After School

[Mrs. Debbie Wittman] September - Friday - 4:22 p.m.

 [Mrs. Debbie Wittman]

 September - Friday - 4:22 p.m.

Debbie exited stage left, and out the double doors of the North gym in frustration. Each year Mrs. Atkins, the drama teacher, wanted to go bigger in every production of the fall play. And each year there wasn’t enough money or resources to put on the production. But somehow Mrs. Atkins was able to find a way. This year Mrs. Atkins wanted to utilize the whole North gym’s basketball court as a stage. “A 3D experience that no school as ever seen in theater,” was how Mrs. Atkins put it.

Last year it was the Broadway puppeteer version of The Lion King. Volunteers, donations, and cooperation from the city allowed the production to be held at the Downtown Amphitheater. Although all the proceeds did benefit the school, Debbie knew there was some kind illegal operation going on behind her back. Many of the students that participated in the play would never in a million years be caught on stage let alone be able to cooperate with each other. When Debbie questioned the students, many similarly said that “It was for school pride.”

This year Debbie had a plan. She gave Mrs. Atkins the green light, but gave her a very limited budget to pull it off. She wanted to monitor every move that Mrs. Atkins was doing in order what really was going on.

This year’s production was going to be Beauty and the Beast.

Debbie hastily raced to her office. She took the long way around the school to throw off those who wanted to stop her and ask for more money. It was always about money with everyone. The schools yearly budget was cut again right before the first semester started; just when all the yearly requests started to happen.

The coaches wanted new gym equipment. The pep squad wanted new uniforms. The art and science teachers had to have new supplies. All these wants yet none need them. Debbie kept trying to keep in mind the long term usage everything is bought with in the budget. New gym equipment was bought three years ago, the pep squad design for the new uniforms are too racy, and the school wouldn’t have to keep buy new supplies if the teachers would just teach the students to be more careful with them.

Debbie rounded the corner of the music building and a faint sound of music was being played. She recognized it as a piece by Chopin. “Raindrop Prelude”, she whispered to herself.

She curiously made her way to the chorus room, her heels softly clopping not to disrupt the sound. The door was opened halfway. Just as she placed one hand on the edge of the door a young figure dared to slip out.

“Emily,” Debbie said in surprise.

Emily responded in the same manner. “Mom.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I heard Mr. McCale playing and I wanted to listen. I was just heading to your office right now.”

Debbie looked at her daughter to assess the answer. In the back of her mind she figured something was odd. “Okay, I’ll meet you at my office. I’ll be there in a bit; I have to speak with Mr. McCale.”

Emily lugged her over stuffed backpack full of textbooks on her back and smiled. She then hurried herself to the front of the school.

Debbie opened the door to a little to let herself in. She wasn’t a thin high school sophomore like her daughter. She needed the extra room.

Mr. McCale had finished the prelude as Debbie walked in. She generously clapped for him. He then stood up and bowed his head at her.

Mr. McCale wasn’t a tall nor was he a short man; he barley stood a few inches taller than Debbie, and was much leaner. He had short light brown hair and a bit of scruff on him. Debbie hired him four years ago; it was one part natural talent and one part desperation. He was fresh out of college and he had much longer hair back then. He had pure talent for music, and he a lot of experience in vocal and instrumental instruction. The former chorus teacher passed away of heart attack and the music teacher suddenly quit in the middle of the first semester. It was sad year in music at Liberty High School. That was until Mr. McCale’s gift filled the open halls of the school. 

“Eric, you have a wonderful talent.”

“As well do you. I was quite surprised at the assembly that you could sing so well.” Debbie always enjoyed the tone of voice Eric had. It was always calm and elegant. It gave her the assumption that he was a young man of great wisdom.

“I will take that with high praise coming from you.” Debbie wanted to do something different at this year’s welcome back assembly. Usually it would just be introductions of the new staff, the starters of the season’s football team, and a few new school rules. Then it would be followed up by a bunch of performances by the cheerleaders, band, chorus, and Assigned Student Body reps. This year, after the introductions of the football team and new rules, Debbie decided it would be fun to show case the staff. Some the female teachers lead the students in a pep really form, donning more adult suited cheerleading outfits; short skirts and mid-drifts would cause much controversy. This was followed by a short video spoofing The Office to introduce the new staff teachers. The highlight of the evening was Debbie’s surprise performance at the end of assembly. She wore a sparkling dress that shined the brightness of old Motown. The song she sang was reminiscent of the era with a modern twist about a teenage love affair. On all accords it wasn’t an appropriate topic, but it garnered the approving cheers of her students.

Eric smiled a handsome smile at Debbie. “What brings you to these parts? You rarely are seen in this area.”

“I needed to breath. Everyone is asking for something and we just don’t have money. Not only that, I have had to deal with damage control with the parents calling me up about a student punching a teacher.”

“Speaking of asking… I would like to request new music stands. As you can see we are running low and the ones that we have…” Eric taped one of the stands with his finger. It suddenly toppled over into three pieces. “have problems.”

“How many do you need?”

“Hundred-twenty.”

“Eric, the band is only mad of seventy-five students. What are the other  forty-five for?”

“The chorus room.” He replied readily.

Debbie sighed. “I’ll get you the amount for the band. The rest you have to get on your own. You can ask the booster for donations, or you can hold a fundraiser.”

Eric bowed his head again. “Thank you, I’ll do my part to get the rest.”

“And please, Eric, please teach your students how to take care of school property. I won’t agree for more replacements for next year.”

“Of course. By the way, how is Mr. Tanimoto and what did you do about the student?”

Debbie gave another sigh. “Orin decided not to make a big deal of it. He felt that suspension and expulsion was no way to punish a student. He wanted to deal with the situation himself and so I gave him the big O.K. It was strange… he was very convincing of his stance, but he had this almost sinister feel to him. I would have just expelled the kid and send him to Bishop.”

“I think you should give Mr. Tanimoto some credit. I mean, did you hear what he is doing in his class with regards to cell phones? “

“The Tupperware thing?”

“Indeed, it seems very ingenious in away. “

“I’m not sure how it works, but I haven’t heard any complaints yet.”

“I believe it might catch on to the other teachers here.”

“Maybe, who knows?” Debbie stared in contemplation at what Orin might be trying to prove. Orin was the new English teacher, and new to teacher in general. He was highly referred by Calvin, the head coach of the football team. Outgoing, entertaining to the students, sometimes borderline unprofessional, but somehow he knew how to draw his students in. During the interview, Debbie was surprised at how young Orin looked. A clean shaven young man with big dark brown eyes that would make anyone think he was just a high school kid. However the composure and passion in his tone of voice made Debbie sure that she wanted him at her school.

Debbie turned her eyes to the clock high on the wall. “I must be off. Emily must be at my office by now.” She said in a relieved sigh.

“Indeed she might.”

With a slight bow of her head, Debbie was out the door towards her office. In her mind, Debbie could image the young music teacher playing a whisper of a song only she could hear.