Teaching Elementary, My Dear Watson

20 - Smith Again

20

Smith Again

Monday-Thursday, December 5-8

Kevin woke up early, alone, sad, resigned to bachelor status again, but resolved to keep his life together. He gazed at the hairline cracks in the ceiling, like tiny fractures. He felt similarly stressed but not broken.

My emotions are gonna go up and down. Can't control the roller coaster. But I have great friends, supportive parents, and a work purpose because I serve the kids. This will take time, but I'll get through it.

He hadn't called his folks about this. He phoned them often, but they shared mostly news. His parents loved him, and he could trust them both with anything, but he was closer emotionally to his college friends. That's who he needed for now. He'd make a plan and communicate the changes to his family, just not yet.

He stopped staring at the ceiling, got up, and went through the motions of what he had to do to get ready for work. Kevin heated some water. Those new microwaves sound convenient, but right now they are nearly half a month's take-home pay. Stovetop cooking is fine.

Good thing the tea kettle made some noise. Kevin had forgotten it was on and might have let it boil till it evaporated and burned. He got distracted at times, now more than usual.

He walked outside and was pleasantly surprised. The Santa Ana winds had blown air from the low desert to the east, and the warmer Mojave temperatures would follow. The sky was clear, cloudless, and smog-free. This weather front would keep it that way for a day or two. I feel like I'm receiving a gift from the Coachella Valley. Like the Beatles' song adopted as Palm Springs' bumper sticker, my thanks to the desert winds is by saying "PS, I love you".

The kids seemed to know he was going through a tough time. There were still occasional issues, teasing, interruptions, a boy pulling a girl's ponytail, or one student making a face at another. But when Kevin talked to those involved, they seemed contrite and didn't push their antics too far.

Kevin got some ideas from Johnny and Miguel regarding basketball tryouts, but he already felt confident with his overall plan. He spent the week holding tryouts, testing the kids on dribbling, passing, shooting, and quickness moves in all directions, which were important on both offense and defense.

After school, Kevin's friends made sure he stuck to a healthy routine, and they took turns bringing food when they weren't busy playing basketball and tennis. His phone never rang, not even for the wrong number. And he chose not to call Monica. I'll phone her eventually, but only after I know exactly what I want to do and plan how to say it. Not ready yet. No rush.

Friday, December 9

Kevin mixed it up and took the boys first during basketball tryouts. It was the same group he'd had for football. They were still small and slow but had great attitudes that would translate into top effort. Not looking good for a winning record, but maybe he could get them to improve in a way that they felt good about during basketball, like they had done in football.

The girls just needed to practice their skills. The same group from football still had plenty of athletic ability. But Kevin had seen lots of basketball teams with more talent lose to a better-coached, more disciplined group. His girls had learned to play together in football. He hoped they retained some of their teamwork.

*****

That afternoon, Kevin had just started teaching math when his principal stopped by for a surprise observation. Smith wore his usual navy blue sport coat, striped tie, and gray slacks. "Carry on, Mr. Watson."