Love From the Ashes by Cheryl Persons Read Free Book Online

those little moments.

Chapter 4
     
    The days were flying by once Thomas had gotten the job; he would go to work and make sure he was home in time for supper.  Cassie seemed to still handle the kids in stride and he was finding the adjustment was going well.  The school had called and told him that the records had arrived, and he even placed a call in to a realtor; he hoped to soon get some houses that he could look at.  When Tuesday rolled around, he could tell that the tension started to set in.  The once calm kids that Thomas saw; were now bundles of nerves as he drove them to the school.  “Everything is going to be fine;” he tried to reassure them, for what seemed like the millionth time.
    “Daddy?”  He looked in his rearview mirror and caught Frankie’s stare.  “If I don’t like it, can I come home?”
    He tried not to show her that he was laughing.  “Frankie, there’s lots of times I don’t want to go to work.  However, I still have to do it.  You will learn when you get older, that you may have to do things you don’t like.”  She looked down and he smile d.  “If it’s that bad of an experience…I’ll go get you ice cream after school.”  Her eyes got big and he knew that he had her attention.
    “Ice cream for all us?”  He saw Kari watching him.
    “Of course; ice cream for all of us.  Is that a deal?”
    “I say it is.”  Kari eagerly replied.
    He was relieved that he could finally get their attention off of the matter at hand.  He pulled into the parking lot of the school and got out of the car.  When they got into the main hallway, Bethany turned to him.  “I can take it from here; you are not walking me to my class.”
    “What?”  He acted like he was pouting, but then smiled.  “I wouldn’t dream of it.  Will you give me a kiss on the cheek?”
    “Well…” she looked around the hallways and then turned back to him.  Quickly, and without hesitation she leaned up and kissed his cheek.  “Bye dad!”  She hurried off, schedule in hand, and left him standing there in shock.  She was getting way too old for her own good.
    “Dad…” he glared at Kari.  “What?”  She asked, looking so innocent.
    “Don’t even think of it; I am walking both of you to your class.”  She groaned, but they headed towards Frankie’s classroom.  When they arrived at the room; he saw that she was holding back.  She seemed more nervous than he could remember ever seeing her.  “Wait for me here Kari; I’ll be right back.”  She nodded as he went into the classroom.  Mrs. Jones looked up and smiled.  “Hello; my name’s Thomas Campbell, and this is my daughter Frankie.”
    “Hello;” she shook his hand and then shook Frankie’s.  “It is a pleasure to meet you Frankie.”  You can put your backpack on any of those hooks and take a seat wherever you would like.”
    “Bye daddy;” he leaned down so he could hug her and she kissed him on the cheek.  “I love you.”
    “I love you too Frankie; I’ll see you before you realize I left.”
    She smiled to that and then waved her hand.  “She’ll be fine Mr. Campbell.  I’m assuming you are new to the area?”
    “Yes; we’ve been here a little over a week.  We came from Avery.”
    “We may be a bigger school, but we’re practically the same.  I’ll make sure she gets lots of friends.”
    “Thank you;” he grinned as he headed out of the classroom; just one more kid to go.  Kari was quiet as they headed down the hallway and towards the correct wing of the school.  “What are you thinking about?”
    “Ice cream;” she laughed.  “No; just kidding.  I’m just thinking about my class.  I hope that Ms. Parker doesn’t give a lot of homework.”
    He rolled his eyes; the worry that went through their heads.  “Don’t think about that; I’m sure if she does you can get through it.”
    “You’re right; you can help me if she does.”  He just hoped that it would be homework he would