Opportunity Arises

Autumn turned to winter, and Hope let her grandmother’s words ruminate inside of her heart, though she took little action. It would be difficult to leave her students in the middle of the school year, even at semester break, so she’d decided to wait until the spring, and if she was still feeling as if she needed to get out into the world and spread her wings, she’d start looking for an opportunity elsewhere that would start in the fall. Though it would be difficult to leave her family behind, she began to think if she never tried, she’d spend the rest of her life wondering what might’ve been.
A time or two, the chance to discuss the situation with her mother arose, and she’d made a few hints that maybe she wouldn’t stay in Lamar for the rest of her life, but Cordia hadn’t taken the bait, so they’d let the conversation lay in front of them. She could tell, though, that her mother knew she had something on her mind. If the free-spirited young lady Grandma Jane had described still lived inside of her mother somewhere, surly it wouldn’t be so hard to tell her when the time came.
Hope had patched things up with Lola pretty quickly. There just weren’t enough friends in her life to let something silly keep her from her best one. While she’d tried to avoid the topics of going away and courting ever since their disagreement in the churchyard, Hope had made a comment or two to let her friend know she was considering leaving town someday. Lola was mostly quiet on that topic. And on the subject of Jimmy Brooks, who continued to stare at Hope at church but otherwise avoided her.
A few weeks before Christmas, Hope sat in the church pew listening to the sermon and marveling at the Christmas decorations adorning the stage. Two large tree stood behind Pastor Vincent, one on either side. Glass baubles, handmade popcorn strings, and lots of other ornaments made by the women of the church decorated the tall cedars, their aroma making the sanctuary even more welcoming than usual. Strands of garland hung around each of the windows and above the stage, decorated with crimson, velvet bows that offset nicely against the deep green. Pastor Vincent spoke of how Christ had left his home and went out into the world to preach the gospel, compelling others to do the same. He reminded the congregation, “At this time of year when we imagine Him a small, helpless babe, let us not forget how capable He became.”
Hope shifted to look at her mother next to her, but Cordia was enthralled in the message, and Hope couldn’t even catch her eye. Her father’s arm was wrapped around her mother’s shoulders. But as Hope returned her attention to the pastor, she felt Will’s fingers on her shoulder. She glanced over, seeing he hadn’t removed his focus from the short, balding man before them either, but he’d seen that she needed an affirmation, so he’d given it to her. Hope wished she could reach over and place her hand on top of her father’s to let him know how much it meant to her, but then, she supposed, he already knew.
When the sermon was over, they rose to sing “Silent Night” as an altar call. Hope’s mouth was moving, but she wasn’t feeling the words, only going through the motions, as her mind wandered away again. Would Jesus wait until the end of the school year? She had no idea, but maybe it wasn’t too early to start looking after all.
The song ended and everyone began gathering up their belongings, bundling up in hats, coats, gloves, and scarfs to fight against the brisk December wind. It had been snowing all night and quite a bit of the white, fluffy substance had accumulated on the roads and grass. Hope imagined living somewhere warm, where she didn’t have to trudge through slush to reach her destination, but the idea was almost too hard to grasp.
“Hope!” a voice called out behind her, and she knew it was Lola. She turned and waited for her friend to reach her, stepping out of the aisle so that others could get by. “I’m glad I caught you. I should hate to try to stand outside and talk to you in this miserable weather.”
“It’s beautiful, just not pleasant to walk through,” Hope replied with a smile. “How are you?”
“I’m well, thank you. I trust you had a good week? Are the children getting excited for Christmas?”
“Oh, yes. They are ready to take a few days off right now.” Hope giggled, thinking about how excited the children had been when her father had helped her bring in a little Christmas tree earlier in the week. They were even allowed to make ornaments once they’d finished with their work.
“I’m sure they’re bursting at the seams.” Lola smiled, but Hope could tell she had something else on her mind. “Listen, I don’t want to bring up a sore subject, but I got a Christmas card from my aunt who lives in Texas. I’m not sure if you remember her. Nita? She visited once a few years ago.”
“Of course, I remember her,” Hope replied with a nod. “Her husband’s name is Bradford, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s them. They have two sons a bit older than us. Anyway, my aunt mentioned in her card that it’s too bad I’m hitched because they are looking for a schoolteacher in her hometown, McKinney, Texas. I’m not sure if she was just mentioning it in passing, or if she is really part of the search committee. My aunt likes to be involved in the politicking of the town as much as she can, which gives my uncle fits. Anyway, I thought… if you were still thinkin’ on going somewhere else maybe….”
Hope was already shaking her head no, though she had no reason why. Perhaps it was the thought of actually packing up and leaving town, but she didn’t think that was quite it—it was more like the fear of rejection bubbling up inside of her. What if she went chasing this dream, and it didn’t work out. “Lola, thank you, but I’m not sure….”
“All right. Well, I just thought I’d mention it. They’d be looking for someone before school let out for the summer anyhow. Probably sooner rather than later. Of course, after the new year, I’d suppose.”
“Your aunt said a lot in her card about something you wouldn’t be interested in,” Hope noted, straightening her hat. She was beginning to overheat a little, wearing all of that in the church building.
“Well, she also wrote my mother a letter,” Lola explained, “just talking about life in general. Some of that information came from the letter. Anyway, if you’re not interested, I can’t say as though I blame you. Moving all the way to Texas, by yourself, would be frightening. And I’d hate to see you go.”
“Oh, it’s not that,” Hope assured her friend before she’d even finished her statement. “It’s not that I’m frightened. And of course, I’d miss you, too. And my family. But it’s not that.”
“It isn’t?” Lola asked, glancing around. Hope saw Lola’s husband across the room speaking to Frankie—and Jimmy. “What is it then?”
Hope had no good answer for that. How could she admit she was afraid she’d chase a dream and wind up falling off a cliff? “Well, it’s just… I’d hate to leave my students without a teacher before the end of the year. The older ones will be studying for their exams about then.”
“That’s true. It would be difficult. Of course, if they had trouble finding a full-time teacher to replace you, I could stand in for a bit. Just to, you know, help with the transition.”
Hope cocked her head to the side. “Is that what this is about, Lola?” she asked, trying to keep her voice down but suddenly feeling as if she’d been betrayed. “Are you hoping I take another position so that you can have mine?”
Lola’s face went pale. “Hope Tucker, you aren’t actually accusing me of something so low, are you? You think I’d rather have your job than my best friend? Well I never!” Lola slid her way out of the pew and took off toward the back of the church, her nose in the air as if she’d been personally wronged, and Hope stared after her, not sure what she should do. While she did feel sorry for accusing Lola of such a thing, it wouldn’t surprise her if it was the truth. Lola had always been a bit selfish. Didn’t it sound like something Lola would come up with, a scheme to get rid of Hope so that she could become the temporary teacher of record and then take over the position?
“Hope, are you ready to go?” her father said right behind her, and Hope jumped, not even knowing he was there. “Sorry,” he muttered. “Are you okay?”
She assumed he must’ve missed the conversation she’d just had with Lola, the storming off, at least. Turning around, she found a smile and stuck it on her face. “I’m fine, Daddy, thank you. Yes, I’m ready to go.”
He nodded but his eyes narrowed slightly, as if he wasn’t quite sure he believed her. Hope slid out the end of the pew and took her father’s arm, seeing the rest of the family waiting at the back of the church. They headed out into the snow, but Hope felt overheated by emotions and thought perhaps the kiss of winter on her cheek might do her some good. She had plenty to think about now, and as upset as she was with Lola, Hope couldn’t help but think perhaps there was more to this position in Texas than she’d allowed herself to consider.