Soul

He ended with a flourish, then turned to look at his students. “Connie knows what I mean. Right, Connie?”

Connie shrank in her seat. She looked like she wanted to disappear. “I’m twelve,” she said.

A knock at the classroom door interrupted the moment. “I’ll be right back. Practice your scales,” Joe told the class.

He stepped out into the hall. Ms. Arroyo, the school vice principal, was standing there. “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Gardner,” she said. “I wanted to deliver the good news personally.” She handed Joe a letter.

Joe opened it and scanned the contents. With a shock, he realized it was a full-time job offer—his first ever.

“No more part-time for you,” the vice principal said, beaming. “They finally cleared enough in the budget. You’re now our full-time band teacher! Job security. Medical benefits. Pension.” She looked at Joe expectantly.