Lost in Thought (Outside) ...

The Cast of Characters from the Previous Installments:
Mr. G – history teacher, narrator

Leah (nee Stilman) – French teacher
Mrs. Filipovic - history teacher, "voice on the line," in Russia

Mrs. K – science teacher, Curator of the School Garden

Sage – Mr. G’s daughter

Chantel – Mr. G’s wife

Male Students (in order of first appearance) – James, Hideki, Yuri, Manny, Amir

Female Students (in order of first appearance) – Ana, Sarita, Amara

*** 

I was doing everything that I could to keep from crying ... Tears of sadness ... tears of joy ... Am I like a father to them? 

James and Amara were already gardening, talking among themselves.  I can't believe how much Amara has opened up in a matter of days-- 

I snapped out of thought when I heard the tap-tap-tap of Mr. Palapas's hammer constructing some new garden boxes alongside them.  And, of course, Mrs. K had her knees planted in the garden alongside James and Amara and the school carpenter. 

While I was kneeling, setting up my camera, Hideki and Yuri were setting up our class camera from a different angle.  B.Y.O.D. ... It feels like forever since we talked about that in Jeff and Rory's class--

There was a tug at my shirt.

I turned around, a bit surprised.  

 "Hey, Papa?" Sage asked.  "Can I help?"

"Of course, Mon Petit Miette."  I could feel my smile grow large, and I gave her a kiss on her forehead.  "Touch this button right here.  When did you get here?"

She looked at me somewhat quizzically. "Just now papa.  This one?"

"Yup."

"Then, open the shutter, Papa?"

I smiled again, a grin from ear-to-ear. "That's right.  Where's your--"

Hideki and Yuri were walking in my direction, giving me a thumbs up.  "Mr. G, it's all set," Hideki said.  "Can I Skype Yarina and some of her friends on my phone?"

"Of course.  I'd love for them to be able to join us if they want."  Ah, international love.  Yuri couldn't stop talking about Yarina once our class was done sharing our findings with her and the rest of Mrs. Filipovic's class.  I turned back to Sage.  "Where's your mom?"  Sage smiled, covered her huge smile with her hand--just as beautiful as her mom's!--and pointed behind me.  Before I could fully turn, Chantel gave me a big kiss, and Sage laughed.

Manny, Amir, Ana, and Sarita were accompanied by Leah, and were walking toward us and the garden, with supplies in their hands.  "Oooo, Mr. G," Leah said with a smile.  And, Manny, Amir, Ana, and Sarita were giggling among themselves.

Yuri and Hideki lifted their heads from talking to Yarina and company on the phone. "What happened?"  

I gave Chantel a gentler kiss, "I love you, honey bunny."

James and Amara looked over toward us from the garden, looked at each other and smiled, and then continued to garden with Mrs. K, who was completely oblivious and tending to resuscitating Mother Nature. 

Sage smiled and giggled.  "Mommy's not a bunny, Papa."

"I know, Mon Petit Miette."

***

Faculty and staff spouses and partners, parents, as well as some unexpected guests, started to arrive to our after-school monthly fellowship and nature excursion.  We had fresh vegetables from the garden, dishes prepared with them, and some of the refrigerated fish caught just yesterday.

James's parents walked over to me, as did his uncle, who said, "So, you're the Mr. G I hear about all the time."  He extended his hand. "The name is Matthew."

"Pleasure to meet you, Matthew.  This is my daughter, Sage, and my wife, Chantel."  My wife shook his hand, and Sage shied behind me a little, but smiled, waved, and said a soft hello.

"Nice to meet you all.  Yeah, James was telling me about your fishing trip and the discussion you had.  Sounded really interesting.  And then, he showed me some of the files that he said you all downloaded on some ... 'Cloud,' he called it.  Wish I had had a teacher like you when I was his age.  Man, things have changed, brother.  But, I probably would have become a plumber anyway.  I just love using my hands."

"I know. I know. I've been trying to use my hands more on different projects.  Some time ago, out in Colorado, I landscaped nearly the entire backyard of my brother's property by myself.  It was so fulfilling.  Here, I should have some pictures in the Cloud.  I can show you on my phone."

Matthew extended out his arm for a fist bump. "Preaching to the choir, brother."