After hockey, then work, I felt exhausted, so I drove home. I was running late by the time I returned to the library for the support group. Timmy had already set up the chairs, all of them filled but mine.
“Sorry.” I apologised as I dropped into it. “I went home after my shift, I really needed to have a shower after hockey.”
“Well,” Timmy offered, passing the news bear over to me. “You can start with your news.”
“Alright, thank you.” I cradled the news bear. “I’m having a big week, it’s safe to say. I’m doing my first uni prac at a primary school in the Blue Mountains, which is pretty much just watching a teacher at this stage.”
“Which degree are you studying?” Dean wanted to know.
“A double degree in arts and primary and secondary education,” I answered.
“That’s broad,” Brigitta commented. “You’re well and truly keeping your options open. Do you even know what you want to do with yourself yet?”
I drew my eyebrows a little closer together, a tad taken aback by her accusatory tone.
“Not really,” I admitted, matter-of-factly, “but a lot of things are new for me now. I’ve been used to a lot of family support and now I haven’t had that just the same in the last few months. I’m interested in teaching and the prac’s been interesting, so that’s really a strong possibility, I think.”
The younger sister of missing Sydney man Mitchell del Reyan, Nina del Reyan lives on Dharug land in western Sydney. She has recently commenced a teaching degree at Macquarie University. Nina loves her family and friends and is deeply committed to finding answers and justice for the families of missing people.
Abbey Sim is the founder of Huldah Media. She is a creative writing, law and theology student who lives on the lands of the Dharug people in Sydney, Australia. Abbey desires to explore themes of hope, love and longing through her storytelling. She is the author of 'Shadow' and 'From the Wild'.