support his friend. “Let him talk.”

Miss Auclair looked confused. “Alright, if you say so…”

Bernard didn’t look any more confident than his children had on their way to the platform. However, eventually, he made it to his destination. He took in the crowd before him and then shifted as nervousness chewed at his nerves. “Ahem. I know that many of you came tonight because you wanted to witness the board meeting tonight and the firing of Miss Auclair here. I know some things have been said about her and I. But the truth is, Miss Auclair hasn’t been chasing after me…she has been um… teaching me to read. And, you know, despite my stubbornness, she has been managing it. I wanted to keep it secret…because…well, pride really. The election is coming up and I wanted to look good for it. But the things that have been said about the character of Miss Auclair are simply not correct. Miss Auclair has been a good teacher to me…and my children. I hope she stays in Gladstone and continues teaching. Thank you.” With that Bernard made his way through a crowd stunned into silence.

“Amen to that.” John’s proclamation was the only response for a moment. Then, after a moment, it seemed that everybody had something to say.

***

The recital dissolved into chaos after that. Everyone had something to say and they all said it at high volume…but in the end, everyone…well, almost everyone agreed that I should stay on as a teacher.

***

Rebekah towered over Bernard as he sat in his seat. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her eyes were dark with rage. “I must say, Bernard, I am very disappointed in you. VERY disappointed!”

“Rebekah, I can explain…I…”

“There is no need to explain anything to me…you and I are through!”

Bernard wiped a sheen of sweat from his brow. “You really mean that?”

“Once I had high hopes for you…But, if you don’t value what I have to say, I’m afraid the time has come for me to turn my affections elsewhere. Good-bye!”

The crowd turned to watch Rebekah stomp toward the exit. As she left, the sound of shocked chatter returned to the room.

“Don’t worry Bernard, I’m sure there will be someone else.” Miss Auclair said as she approached her new friend.

“There already is…in fact, I was going to announce this soon, but why not tonight?” Bernard pointed toward a woman sitting in the front row. “The next Mrs. Stauffer is sitting right over there.”

“Her?” Jamie repeated.

“That’s our new mother?” Bobby and Edward said in unison.

Miss Auclair grasped Bernard’s hand and shook it. “Congratulations!”

The woman in question blushed and shook her head, then she leaned over to whisper to her husband.

“No, no, not her, the woman beside her.” Bernard pointed to a beautiful woman with long blonde hair. “You can come on over if you wish Alice…”

“If you ask me, she is a much better choice than Rebekah Stone.” Miss Auclair smiled as Alice approached. The picture of quiet grace and dignity. She reminded Jamie of her own mother, Selena.

“What if we get our picture taken together?” Bernard raised his voice. “Boys, stop fooling around! John is going to take a picture of us. Come over here.”

The family milled about, arranging themselves into a family portrait scene as John focused his camera.

“Stand still, please. That’s it.” With that, John tripped the shutter.

“That’s a lovely family, isn’t it? Now, let’s see if we can get back to the program. Who is next?” Miss Auclair glanced down at her papers, looking for inspiration.

The crowd continued to chatter. Given the dramatic turn of the evening, all thoughts of the program had been shoved aside.

***

Just think, I had thought that my work as a teacher had come to an end…that my situation was hopeless. But, as Pastor John has often reminded me, God was still working in it all for the good. Thanks to Bernard’s confession on my behalf, I was able to continue teaching. And you know, the town people treated me a lot better after that confrontation. Bernard won the election and got married…in that order, so I suppose it goes to show that honesty really is the best policy. Yes, life was good…there were still trials but I had learned that no matter how hard things get in life, it is never the right time to give up. We’ve got to keep trusting God and moving forward. You never know what will happen next. Well, that’s my story…and I’m sticking to it.