spring break is over

I wasn't ready to receive the world yet. I left my blinds drawn, my front door closed. When the neighborhood kids yelled a "Hi Ms. Chang!", I simply waved and hurried into the trailer. Where was she all week? Whose car with Maryland tags was sitting in her driveway? I had left without warning; I knew there would be questions. And I wasn't ready to answer them yet.

When Ward and I had reached Jackson, TN, I could feel my heart sink. We were only two hours away. When we crossed the Mississippi border, it sank into my stomach. We were now - so quickly - half an hour away. I was caught in the undertow of a great wave of lonliness. I had an awesome time over spring break - the company of friends and a whiff of freer days - but that makes it this much harder to return to a job that relies solely on my enthusiasm. I almost cried this afternoon. I'll be fine once the school week begins, but I head to bed tonight with a sad heart.