Firmhanded_Daddy
reborn in flame
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2010
- Posts
- 10,067
Name: Steve Wilkinson
Age: 35
Occupation: English teacher, football defensive line coach, former Army drill sergeant
Riiiiiiiiiiing
Chaos erupted in the class room, in the halls. Students were nearly running to the exit. Above the chaos he roared. “Don’t forget class, Romeo and Juliet paper is due next week! Come see me if you need any help!”
The class emptied in record time and for a moment there was silence and serenity in his classroom. He took his time erasing the chalk board. A thought occurred to him as he watched the chalk lines vanish under the work of the eraser. Was he like the chalk lines for these kids? There long enough to be observed, then as soon as that final bell rang washed away with no evidence of ever having existed. He grimaced at the thought. So many kids these days needed this class. Half of them didn’t speak English anymore, they spoke ‘ebonics’ or ‘l33tspeak’ or whatever labels were being placed on bastardized and uneducated off shoots of the English language.
These kids needed to learn how to speak properly and communicate in the written medium. Any hope they have of getting a job that doesn’t involve saying “Do you want fries with that?” will require them to be able to send an intelligible e-mail, and make sure they can spell the things correctly on their job application and resume.
The seal between chaos and order was broken. The outside roar in the halls was staggering, and he idly wondered if the decibel level was high enough to cause hearing damage. It was amazing how much noise can be generated by the slamming of locker doors, laughter, the shuffle of hundreds of feet. Doors opening and closing.
Riiiiiiiiiiing
He looked over those who had made it on time and frowned. Three kids missing. He was just about to ask if anyone knew where they were when one of those kids walked in. Oh she was a head turner that’s for sure, all the boys looked her direction, and so did a few of the girls. Sometimes she turned even his head he had to admit. She was of age though, so it wasn’t like he’d go to jail. No.. he’d just loose his job. Still, being attractive didn’t give you a license to do whatever you want. His voice was deep, and smooth; many had told him if teaching falls through he could be a late night radio dj.
“Lucy! That is the third time this week you have been late. See me after class we need to talk.”
The customary “oooooohs” went out as everyone tried to embarrass the poor girl further. He wasn’t about to put up with it at all. His voice boomed over the noise in a rough, commanding, guttural tone. He had learned that from his time in the army.
“Enough, children. If you keep that up I will be adding another five pages to the requirements for your Romeo and Juliet paper.”
The classroom in unison mumbled petulantly “Sorry Mr. Wilkinson.”
“Now lets get to it shall we?”
He turned back to the chalk board and the rhythmic tapping of the chalk on the chalk board echoed through the room as he began speaking. This was how most of his time was spend during the day, his back to the students. With wavy light brown hair, and broad shoulders many of the female students had crushes on him. He stood at around six feet, two inches tall, and the man was no stranger to the gym. He was actually working with the football team this year, helping them organize their defensive line, and teaching the guys how to bulk up safely, and without drugs.
Turning from the board he called out his question. Deep, piercing blue eyes turned to the students who were trying to feign interest and failing miserably. “So who can tell me who Romeo fought with? Also why did this fight start? Anyone…? How about you, Miss Lucy. ?”
*************
Riiiiiiiiing
Students were running to the door as the bell rang, and he was sitting at his desk. It had been the last class for the day, everyone was eager to get him. Jotting down some notes quick on a note pad on his desk he looked up and locked eyes with Lucy.
“Come on over Lucy. We need to talk. Pull up a chair.”
He motioned beside himself so she could sit next to him. When she was settled into the chair he looked straight into her eyes she really did have beautiful eyes. His determination and was obvious in his gaze.
“What’s going on Lucy? Coming in late, your grades are in a free fall. You are a smart, beautiful, talented woman. You can do better than this. What can I do to help?”