Nikki & Deja Substitute Trouble

Something not so good happens the first Monday after Deja gets her puppy, Ms. Precious Penelope. She wants so much to write about her new pet in her morning journal and then read it to the class when Ms. Shelby-Ortiz asks if there is anyone who would like to share. She pictures herself being one of the only kids to throw a hand up and wave it in the air. Deja imagines reading her entry and Ms. Shelby-Ortiz smiling with approval and surprise that Deja is using so many supporting details and descriptive adjectives. But something not so good happens to that picture in her head. Ms. Shelby-Ortiz is not there!
When the whole class is lined up nicely and quietly, waiting to be led into the school, Deja sees an unfamiliar person heading their way across the yard. It’s a man! A substitute teacher! Where is Ms. Shelby-Ortiz? Where is their beautiful teacher, who just got married a few months ago and has done that fancy thing with her name (which Deja is going to do with her name too, when she finally grows up and marries)? The substitute walks right up to the line and stands there in front of the class without saying anything. Nikki, Deja’s best friend, looks back at her and frowns. Good. Nikki feels just the same as Deja. That is the good thing about best friends.
Most of the time, they feel just like you do.