"The Cut"

Chapter 58- Back To The Grind

Chapter 58- BACK TO THE GRIND

By the time Monday came around, the student body of FHS was acclimating to the "new norm". There were several substitutes filling in on the whole, as both Mr. Lafoe's History classes and Coach Fullman's Trigonometry and Statistics were without permanent teachers. 

 Additionally, neither girl's track nor the boy's varsity soccer team had replacement coaches. The assistant coaches were given their positions until new placement was implemented. Everyone continued to buzz over the recent events and the loss of two teachers who were once so heavily admired by most of the town of Fairview.

 First period History was an utter train wreck. The substitute was a fresh face and recent college graduate; to say that Mr. Lafoe's class was intimidating was an understatement. She tried to maintain her cool, but it was obvious that she was as shaky as a red maple leaf.

"Okay, listen up, everyone. I'm going to just check and see who's here today." The tiny brunette squeaked. "Could you just raise a hand when I call out your name? Better yet, I'll just pass around a piece of paper. Make sure everyone who is here sign's the attendance sheet and I'll run it to the office when the bell rings. Now, who can tell me what chapter you've been working on?" 

 She thumbed through the textbook nervously, trying to find a trace of a recent lesson. Mr. Lafoe's desk had been emptied out, all but a few paperback history books, the teacher's edition of two hardback textbooks, and a few scattered supplies that were left behind when he packed his personal belongings after his swift suspension.

 Bailey turned to Grace and rolled her eyes in disgust. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I could do a better job teaching than this loser. Where is she from? Planet Zero?" she scoffed.

 Grace tried to be patient. "Give her a break, Bail. Everyone has to have a first day sometime! It isn't her fault they left her completely unprepared. Should we help her out or something? She is totally lost."

 She flipped through her chapters until she reached the number 48. She raised her hand. Bailey sighed and flipped her ponytail behind her shoulders.

 Grace to the rescue, as always!

"Kiss-ass." she whispered through clenched teeth.

 The substitute teacher looked relieved at the diversion. She nodded her head at Grace. "Yes?"

"Uh, I was just going to let you know that we were on Chapter 48. We're studying the Reconstruction Amendments following the Civil War. You can look at my notes if you need to." Grace offered. 

 Bailey turned toward her in disgust. "Really? Why don't you just teach the freakin' class already?"

 Grace shrugged. She stood and offered the substitute her spiral notebook and smiled graciously. Her assistance was clearly appreciated.

"Thank you, um...your name?" she asked with embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed as she flipped through Grace's perfect, pink penmanship, which outlined the entire chapter in advance.

"Grace. Hannity." she smiled as she took her seat.

"Right. Grace. This is so helpful. Class, why don't you break into small groups and compare what notes you've taken thus far? You can add what you are missing and refer to your textbook if necessary. We can re-group in another twenty minutes and write some of the highlights on the board. I'm sure you will have a quiz or an assignment due in the near future and I want you to be prepared. I'll set my timer now." she instructed, reaching for her cell phone.