As morning came, Abigail stepped onto the school grounds, clutching her tumbler of coffee like a lifeline. Sleep had been scarce. Her body still ached in places she didn’t want to admit, and yet there was a subtle brightness on her face that hadn’t been there before.
“Teacher Abby!!!”
Her thoughts were cut off by the sound of little feet slapping against the tiled floor of the hallway. Three of her students ran toward her, arms wide.
She laughed gently, bending slightly despite the stiffness in her hips and welcomed them into a group hug.
“Good morning, my babies,” she greeted, kissing the top of one child’s head.
“You’re pretty today,” one of the girls said, her pigtails bouncing as she tilted her head.
“Yeah!” another chimed in. “Your face is glowing!”
Abigail blinked in surprise
