All of Me

Nikki opened her mouth to say something, and an alarm went off.

This wasn’t the same alarm used during fire drills. Then Karen remembered the memo stating there would be a lockdown drill—the first one with the new procedures. Karen’s radio beeped, and Melissa’s voice came over the line.

“Lockdown with intruder.”

The other two teachers joined Karen and Nikki, and they frantically waved the children over while asking what was going on.

Sensing their nervousness and remembering what she’d learned from the workshop, Karen took charge. “Let’s calm down and get the children lined up on their class numbers. Bev, can you take Lena’s class? Joe, you take Liz’s. Follow the lockdown procedures we distributed a couple of weeks ago.” They nodded and hurried off. Out of her periphery, she spotted Damian striding urgently toward them, but she turned her attention back to getting the students to safety. “Nikki—”

“Who put you in charge? I don’t have to take orders from you. Anyway, it makes more sense for everyone to go inside the cafeteria. It’ll be easier to account for the kids.” Nikki tried to call the other teachers back.

“I don’t have time to argue with you, Nikki,” Karen snapped. “Take Mr. Colston’s class and get to your room. I’ll take Sheila’s class.” She quickly walked to where the students were lined up. Nikki followed, still arguing about where the students should go.

Damian met them at the line.

“Nikki, did you not read the memo and lockdown procedures Melissa and I brought back from the training?” Karen asked with exasperation.

“Need help?” Damian asked, dividing his gaze between the two women.

“Yes,” Nikki answered. “I’m trying to tell her that the best place for the students is in the cafeteria, but she acts like she knows everything.”

“In this case, Karen is correct. I’m sure you received the lockdown procedures. The students need to be in the classroom with the doors locked, lights off, blinds closed and windows covered. Have them sit on the floor away from the door and windows,” Damian said. “Please escort your students now.” He left to gather some straggling students.

Nikki stomped off with the two classes, but not before shooting daggers Damian and Karen’s way. “Wait until the superintendent hears about this.”

Karen and Damian got the children secured in the classroom, and Karen had them read in an effort to keep them calm and quiet. Nikki’s threat of going to the superintendent worried Karen, giving her second thoughts about her decision to keep seeing Damian.

“I heard the end of Nikki’s threat, and I know you’re worried. Don’t be. Everything will work out,” he whispered.

She stared up at his reassuring gaze and nodded. She wanted to believe everything would work out with their relationship, but between Nikki’s threat and the possibility that Karen might get the job, she didn’t see how it could ever happen. Deep in her heart, Karen felt she was only a few days away from another heartbreak.

It seemed like forever as they sat waiting. Finally, the all-clear signal sounded, and Kyle’s voice came over the speaker.

“I want to congratulate the teachers and staff for a job well done on following the procedures for an intruder lockdown. We’ll use some time during the staff development workshop to provide specific feedback and answer any questions. Again, great job.”

When Kyle finished, Damian said, “I need to get back to the office. I’ll see you after school.”

Nodding, she waited until he left to give instructions. The other teacher came to take her students back, and Karen spent the next several minutes answering questions as best she could about the drill. She made sure the students knew how proud she was of how they handled themselves. They were still pretty antsy, so she put in a movie instead of having them do the writing assignment she had originally planned. There were only forty-five minutes left in the school day anyway.

After dismissal, Karen met Damian, Kyle and Melissa in the office. They spent the first part of the meeting discussing what happened. Damian and Kyle reported on what they had observed from staff, as did Melissa.

“I’d like to hear your thoughts, as well,” Kyle added, gesturing toward Karen.

“With this being new, I think the teachers handled themselves very well. After being reminded about the newly implemented procedures, everyone took charge and moved the students to safety. Well...except one person, of course.”