The Calling

Woman in Black (Chapter 4)

    The next morning went similar to the previous one although James did wake up slightly more enthusiastic due to going to bed early. After the usual 5 o’clock mass which he served to no more than five people much to his disappointment, he returned home to prepare himself for school. Since James usually only performed the morning Eucharist service, he taught Geography at the villages’ only school - not an easy task; although he enjoyed it. Thomas would usually perform the evening mass but since being summoned by the bishop in Belfast, James would have to do that as well today. Quite a hectic day ahead he thought, but he liked challenges. He preferred to do something extraordinary and reach out to people in schools and hospitals rather than spend the day alone. Wearing his neatly ironed brown cassock which he took much pride in since it made him look very spiritually and physically attractive, he boarded the staff school bus outside.

Once at school, James walked swiftly towards the staff-room to check his daily timetable. ‘One 9th grade class and two 8th grade classes’ he murmured to himself just as Mr. Callaghan walked in. He was the new vice-principal who shared no liking for priest-teachers.

‘Good Morning Father James’ he said in an oily voice. ‘Hello Mr. Callaghan’ replied James.  ‘We’ve got a new Biology teacher from Dublin, Father James’ he said. ‘A Ms. Cathleen McCarthy. The education board sent her here due to the lack of qualified teachers’ he continued. James looked puzzled. ‘Being her first day at the school, I’d like you to show her around Father James’ said Mr. Callaghan quite sternly. To James it didn’t seem like an option, it was an order. ‘No worries’ replied James. ‘Where can I find her?’ he asked again. ‘At the library’ the grumpy vice-principal replied.

James walked down the hallway hoping to find this new teacher. He hoped she would be someone smart and cheerful, unlike much of the people around. Just as he entered the library, the morning bell rang. He was late for class, but he couldn’t help it. Upon entering the large gothic-style library that contained thousands of dusty books that were never touched by the school’s uninterested teenagers, he saw a woman sat in the corner reading a travel magazine. Since being the only person in the room, he assumed her to be the woman he was looking for. ‘Ms. McCarthy?’ he asked softly. She looked up at him. ‘Yes?’ she said quite stunned that someone knew her name. ‘I’m Father James. Mr. Callaghan asked me to show you around’ he said. She immediately stood up and placed the magazine on the table. ‘Nhoyce tuh mheet yoo’ she said in a rather strong Irish accent. James smiled warmly. ‘I’ve actually got a class now’ he said somewhat sheepishly. ‘Although you could join me for it Ms. McCarthy and soon after I’ll show you around’ he then said. ‘Call me Cathleen’ she replied with a smile and proceeded to follow James to his class.

Once in it, she sat at the back and observed James’ lesson. James did his best to make the bored 8th graders understand the concept of latitudes and longitudes, although he was well aware of Cathleen’s presence. She was a fair young woman with dark brown hair and golden streaks than ran through it. Wearing a long black dress which seemed too grand for the occasion, her slim figure made her look heavenly. Even the very hormonal-charged 15 year old lads in the class kept peering back at her; making her blush slightly.

Soon after the class had ended, she approached James in the empty room. James gulped, unable to speak as she smiled at him. He looked towards the door and they both proceeded outside. Walking through the stone corridors of the large building, they made a fitting couple - or so the students thought. James, in his brown cassock and blond hair with blue eyes that could pierce the heart of anyone he looked at with lust; while Cathleen, in her long black dress and high heels that could make a man go crazy over her figure. He showed her around the school building while she smiled cheerfully at everyone James introduced her to. All was fun until Scrooge had to spoil it. She thanked James for the tour and walked away with Mr. Callaghan to the office. James hoped that wasn’t the last of her.