Forever, Gabe June 1926 Houston, Texas Huck stood behind her teacher’s desk and watched twenty-four students crowd out of her classroom as the final bell rang, ending another school year at Sidney Lanier. Summer at last, she thought … well, almost. Even though Huck was an adult, the season still evoked the carefree gladness of uninhibited freedom. Freedom from stale studies and chalk dust. Freedom to run barefoot down a warm sandy lane. Freedom to spend time loving the soul mate of her girlhood dreams. She glanced at the clock as anticipation pulsed through her veins. Three thirty. Only ninety minutes before Gabe would pick her up and their weekend would officially begin. Huck smiled. It was Friday and she couldn’t wait to get home and check the mail. Kicking off her shoes, she plopped down in her chair, mentally organizing tasks for the following Monday. It would be the final workday for teachers. An entire day to turn in grades and ready classrooms for the next school year.
