The Spark

Who Is This Boy

I sat in my class finishing copying down my notes from the board from today's lecture when Dr. Hearts dismissed us for the day. Once done I started putting everything in my bag and got ready to go talk to her as I usually did after class. I walked up to the podium and she looked up from her laptop. "Hey Ms. Janae, what can I help you with?" She smiled.

   "I was just curious if you graded our test from last week. No rush if you didn't I was just thinking about it." I questioned.

   "I did. I just needed to make them visible on Blackboard that's all. You, my dear, got a 100 per usual. Oh, you had to leave right after though so I still need to see your notebook." She held her hand out. I gave it to her as she hummed and flipped through the pages. She typed something into her laptop and smiled at me. "This is amazing and one of the most organized notebooks I have seen in some time. Well since I was a high school teacher, how did you keep this up?" She had a nostalgic look in her eye.

   "Oh, my parents were strict about school growing up and I guess it carried over. That's why I was in your office hours so early on because I wanted to make sure I was doing it right. The example notebook you had was amazing." I basked in the compliment.

   "I have been meaning to talk to you about an opportunity I have for you. The performing arts school here is looking for some college students who are on track to being teachers in certain specialties to work in each department. A friend of mine is the head of the music department and asked if I had any students in mind. You are the only one I could come up with, so I passed along your information to her. Is this something you'd be interested in?" She explained.

   "Can you give me more information on it?" I got excited.

   "Here is my friend's card. She told me to give it to you. She'll be able to tell you everything. Her name is Chanel Castle. She is expecting to hear from you, Janae." She smiled.

   "Thank you so much Dr. Hearts. I'll see you next week." I walked out excited about this opportunity because it could give me a leg up for teaching. I walked out of the building and beelined to my car. Once I got in I took a second to get settled. My phone started ringing. I looked at it and it was Sister Tammy from church. "Hey, sister!" I answered.

   "Hey Nae, are you coming to rehearsal today? I missed you last week." She laughed.

   "Yes ma'am I am. I am getting ready to head to my dorm to eat something really quick and then I will be on my way." I started the car.

   "Good, how did you do on that test that you were studying for? I know you did good because my baby always does good in school." She teased. "Oh is Christina coming too? I talked to your parents and they are finally over the flu."

   "I got an A thank you! Yes, Christina is coming. She ran the shop all last week and they spoiled her yesterday for covering for them." I laughed.

   "Good! You girls work so hard. I hope you're making time for fun baby. Are you going to bring your little friend with you?" She references my friend Bobby.

   "No, he's working today out of town, but he did tell me that he was willing to help fix up stuff at the church so your husband doesn't have to do it alone. He told me to pass along his number to yall and the past and to say do not hesitate to call. He likes helping people."

   "Oh bless his heart. He is too sweet. I will see yall soon! Love ya!"

   "Love you too!" I hung up as I pulled into the parking garage of my dorm. I got out and locked my car. I headed to my floor and walked into my living room. I set my keys down and saw Christina run from the bathroom to her room in a towel. I laughed as she lost and footing and slid into the wall. "That's not funny Nae! I grabbed you pizza when I went grocery shopping it's in the microwave. My tutoring session ran late so I just got home 20 minutes ago."