Population Miniscule

Chapter 2: Catherine

Catherine felt rushed. Mondays were always a game of catch up that she didn't feel like playing. She almost always felt rested, but could think of a million things she would rather be doing than darkening the door of Davis High School. One more week...and then she'd be off to Mexico for a week of writing and relaxation. She ran her fingers through her curly auburn hair as she flashed a last glance in the mirror. She flipped off the light switch and headed to the kitchen with one free hand ready to grab her lunch.

Catherine's small car purred to life and the local morning radio show blared through the speakers. She nearly spilled her coffee clamoring to turn down the volume. She'd been shopping on Saturday and had forgotten to turn the volume down on the radio before shutting off the car. That's when she realized she had left her music player on the charger. She pushed in the CD that was protruding from the slot. She would have to kick it old school today. She smiled to herself and thought, “There's nothin' to it, but to do it.”

The school was fifteen minutes away and she pulled in the parking lot while taking the last sip from her travel mug. Life had hit that mundane rut for Catherine about three months ago, and she was eager to take her yearly retreat. She was looking forward to it more than ever this year as she had never been to Cancun before. She hoped the surroundings wouldn't be too distracting to get a head start on the writing projects she wanted to accomplish over the Summer.

Since before she graduated in 2008 with a Master's Degree in English, she had written articles for magazines and anthologies to help pay back her student loans. She kept up the habit over the years to supplement her income during the Summers. Even though she had a little money held back from each check throughout the school year so she would draw a salary all year, freelance writing gave her a little extra cushion. She was able to pay off her bills and participate in one writers' conference each year. It was a luxury that allowed her to recharge following the long school year.

This was her fifth year teaching Freshmen English at Davis. She enjoyed the challenge of keeping a bunch of teenagers from failing out of high school before they even started. She was at a point where five years of experience had begun to work for her. Every year was easier, but no less tiring. Her personal life had suffered the last few months and she pushed the heavy door of the school open with a sigh. Catherine tried to forget the odd tension that she felt about pretty much everything.