Teacher of the Year (Teachers in Love, #1)

by M.A. Wardell

“Olan is not perfect. He has a past, but everything you’ve told me says he’s doing the work to be better. He is better. Clearly. You talk about ‘the drinking’ but Marvin, is he drinking? Now? No. Your mother isn’t perfect. But Marvin, she was a single parent. And not of her own choosing. I’m not making excuses but try putting yourself in her shoes. She hasn’t had a drink in twelve years. I know she hurt you, but can you maybe entertain she’s trying to make amends? Your childhood wasn’t perfect, but buddy, show me someone’s whose was. Now get ready for the big one. Newsflash: You are not perfect. Olan’s right. You put way too much into work. Your anxiety can be crippling. You avoid life because you’re petrified. And you, too, have a past, and right now, it’s preventing you from your present. Nobody is perfect. But when you find someone whose imperfections complement yours and help you both be better versions of yourselves, you choose to make it work.” As Jill lectures me, my hand travels up to my earlobe, my fingers rubbing it slowly. She doesn’t often raise her voice with me, but I don’t often go off the rails with a man like Olan. “But, how am I supposed to…” “Stop it. Stop making excuses. Meditate. Medicate. Go to therapy. Figure it out. Because if you blow it with a guy like Olan, you’ll have to live with that regret for the rest of your life.”

Jill is the best kind of friend.