After Andy returned to her seat, Ms. Jaquays announced that they were all to line up and head for the multi-purpose room. When Andy and her classmates came parading in, I was waiting for them. Earlier in the week the students had been told that an author was coming in for a talk, but in their excitement and anticipation for their Christmas break, they had mostly forgotten about it. So in came Andy with her classmates and when she saw me, the look on her face was that of utter astonishment.
"What are you doing here, Aunt Noel?" she asked, giving me a huge hug.
Hugging her back, I felt tears welling up. We had done it, Andy's teacher, Andy's mother, and I. We had managed to surprise her after weeks of planning.
If Andy felt a little embarrassed before, she probably felt even more embarrassed during my presentation. I like to think, though, that she was also secretly very pleased. I read a chapter from the book and explained how Andy helped with my manuscript. I also talked about the creative process, the steps I took in the writing of the book, and then the magical hour was over. Another hug and Andy went back to class with her teacher, and Andy's mother and I left to go back to work.
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The story behind the story. Andy will remember that moment for the rest of her life. How many school children have their Aunt come in and talk to the entire school about a book dedicated to her? Very unique.
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