Aligned Read Online Free PDF Page B

like a deal, Uncle Wes.”
    “Hey now, we are talking future here. You better not be making me an uncle anytime soon, Rosaline Scarlett Thatcher!”
    “Oh hush, you know better than that. Now let’s go. We need to get ready if we’re going to go to school today. Doesn’t that sound nice, like old times?”
    He runs up the stairs. All Wes needs is the threat of being late and he is in frantic mode. I go upstairs to take a shower and get dressed.
    I tell Wesley this is a late start day so he won’t be hounding me to be on time. It isn’t a lie. Since I’m president I can make it so.
    Once Dex and Grace wake up, I help Grace get dressed and make them some breakfast. Dex thanks me for helping out last night and for going with her to school, while Wes entertains Grace by telling her all of the different types of germs she is likely to encounter at school and the best way to stave off the viruses. She is on his every word and bobbing her head in between bites.
    “They make quite the pair don’t they?” Dex asks, following my gaze.
    I smiled at the two who’ve won my heart. “That they do.”
    After breakfast we leave, promising Dex we will see him after school.
    When we get there with school already in progress, Wes raises his eyebrow at me, calling my bluff. I introduce myself to the teacher. Her name is Mrs. Berry and she is a grandmotherly type; round, soft, and completely sweet. She seems like the best teacher for these young kids. We arrive right as they are about to have story time, so we join in and listen to her tell the story in her soft and magical voice. After story time is over the kids go out to play. I tell Wes to go with Grace and try to get her to interact with the other kids while I talk to the teacher. He gives me his disapproving look.
    “Are you sure we shouldn’t switch those jobs?”
    “Nope, this will be good, a growing experience for you both.” He gives me another look of disbelief but takes Grace’s hand. “Come on, Grace, let’s go meet some friends. I don’t know if you know this about me, but apparently I tend to be popular,” he says, throwing me a look over his shoulder.
    I spend the recess time talking to Mrs. Berry and I am pleased to hear we are on the same page. I tell her about the training I want all the new teachers to go through and she appears happy to hear it. Once I know Grace will be safe in her hands, I go check out the other teachers. Luckily the school is small, only one class per grade, and it shouldn’t take me longer than today. On my way to the next class I spot Wes surrounded by children who are all taking turns asking him questions. Grace is sitting in his lap smiling, and though she isn’t interacting with the kids, in a way she is participating, so it makes my visit all worth it. I am able to check out a few classes before lunch and am happy with the other teachers. Thankfully it appears Miss Baxter’s way of teaching was the exception and not the rule, which is a relief.
    After lunch I trade places with Wes, deciding he’d enjoy observing the older kids and no doubt harassing the poor teachers. The kids do an art project and Mrs. Berry pairs them up. She pairs Grace with another little girl who has a head full of red ringlets and giggles non-stop. She reminds me a little of Lily, the way she flits around the room. Grace takes to her right away and they make a cute snowman together out of some cotton. When the day is over I am so glad to see Grace fitting in, and when the little red haired girl, whose name I find out is Hope, runs up and hugs Grace I know I can breathe easy. Grace and Hope—what a perfect pair.
    The sadness that usually lingers in the back of her eyes is starting to lift and she giggles at Wes and his antics all the way to the house. When we get there Dex is already there, pacing the living room looking worried.
    “How did it go?” he asks, looking anxious.
    “It went wonderful. Grace made a friend today, listened to story time, and