Within two weeks my license for substitute teaching came in the mail.  I immediately notified the school district, and they put my name on the list of people to call.  It had been Harvey's idea that I try substitute teaching.  He took me up to the school to apply.  When we walked out of the building, the sun was out and little streams of melted snow were racing down the pavement.  At the bottom of the stairs was a deep puddle that I didn't see, and I stepped into it, soaking my tennis shoes and socks.  I laughed.  Harvey apologized for not alerting me to the obstacle.  I shook my head.  "It feels good," I said.  "Spring is wet.  Now I can literally feel that it's on its way."
    "Yeah, time goes by fast."  Harvey looked away.  We hadn't been talking about his leaving, although I did admit that I wasn't going to be heading out of the area any time soon. 
    I touched him on the arm and smiled.  "This temporary gig at the school is perfect for me.  I'm really grateful that you thought of it and helped me follow through."
   He smiled halfheartedly.  We got into his car and went back to my house.  We made dinner and turned on a Quentin Tarantino movie.  We held each other on the couch, paying about as much attention to Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece as a student absorbed in thoughts does to a teacher.