Chapter Text
This book fair was going to be shorter and that was the saving grace for Mel.
It was only three days long so Mrs. Branch had vetoed any help from the PTA, telling them to focus on the end of year celebrations instead. The PTA was agreeable to this, as many had 5th graders or Kindergarteners who had celebrations planned.
Mel was just happy she didn’t have to work around Abby again. Don’t get her wrong, Abby seemed to be doing a great job with the PTA. She got food donated by local businesses for the staff and rallied more volunteers for school events like the carnival or field day. It just made Mel feel a teensy bit insecure because she knew Abby didn’t like her. It was so obvious.
Mrs. Branch also told her there technically wasn’t going to be a family night this time, but a family day where families could come in after the Kindergarten celebration, as it was the major family-driven event that was happening at the same time as the book fair.
This made Mel even happier about the whole situation as now she didn’t have to do any unpaid labor.
It was the same six cases, but less… bulky? Not as many books. There were still a decent amount, but not the massive amount like normal.
It was definitely the least stressful set up they had ever had, and they had even got to get some of the 5th graders in on it! Mel loved having them help out whenever they could. Two boys, Harrison and Logan, helped to flip books around and place the tape for pricing.
The boys were making quick work of everything they set them on, so Mel just stood back against her desk. This felt more like a break, and so late into the school year, she was okay with that.
Mrs. Branch came up beside her, watching the 5th grade boys as well.
“On the day of the kindergarten performance, if you want to go watch, I’d be okay with that.” She said calmly, looking over at Mel with a smile.
Mel looked over at her, tilting her head with an eyebrow raised. “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you unattended.”
Mrs. Branch laughed, eyes going back to the 5th graders. “Honey, I’m three years from retiring. I can handle an hour by myself.”
Her cheeks burned. She didn’t think Mrs. Branch couldn’t handle it, she just felt… bad.
“I know you’ve bonded with a lot of them this year. I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you in the audience, Miss King.”
Mel pursed her lips before breathing out, nodding. “Yeah. Okay, you’re right. I do really want to go.” She gave a meek smile.
📚📖°•☆•°📖📚
The book fair had been predictably slow that day. Most of the older kids had come running in the first day, and the young ones were a slow trickle in. Nothing they couldn’t handle.
Mrs. Branch waved Mel away, knowing the Kindergarten celebration was to start soon.
Slipping out of the doors to the Library, Mel walked down the path to the cafeteria where the stage was located, listening to her badge rustle on her lanyard. It was rhythmic, in a way.
The halls were actually quiet right now, she supposed they had already ushered the little ones behind the stage.
As the cafeteria came into view, CSO Long nodded to her through the glass, moving to open up the door so she didn’t have to use her badge.
She gave a wave, walking in and quickly taking a spot standing in the back. She didn’t need a chair, didn’t need to get up close. It’d actually probably be better in the back. Kindergarteners were loud.
“Mel?” She heard a whisper come from her left. Turning her head, she saw him.
Frank Langdon.
“Oh! Hi, Frank!” Mel whispered out, a smile coming to her face naturally. “You here to watch Tanner?”
He nodded, looking back out to the stage where the introductions had started.
“Yup. I’m so proud of my little guy.” He had a certain twinkle to his eye, and he did truly look so proud.
“He’s going to be an amazing first grader.”
They watch the program for a bit before Mel decided to continue talking.
“So, why are you back here? I heard some from PTA saved seats up front for their family.” She couldn’t help but ask. Genuinely, she was curious and it was an innocent question.
Frank took a deep breath at this and Mel felt her tummy go a bit cold. Okay, maybe that wasn’t a good question? Instantly she regretted it.
“Sorry, I – you don’t have to answer that.” She pressed her lips together, deciding to just be quiet and watch the performance.
“Hey, don’t be sorry. There’s no need to be sorry.” Frank replied, leaning back against the wall, still watching the stage. “Abby didn’t want me to sit with her or Penny.” He shrugged, like it didn’t affect him all that much. But it did.
She wasn’t sure what to say to that so she didn’t say anything at all.
