Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Not just the wall. I bought some frames, and I have them all over the house. The nightstand, one on the kitchen counter, the living room, and I even considered one in the bathroom, but decided that was a little too far. I wanted to be able to see him everywhere. That was my goal, and I accomplished it. I’m sure when Chad gets home, he’ll want to change that, but for the next few months, this is our home, one where I want a constant reminder of my husband.
Chad has been gone for two weeks. Our families are back to their lives, and I’m here on my own. I’m so thankful for Hannah and her friendship. We make it a point to have dinner together a couple of nights a week. I don’t feel so alone with her around. Life is moving forward, and that is both exciting and heartbreaking. I miss him more than I thought possible. I missed him when he was gone before, but this… this feels different. This time he’s my husband.
I miss my husband.
I’ve written so many letters that I’m worried he’s going to get tired of hearing from me, but I want him to feel as if he were here. Not only that, but I also want to share this part of my life with him. Today, I start my new job, and I wrote him a letter last night telling him all about it. When he comes home, I want it to feel as though he’s only been gone a few days, not months.
Glancing at the clock, I realize I’ve sat here too long thinking about Chad, about missing him. I’m going to be late for my first day. I quickly rinse out my coffee cup and place it in the sink to handle when I get home tonight. With one more quick glance at our wedding photo, I grab my bag and head to work.
“Good morning, class. I’m Mrs. Anthony.” My smile is huge because nineteen little humans are giving me their full attention. I’m a kindergarten teacher. I get to help shape their minds and be their first real experience with learning in the school system outside of preschool. Half of my students didn’t attend preschool from what their records show. My smile might also be that I’m Mrs. Anthony. Yeah, that’s a big part of it.
“We’re going to go around the room, and I want you each to tell me your name. When I tap your shoulder like this—” I tap my own shoulder, and they giggle “—that’s when it’s your turn.” I make my way down the aisles of their tables and tap each child on the shoulder. For some, I have to help coax them to speak, and for others, well, I have to remind them that their classmates need a turn as well.
By the end of the day, we’re all exhausted, but it feels incredible. This is what I went to school for. Kindergarten has always been my dream, and I’m living it thanks to my husband. I take my time cleaning up the classroom in preparation for the next day before heading home.
As soon as I walk into the house, my eyes go to the wedding photo. “Hey, babe,” I greet. It sounds crazy talking to a picture, but it makes me feel closer to him. Besides, it’s just me here. There is no one to cast judgment.
Leaving my stuff on the couch, I move to the bedroom to change into something more comfortable before moving back to the kitchen. I’m standing with the refrigerator door open, trying to decide what to eat for dinner, when my cell phone rings. I freeze, trying to remember where I dropped my stuff, and sprint toward the living room.
It’s been two weeks since I’ve heard his voice. I usually have my phone with me at all times. The one time I don’t, I get a call. Sure, I don’t know if it’s him, but I don’t want to miss him if it is.
I scramble with my bags, shoving my hands into my purse to find my phone. I grab it and see his name. My hands shake as I hit Accept. “Chad.”
“What’s wrong?” There’s concern in his voice.
I huff out a laugh as I plop down on the couch. “Nothing. I was in the kitchen. I’ve been keeping my phone with me, and the one time I didn’t, it rang, and I rushed to answer it.”
“Sounds like you miss your husband.” His tone is much lighter.
“You could say that.” The refrigerator beeps with its annoyance for being open too long, so I stand and rush to close it. “How are you?”
“I’m better now that I’m talking to you. I got a big stack of letters today.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.”