Teachers

Chapter 1, A New Job

"So Mr. Lester, you can observe our current drama teacher today and tomorrow, then take over for her on Monday.  Sound good?"

"That should be fine."

"Well then, there's nothing else to go over in here.  I'll take you on a brief tour, then you can discuss with Mrs. Mayfield what she's been doing with her class," Principal Sauter said as he pushed his chair back and stood up.  I imitated his actions, then proceeded to follow him out of his office.  I always hated principals' offices, ever since I was a kid.  It's not like I got into a load of trouble; those places just creeped me out. 

As I followed him down the hall, lagging a step behind out of respect, the principal began talking again.  I didn't mind much, it kept him occupied and filled the awkward silence.

"I am very grateful for this, Mr. Lester. It must be hard on you to transfer schools halfway through the term.  Oh there are the boys' bathrooms, there's a separate restroom for the staff, of course, but we like to have teachers check in on the bathrooms during their free periods to make sure the kids aren't doing anything they shouldn't be.  Where was I before I got distracted?  Oh yes, Mrs. Mayfield just can't handle the teens well anymore and Maisie Middle School recommended you to replace her because... well actually I forget exactly...something to do with the budget? Yes, it's always the budget in public schools these days.  That's the teachers' lounge over there Mr. Lester.  Speaking of other teachers, we have another Mr. Lester who works here.  Do you, by chance, know him?"

It actually took me a moment to register that Principal Sauter was waiting for me to answer his question before I replied, "Um no, I don't think so."

"Ah well, you should talk to him sometime.  He's a counselor for the students, though he gives great advice to the teachers as well.  I haven't really gotten to know you, Lester!  You married?  Oh, you are, yes that ring should have told me.  So, what's she like?"

Well, he was diving straight into my personal life.  I didn't really feel comfortable correcting him and saying that in reality, my spouse is a he, so I vaguely described my husband, "Tall, I guess.  Not quite as tall as me, but tall.  And beautiful eyes.  Funny as well."

"Sounds nice I suppose.  Here we are, this is the drama classroom.  You don't really talk much for someone who likes acting.  Now, go ahead, go in, say hi.  I have a job to do," he rushed to say, then, promptly turned away and began power walking back towards his office.

Turning back to the classroom, I nervously fixed my hair before entering.  It was a decent sized room, bigger than my classroom at Maisie had been.  There were desks, maybe ten, pushed haphazardly into the corners at the far side of the room.  Five or so chairs were stacked alongside the desks, threatening to topple over at any moment.  About fifteen chairs were situated in a loose semi circle with their backs to the jumble of furniture, and a good view of an open bit of floor in front of a chalkboard. Yesterday's date was scrawled in the top left corner, and a teacher's desk was located just to the right of the board.  Behind the desk sat an elderly woman who I guessed was Mrs. Mayfield.  She had her eyes closed, and I couldn't tell if she was asleep or not.

I coughed quietly to alert her of my presence, "Hello ma'am, I'm Mr. Lester, your replacement.  I'm supposed to observe your class today."

One of her eyes crept open, and was quickly followed by the other.  She sighed, shuffled a bit in her chair, then let her eyes wander over me.  "Not bad.  They could've done much worse.  The kids will love you. A handsome young man, they'll be glad to get rid of me."

"No, no, I bet they all love you. You've been teaching here forever, right?  Your students will miss you."

She threw her head back and cackled, "Polite and kind too?  Some of the loyal ones might miss me, but the rest will love you.  You don't even have to be a great teacher!  At least half of the girls and most likely a few boys will definitely fancy you!  The only thing they won't like is that ring you've got on your finger," she added as she glanced down at my left hand. 

I laughed nervously, "I guess you're right.  You know the kids and I don't."

"I know I'm right," she stated proudly, "I may be old, but I'm wise.  Now, students should be arriving soon.  I haven't got a homeroom, so I'll use that time to explain what I'm teaching at the moment."

~~~
So I don't really know where I'm going with this or if I'll ever write more than two chapters, but I guess I'll wait and see.  And I'm trying to at least have decent grammar and spelling...