A Pumpkin and a Patch

by Jennifer Peel

She gave me a look that said she knew exactly where I was coming from. “I should say, men who see you for who you really are and want you to see that woman, too, are the worst.” Yes. So much yes. “I take it Noah is one of them.” “He is the king of them.” “Well then, Reece is the prince.” “It’s hard to be with someone who’s so self-assured when you’re not.” She was preaching to the choir. “Amen. So, how did you make it work?” “I found me. All of me again.” I was afraid that was the answer. “What if you feel like you lost yourself at fifteen?” “That’s tough, but I think you owe it to that girl to find her. She turned out to be a fantastic woman.” “I don’t know about that.” “I do. Being a good teacher alone makes you a hero in my book. But look at Reece; do you think he would really choose to pursue someone who isn’t amazing? He’s not just thinking about himself. He has a daughter, and I know he wants the best for her.” I wanted the best for Andi, too. For all my students. “I appreciate your kind words.” Truly, I did. I just wished I could know they were true. “They’re not just words.” She patted my back. “But I know how hard it is to believe them when you don’t feel them. You’ll get there.” She was much more confident in my abilities than I was. “How did you find yourself?” I had to know. She let out a heavy breath. “I had to do the toughest thing I’ve ever done. I had to face myself and stop hiding behind all the hurt and anger.”