Can’t wait for you to meet some of these kids. Thanks for taking time out to make it happen.

Gabe texted back first.

Wouldn’t miss it. See you in a few.

Ava took a full ten minutes to respond.

Here. He did great aside from the items he swiped off the counter.

This text was followed by bread, apple, banana, and hairbrush emojis.

Please tell me he didn’t eat the hairbrush.

He didn’t, but you owe me a new one.

After half a minute, a new text arrived, this one a photo of a mangled hairbrush.

Laughing, Olivia sent a thumbs-up and a thankful emoji, then returned her phone to her purse. The bus driver exited Interstate 44 and was heading along the ramp toward Webster Groves when Olivia rose to her knees, facing the students, to relay a handful of last-minute instructions.

“Listen up, kids!” She clapped her hands to get their attention and waited till she had it to continue. “We’ll be there in just a couple of minutes. Most importantly, remember to keep together until I take another head count after we get off the bus. This is my first real-life field trip with students all on my own. And for those of you who have someone meeting you here, just a reminder that your mom or dad or guardian needs to sign you out tonight before you leave. If not… Let’s not even go there. Raise your hands please so I know you understand and are in agreement.”

It took a quick repeat of the last part of instructions, but all fourteen kids had arms raised overhead by the time they pulled into the parking lot.

“Great.” She clamped a hand over her heart. “I also want to say that you guys are amazing kids. Each and every one of you. Thank you for everything you did to make this happen. More than anything else, the compassion and enthusiasm you’ve all shown for this makes my year.”

From the middle of the bus, one of the girls practically squealed. “That’s your dog by that tree, isn’t it? I recognize him from your pictures.”

Olivia ducked her head to look out the window. She spotted her sister waiting with Morgan off to the side of the parking lot. He had one back leg raised and was doing his business. “Yep! In the flesh. And you guys can thank my sister for turning down a spur-of-the-moment afternoon property showing to get him here.”

“Can we get a picture with him for the student paper?” Addison asked.

“Of course. And I’m sure the social media guru here will want to post it as well.”