The kindergarten celebration continued on stage. It was a cute performance, all three kindergarten classes putting on their best performance and cheering their little hearts out.
Frank cheered just as loud whenever Tanner was on the stage. Mel could feel the love radiating from him. It was sweet, to see someone loved that much.
When the program was over, the kids were released off the stage in a sea of waving arms and cheerful giggles. Mel was going to take this time to slip away back to the library, however that changed when some of the kids noticed her.
She gave out some hugs, told them their performance was amazing – of course – and did some polite small talk with parents.
Frank still hung out by the wall, not making any movements towards the front, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw some of the PTA members watching him with wary looks.
When she was finally able to make her way to the exit, she noticed that Tanner had made his way to his dad. Good, she thought to herself. Penny was there too, hoisted in Frank’s arms, her little face buried in his neck.
“MISS KING!! MISS KING!!” She heard his little voice say excitedly. Realizing she couldn’t get away just yet, Mel turned to smile and give the boy a big hug.
“Hi Tanner!” She started, looking down at him. “You did so good up there!”
Tanner stepped back, moving to grab at Frank’s free hand. Mel noticed Abby was not around right now.
“Daddy said so too! He says you watched me together!”
Mel nodded, putting her hands in her jeans pockets. “We did! He was just so happy to see you, Tanner.” It was the truth, so she went with it. “I have to go back to the library now, but you enjoy your time with your daddy and sissy!”
With that, she began to walk out.
“C’mon Daddy, we’re going to the book fair!” Tanner then declared.
📚📖°•☆•°📖📚
The book fair was beginning to get a bit busy by the time Mel made it back to the library, though it was nothing like the previous family nights.
Some families were shopping around, and there were some older kids who seemed to have gotten more money.
She should be helping Mrs. Branch check people out.
Should be.
Yet here she was, standing next to Frank while Tanner excitedly tugged on her arm, asking her to help him pick out a book.
She was being a nice educator, Mel told herself. Tanner wanted her help, and who was she to deny the child that?
The question slipped out before she could stop herself.
“Why isn’t Abby with you guys?” It was quiet, she honestly didn’t think he’d hear it over the chatter of the children. She handed another book to Tanner for him to look over.
“Yeah… Part of our agreement right now is that she got the kids before the program and I got them after.” He replied, just as quiet, before grunting and placing Penny down. He held out some of the pre-school books, showing them to her.
Mel’s eyebrows furrowed. “Agreement?”
Frank sighed, looking around before leaning in closer to Mel, whispering in her ear, “Don’t mention anything to Tanner but Abby asked for a divorce,” before pulling back.
“Oh.”
Oh.
Oh no.
Looking down at Tanner and Penny standing side by side, Tanner showing Penny a book excitedly, it made her heart hurt.
She hated seeing families torn apart and a frown graced her lips.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
One hand on each child’s head, Frank ruffled their hair. “I’m going to try to get her back. Make it work. For them.”
Tanner excitedly showed his dad a book, and the conversation naturally teetered off.
For some reason, his words ‘I’m going to try to get her back’ made her a bit disappointed.
📚📖°•☆•°📖📚
The last day of school came by quick. Mel stood in the hallway with bubbles, cheering for the 5th graders as they did their final walk through the halls they had called school, some for all six years.
Harrison hugged her crying and she assured him he’d do great in Middle School.
It was always a bittersweet send-off and Mel would genuinely miss a lot of the 5th graders
Afterwards, it was time for dismissal duty. Mel quickly went to the car rider line. She was in charge of watching the kids while they waited for their names to be called out.
She gave more hugs and more saddened goodbyes, promising the other children they would see each other next year.
She spotted Tanner and gave him a wave, the little boy responding enthusiastically with his own wave.
“Tanner Langdon!” Came the call to go to his car, and he ran over to Mel first, giving her a big hug before making his way to the SUV waiting for him.
The rest of pick-ups went fine but Mel was emotionally exhausted by the time she made it to her jeep, slumping behind the wheel.
There was a staff end of year luncheon provided the PTA that was optional to attend, and she decided that personally, she just wanted to go curl up in bed and watch old documentaries.
Mel needed some time to decompress before her summer job began.