Excerpt Reveal: That Was Yesterday by HJ Bellus

The front doors of the school burst open. I find myself stepping closer yet remaining a safe distance in the background. Several other parents have pulled in and leaped out of their cars, making it easy to blend in.

A whirl of bright blonde hair followed by giggles and excited chatter fills the afternoon air. A woman with her hair piled up on her head pushes up her black-framed glasses on her nose then does some chant and clap. The little line of students behind her follow and cease all chatter.

I’m not close enough to hear what the woman tells the children. I’m not even sure if she’s a teacher dressed in jean capris and a baseball tee with the school logo on it. She sure in the hell doesn’t look like the teachers did when I was in school. I shake the thoughts from my head and watch her crouch down and high-five each student. Some dive in for a hug while others skip by with a simple wave.

“Holy shit.” I find myself taking a few steps closer when I see him.

I pinch my lips together to keep my emotions contained when I see a little boy with messy brown hair, rich chocolate eyes, and a sad smile on his face. His jeans are worn, and his tennis shoes are on their last thread. My heart constricts in my chest, and my palms go sweaty as I watch the teacher drop to her knee in front of him.

He was the last in line, I’m sure shoved to the back from the other eager students. He reaches up, wiping a stray tear from under his eyes. Kate. This has to be Kate who wraps him up in a full hug, whispering something into his ear. He nods and eventually lets go of her.

HJ Bellus is a small town girl who loves the art of storytelling. When not making readers laugh or cry, she’s a part-time livestock wrangler that can be found in the middle of Idaho, shotgunning a beer while listening to some Miranda Lambert on her Beats and rocking out in her boots.

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