Read Kindergarten Baby: A Novel for Free Online

about the five dancing girls. It just leaves itself open for a variety of odd interpretations. How about five dancing deer? We have some mule deer in the area.”
    Judy agreed, and they wrapped up their little meeting. Lindsey thanked her for her time, then turned to go. “Next week in my class,” she said over her shoulder, “I think we might read The Tortilla Factory by Gary Paulsen. Do you know how to make tortillas?”
    Judy laughed. “Does a chupacabra suck blood?”
    Not sure how to reply, Lindsey nodded, then left the room with a smile on her face.
    ***
    Cooking had never been Lindsey’s claim to fame, but she’d managed to create special, tasty meals for Anthony. But now, with only herself to feed, meals were less than pitiful. Even calling them “meals” was a misnomer. She couldn’t bear to sit at the table alone. Most of her nourishment was taken in the form of a snack while she read, graded papers, or doodled in her plan book.
    Tonight was no different, except that her cupboards were so bare she couldn’t even whip up a snack. And it was too late to go shopping. She decided to call China Village and order take-out, something she hadn’t done since Anthony had left. While she waited for the delivery, she watched The Christmas Story, chuckling at the part where the neighbor’s dogs come in and eat the entire Christmas turkey right off the table. Unfortunately, that reminded her of Wendell, and the turkey reminded her of how hungry she was. Lately, it seemed she was always hungry.
    The doorbell chimed, and since it was beginning to rain, she invited the handsome young delivery driver in while she searched her purse for her debit card.
    “Your kids will eat Chinese food?” the driver asked. “I thought it was totally gross until I got to college. That’s when I developed a taste for it.”
    She gave him an awkward smile. “I, uh, I don’t have any kids.”
    “Oh!” he exclaimed. “I’m sorry, ma’am. It’s just that I saw Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and How The Grinch Stole Christmas lying there on the table, and I assumed—”
    “Oh, that’s all right. I’m a teacher, so I have lots of children’s books around. Do you go to the U?”
    “Yes, ma’am. I’m studying psychology.”
    Before Lindsey knew it, they were deep in conversation about children’s cognitive development. Finally, the delivery guy lifted one hand.
    “Hey, I’m sorry. I’ve distracted you. Your food is going get cold. I should go.”
    Lindsey looked at the bags of food with horror, realizing for the first time what she’d done: ordered enough for both her and Anthony. The realization was like a physical pain in her gut.
    “That’s not a problem. I really needed a distraction,” she said. “When I was in college, I was often hungry from lack of a decent meal. Do you ever feel that way?”
    He smiled. “Oh yes, ma’am.”
    She chuckled, enjoying his enthusiasm. “Well, if you’ll agree to stop calling me ma’am, I’ll share some of this delicious food with you. Can you stay?”
    The moment the words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back. Inviting a total stranger to have dinner with her? Here, in her home? What was she thinking?
    “Yes, ma’am.” He stopped himself. “I mean…‌what is your name?”
    “Lindsey,” she said, slightly apprehensive. “Lindsey Sommerfield. What’s yours?”
    “Jake Lee. And, no, I’m not Chinese.”
    They both laughed, and he told her that she was his last delivery, so it really was okay for him to stay and eat. He wouldn’t have to go back in as long as he called in.
    “I do have one problem, though,” he said, hesitating. “It’s getting really cold out, and my dog‌—‌well, he’s not exactly my dog, but the dog is in my Jeep, and I’m afraid he is going to get too cold and scared if I leave him there much longer. He seems so sad and—”
    “Don’t say another word,” said Lindsey. “I completely