The Monday morning sun peeked through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the kitchen counter as Sarah poured coffee into two mugs. Ryan came down the stairs, his hair still damp from the shower.
"You ready?" she asked.
"As I'll ever be," he muttered, grabbing a piece of toast.
They rode in comfortable silence through the winding roads of Rosehill, the school just ahead—tucked between old trees and a football field that had seen decades of cheers and heartbreaks.
As they stepped into the main office, the woman behind the counter glanced up and did a double take.
"Well, I'll be…" she stood up with a smile. "Sarah Whitmore?"
Sarah's eyes widened. "Mrs. Talbot?"
The two women laughed and met in a warm hug.
"You haven't changed a bit," Mrs. Talbot said, pulling back. "Well, maybe just a little around the eyes. But still—Sarah Whitmore, back in Rosehill. Never thought I'd see the day."
Sarah smiled. "Life has a funny way of circling back."
Mrs. Talbot looked over at Ryan. "And this must be your boy?"
"Ryan," Sarah said. "Ryan, this is Mrs. Talbot. She was my English teacher."
"Nice to meet you," Ryan said, giving a polite nod.
Mrs. Talbot's eyes twinkled. "You know, your mom used to sit right in the back row of my classroom, always doodling on her notebook. She pretended not to care, but her essays told a different story. Sharp mind. A little stubborn, though."
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Some things don't change."
Mrs. Talbot chuckled. "You'll like it here, Ryan. The school's grown a little, but the heart of it's still the same. I'll help you get your schedule sorted. And hey—if you ever want to take a stab at writing, you'll find a place in my creative writing class."
Ryan glanced at Sarah, surprised. She just gave him a soft, knowing smile.
As Mrs. Talbot began pulling files, Sarah leaned in to Ryan and whispered, "She gave me my first journal. Told me stories matter."
Ryan looked at the teacher again, maybe with a little more respect.
Maybe this village wasn't just about the past—it might hold something for his future, too.