This is what I like: the quiet before the children arrive from school. I love my children, don’t get me wrong and more than anything I wanted to take them along on this adventure I’d undergone with my friend Josie. The adventure, ironically involves another child. A boy I gave up for adoption many years ago.
Maybe not so long ago, my friend Josie says She says I am still young and it’s never too late to to start a new relationship with one’s son.
I am now finding him at another school about a hundred miles away–who knew he’d been so near yet so far?
We are parked right in front of the school. This is also my first day as a substitute teacher here. This is really the only way to see him without it being such a big deal.
Josie says it will be a big deal no matter what. Be quiet and just be an observer she says as I start to gather my purse, coat, umbrella. It’s going to rain today.

I comment on how small the school is.

Yes, she says because she went to this school at one time. It’s so small the gym and the cafeteria are combined.

They eat in the gym? I ask.

Yep.

Okay, I say as I leave the car. As an observer?

Yep, she says again.

But I want more. I want to know he is well-cared for, at his other home. I want to know he’s happy now. Does he have a girlfriend? Is he on the honor roll? Captain of the football team? Is he handsome? These are things I will find out today so help me God.

Goodbye Caroline, Josie says just as I turn from the car and see a sheet of rain coming toward me.