Lessons Learned (39 page)

Knowing the crowd would be crazy and we’d have zero chance of finding each other, the five of us had made plans to meet at a nearby restaurant for lunch. The place was busy, so Lucas had gone inside to reserve a table while I waited outside on the bench. I’d just finished calling the babysitter to check on Gracie when I heard my name being called from the parking lot. Glancing up, I saw Matt running toward me, and I started to rise.

“No, don’t get up!”

“Matt, I’m just pregnant. I’m not dead.”

“Still,” he muttered as he sat down on the bench next to me. “You need to rest, Miss Bray . . . sorry, Mrs. Miller.”

I smirked. “I keep telling you it’s time you called me Sarah.”

“Nah, too weird.”

I shook my head. We’d had this discussion so many times over the past four years.

“You look good in that hat,” I said, grinning at his graduation cap perched on his head.

“You think?”

I nodded. “Very smart.”

Smiling, he lifted the hat off his head and placed it on top of mine.

“I want you to have it, Miss Bray.” He grinned at the use of my maiden name. “You’re still the smartest and strongest person I’ve ever met.”

Tears flooded my eyes.

“Matt, I can’t accept—”

“Yes you can,” he said softly. “You taught me how to be a good teacher, Miss Bray. You deserve it, and I want you to take it home with you. I want you to show it your little girl, and when she asks what it is, tell her it’s not just some stupid graduation cap. Tell her it’s a symbol of love, and that love saved the life of your favorite English student.”

My husband returned to find me a sobbing mess.

Matt looked horrified. “I didn’t mean to make her cry, Mr. Miller.”

Lucas chuckled and kissed my hair. By now, he was used to my hormonal crying jags.

Moments later, Matt’s parents arrived and we shared hugs before the happy graduate led us all inside. As the hostess led us to our table, Lucas gently pulled me aside. Grinning down at me, he kissed me tenderly.

“Your smile is beautiful, Mrs. Miller.”

I sighed contently and wrapped my arms around his neck.

“So is theirs,” I whispered, kissing him softly, “and so is yours.”

Book Club Discussion Questions

1. Sarah struggled with religion, especially after the death of her parents. Can you relate to Sarah’s shaken faith? If so, did you find your peace?
   
2. While Lucas and Sarah may have had grounds to sue Principal Mullins for his blackmail, do you think that was a viable option for either of them?
   
3. Do you think Lucas, Sarah, and Matt “ran” away from their problems by leaving Sycamore Falls?
   
4. Have you ever been bullied or been witness to it? How did you handle the situation?
   
5. If you were Matt’s mother or father, how would you have reacted to the news that your son is gay?
   
6. Did your perception of the people of Sycamore Falls change throughout the course of the book? 
   
7. Sarah and Monica’s friendship changed dramatically once Sarah returned to Sycamore Falls. Do you think they ever reconnected?
   
8. How realistic was the characterization? Would you want to meet any of the characters? 
   
9. If you could write an alternate ending for the book, how would you write it?
   
10. If you were asked to choose your favorite scene from the book, which would you choose and why?