After School

[Dr. Calvin LaCoste] Semptember - Wednesday - 3:42 p.m.

 [Dr. Calvin LaCoste]

Semptember – Wednesday – 3:42 p.m.

“Orin, really? Is it really that hard to keep a straight face?” Calvin said loosening himself up.

“It’s extremely hard, but thankfully this sore on my left cheek made it easier. I mean, it’s painful to laugh.”

“You are a sick sadist.”

Calvin lightly pinched Orin’s tiny chin with this thumb and forefinger. On instinct, Orin flinched back in surprise. “Let me take a look at that.” He turned his friends head and closely examined the blemish. “He hit you pretty good didn’t he? Does it still hurt when you touch it? How long have you been keeping it iced?”

Orin waved Calvin’s large hand away. “I’m going to stop you right there. You ask way too many questions. Dude, I’m fine. And don’t put your face so close”

 “Hey man, your hand is still cold. I’m just looking out for you. I am an orthopedic doctor you know,” Calvin said smiling concededly while rubbing off Orin’s cold touch.

“A doctor that doesn’t know the meaning of personal space,” Orin murmured almost inaudibly.

Calvin watched as Orin began gathering his books off the desk. “So, what happens if Nick doesn’t follow through?” Calvin said slowly backing towards the door.

“I’m not sure. I was hoping to talk that over with you later tonight.”

“First day of teaching, you get a nice punch to the face, and now you want to get the heck out of here. Welcome to Liberty High!” Calvin exclaimed in his best announcer’s voice.

“Teenagers these days, I just bumped into him by accident and all of sudden he becomes Conan the Barbarian. It’s as if saying ‘sorry’ isn’t enough for them.”

“Relax Orin. The way you are stuffing those books into your bag, you might as well tear out every page.” Calvin was leaning against the doorway watching his friend pack. The last time he saw Orin frustrated about teenagers was in college; where the two met. Calvin had to endure Orin’s rant while researching for his thesis. He didn’t pay much attention to it. All he heard was “two teenagers”, “a dog” and “swing.” The rest was static in his mind.

Orin slung his bag over his shoulder and hastily squeezed his way passed the door and Calvin. “I’m going home first. Do you have a ride later?”

“Not sure yet. I’ll probably have one of the guys give me a ride. If not I’ll give you a call.” Calvin stated as he closed the door. He checked to make sure and it was locked before waving his friend good-bye. Orin was already down the hall in a fast paced power walk. Calvin grinned a minor laugh before walking the other directions towards the football field at the back of the school.

It was a warm afternoon and Calvin enjoyed the fact Liberty High was an outdoor school because he liked the random cool breezes that passed through the halls. He thought the sun was good for the body and soul. He would always encourage the students to be outside, to do stuff, to hang out. He really didn’t mind if they loitered around as long as they were outside. He had been teaching at Liberty for three years and every year he would tell his students that one of the reasons why he started teaching at Liberty was its open hall ways.

“Coach…” Nick was leaning against a brick wall just outside the metals gates of the school. He sounded concerned.

“I don’t want to hear it. I told you to get to practice. You’re already late.”

“Coach here me out.”

“Nick, I told you to get to practice five minutes ago. Get your gear on and get your ass on the field. Now,” Calvin shouted peering down at the boy and pointing to the rest of the fully padded team on the football field doing drills. Calvin continued to shout as Nick ran to the locker room. “Next time you fail to follow orders, I’m going to drive my foot up your ass and make you do drills till it feels natural.”