by Rob Buyea
“The world would be a beautiful place if it were full of Annas,” he whispered to me. “You’ve helped us all by being nothing but good.”
I squeezed him. The world would be a beautiful place if it were full of Mr. Terupts, I thought. As I took my seat and looked out over the audience, I saw a couple of people left for me to help. That was where the secret plan came in.
During the wedding reception all the single girls would gather on the dance floor, ready for the bride to throw her bouquet over her shoulder. The girl who caught the bouquet was supposed to be the next to get married. After Grandma Evelyn gave my mom and Charlie her stamp of approval, Danielle and I knew we had to get that bouquet into my mom’s hands. With some sneaky pushing and maneuvering, we jockeyed my mom front and center on the dance floor.
“On three,” Peter announced with his DJing microphone. “One-two-three.”
The flowers sailed through the air, and Danielle and I used our bodies to keep everyone else away. Mr. Terupt told us afterward that we looked like a couple of basketball players boxing out for a rebound—whatever that meant. The important thing was, Mom caught the bouquet. When she looked up she smiled at Charlie. He smiled back and shrugged. Danielle and I hurried off and gave Grandma Evelyn a high five. She was the one who helped us hatch the scheme.
What a wonderful ending! I couldn’t wait to plan the next wedding.
Mr. Terupt gave me a wink from across the dance floor. He knew I liked playing matchmaker, and I was pretty good at it too.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Mr. T planted a big one on Ms. Newberry. It was long, but nothing crazy. I bet Ms. Newberry wouldn’t have tasted like salt. She looked beautiful. Mr. T was a lucky man.
I threw one heck of a party. Just like Mr. T wanted. I kept the music pumping and the dancing never slowed. There was one song that everyone will remember—“It Had to Be You” by Harry Connick Jr. I played it at Mr. T’s request. Mr. and Mrs. Terupt brought down the house with a swing dance that’ll never be forgotten. After that everyone stayed on the floor and danced the night away, including me. I danced with the foxy Mrs. Terupt. Miss Catalina. Mrs. Williams! My mom! And yes, Lexie.
“It’s time, Peter,” Mr. T said. He was standing beside me at the DJing table, smiling as he looked at all the people having fun. “It’s time to forgive yourself.”
I turned and grabbed him in a hug. “Okay,” I said. “Okay.”
He squeezed me harder.
It was a shame the night had to end, but I knew there were more good times ahead. The lovely Mr. and Mrs. Terupt wouldn’t be far away, and I would be with my friends. As I walked down new school halls next year, I wouldn’t be remembering the worst thing I’d ever done, but the best days of my life—these past two years with Mr. T.
I’ve heard Jessica talk about happy endings before. She loves them. After Mr. and Mrs. Terupt showed everyone how to let loose with their big-time swing dance, I looked across the dance floor and saw Dad spinning and twirling Mom. Then I looked down and saw Asher bending his knees and bouncing. No one had a bigger smile or felt better than me at that moment. It was a happy ending—a very happy ending.
Many boys dream of being like their favorite football or baseball player when they grow up. Others of being president. I used to think I wanted to be an astronaut. Then a chemist. Then a detective.
Conclusion
—I have no idea what I’ll end up doing, but I do know I want to be like Mr. Terupt.
Mr. Luke Bennett
JESSICA VO
I love to read. I’ve read stories upon stories. For whatever reason, fairy tales have always been my least favorite, yet I still can’t help but feel that we’ve been part of one. Our valiant prince, Mr. Terupt, fought for his life along the way, spread good to all his kingdom, and eventually found true love with his beautiful princess, Ms. Newberry. And yes, now they’ll live happily ever after.
FADE OUT.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many people have helped along the way. I give my sincere thanks to all of you, no matter how small a part you might think you’ve played.
To all the teachers and librarians who have embraced Mr. Terupt and his students.
To the booksellers who have put Mr. Terupt in the hands of parents and kids.
To Sarah and Noah Burstein for being excellent readers.
To John Irving for your incredible wisdom and true friendship. You’re a great coach.
To Paul Fedorko for your time and continued work on my behalf.
To Françoise Bui for your insightful comments and feedback, for your honesty, and for all your hard work.
To all my friends and family, who have not only done plenty to spread the word, but have provided rock-solid support and positive encouragement. I can’t thank you enough.
To my beautiful daughters, Emma, Lily, and Anya, who allow me to find time to write by not getting up as early as me. To Emma for being my first reader, and to Lily and Anya, who I know are right behind their big sister. And to my faithful dog, Jake, who has me getting up even earlier as he gets older and can’t hold it all night long. You make sure I get out of bed.
And lastly, to Beth, who does it all. Thank you. I love you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ROB BUYEA taught third and fourth graders in Bethany, Connecticut, for six years before moving to Massachusetts, where he lives with his wife and three daughters. He teaches biology and coaches wrestling at Northfield Mount Hermon School. Because of Mr. Terupt, his first novel and the companion to Mr. Terupt Falls Again, was selected as an E. B. White Read-Aloud Honor Book and a Cybils Honor Book and has been named to numerous state award lists. Rob spends his summers at Cape Cod enjoying family adventures, entertaining friends, and writing. You can visit him at robbuyea.com.
