Saylor

“Oh. Yeah. Owen Daniels.”

“That’s what I thought. The kids seem quite taken with him.”

“Yup. Looks like they are,” I mutter.

“And he’s athletic,” he notes.

“Yup.”

“Seems like he’s good with kids.”

“Sure does,” I agree, trying to keep the venom from my voice.

“Think he’d mind if we ran a background check on him?”

Feeling whiplashed, I shake my head. “What? Why?”

“For the teaching position.”

“Teaching position?” I squeak.

“Gym––”

My eyes nearly bug out of my head as I hook my thumb over my shoulder toward the crowd gathering behind me where Owen is the star. “You want him to be the gym teacher?”

“Yes. Why not?”

“Because he’s….” I take a deep breath, praying my voice doesn’t shake. “He’s Owen Daniels.”

“Yes. He’s Owen Daniels. Father of one of our students. Has an excellent background in athletics, and––”

“And has so many better options than being a gym teacher at an elementary school,” I point out.

Unamused, Artie straightens his tie. “The physical education department is desperate for a strong leader. I think he’d be an excellent candidate, and I certainly hope you don’t think so lowly of the teaching industry,” he adds, snarkily.

“I don’t,” I tell him. “You know that. I love my job. It’s just––”

“It’s just what, Miss Swenson?”

“I’m just not sure he’d be interested. That’s all.”

“Well, I think you should ask him and see.”

Like a fish out of water, my mouth opens and closes. “Principal Wells, I’m not sure––”

“Fine. I’ll do it.” Artie’s spine straightens as he holds his head high and yells, “Mr. Daniels! May I speak with you for a moment?”

Kill me. Kill me now.

Owen’s brows furrow before he mutters something to the kids then jogs over to us. “Yeah?”

“Hello, I’m Principal Wells.”

“Nice to meet you. Owen Daniels, Grady’s dad.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Principal Wells mentions as he shakes Owen’s offered hand. “I’m curious if you’ve ever considered teaching.”

“Uh, teaching?” With a shrug, Owen looks back at the kids congregated on the lawn. “Well, I––”