Teacher's Pet

I was struggling with school books, lunch bag and print outs for my Grade Fours so that I nearly missed seeing the man sitting on the steps. By the time I noticed him, my empty lunch bag was on his lap. He jumped up, apologizing for being in the way, and helped me carry my things to my car. It wasn’t until I was seated behind the wheel that I realized what a gorgeous smile he had and what piercingly blue eyes and that I hadn’t thanked him.

“Too late Kendall” I said “Besides, if he’s at the school, he’s one of the parents anyhow and they always travel in pairs.” I sighed and turned on the ignition. Tomorrow was a busy day with a field trip in the offing. I groaned at the thought of shepherding two dozen grade fours through a museum.

It was only a few days later that I bumped (almost literally) into him again. I was doing my shopping at the local supermarket checking out the cereal display trying to decide whether I really had the time in the mornings for hot cereal.

Shrugging I grabbed the sugar-coated cold cereal and my cart went rolling down the aisle. I frantically scurried after it only to find I had side-swiped Mr. Blue Eyes.

He smiled that 10kw smile I remembered and asked “I know I got to carry your books the other day; now can I help with your groceries?” Embarrassed not only by the encounter but also by the memory of a few day-dreams in which he had figured centrally, I grabbed my cart mumbled a denial and made a hasty departure.

Next Friday was one of the days I enjoyed most – Parent Teacher Day. While there could sometimes be problem interviews, it was fun to see the parents of all your pupils and see how they matched your preconceived ideas of them.

My friend Penny (Grade Three) was waiting with me after lunch for our first appointments. “Now you’ll at least get to see who Blue-Eyes matches up to,” she said. And what better place to start a relationship than an in-depth interview. You have a ready-made excuse to ask any question you want.”

“Right now, I’m waiting for a parent I’m not looking forward to meeting – Tommy’s Dad.”

“Tommy’s been causing you grief in class?’

“I don’t know what to do with him Penny. He’s a nice kid, he’s bright and likes to help out but he seems to have a relationship problem concerning his Dad.”

“They don’t get along?”

“On the contrary, he seems to hero-worship him. He grabs the spotlight on every occasion to brag about his father, who sounds like a cross between Superman and Einstein if you can believe everything Tommy says. Honestly,” I said, I’m getting so sick of listening to how Tommy’s father can do things faster, better and more often than anyone else’s Dad, I think I’d like to start my interview off with punching him”

Just then my first parent came round the corner into the classroom and of course it had to be Mr. Blue Eyes, the subject of my dream world for the last few weeks. I blushed fiercely as I tried to determine if he had heard the tail end of my conversation with Penny. How unprofessional he’d think I was.

Sure enough, as he approached my desk he said “I’d hate to think I was the subject of that statement,” but his smile took the sting out of his words.

“Please, sit down. I’m sorry.” I stammered, “ We were just…”

“It’s okay, Miss Kendall; I realize teaching must have its frustrations as well as its rewards.” Penny was making her exit and mouthing something to me over Blue-eyes head I strained to catch it but all I could make out was a fishing comment and a gesture of reeling in a line. I blushed again and once more apologized to Blue Eyes who now of course had a name – Andrew Cunningham.

“Tommy is doing well in all his activities, Mr. Cunningham” I began and went over his report card item by item, trying hard to keep my mind on my words, especially as Mr. Blue-eyes ( I couldn’t stop thinking of him by that name) was smiling at me in a way that could be interpreted as admiring by someone who was thinking along those lines.

I finished my comments and then hesitated, wondering how to broach the topic of Tommy’s one failing.

“I’m glad Tommy is doing well and fitting in,” he said.” I wondered if maybe he was exhibiting some adjustment problems?” He raised a perfect eyebrow and again I tried to phrase the right question- Unnecessarily it turned out.

“I just got back from a long overseas posting and Tommy has been staying with my sister while I was away.” Anticipating my next question he said. “My wife died shortly after Tommy was born so it’s been just the two of us ever since. Julie, my sister, has been a God-send but Tommy’s so happy to have me home again that I was afraid maybe he might be overdoing the ‘My Dad’s the Greatest’ thing.”

“Well I was planning to send you my dental bill from grinding my teeth every time your name came up in class.”

“Ouch, as bad as that? I know he has been indulging in a little hero-worship and I’ve had a talk to him about that. It will all change the first time I ground him or send him to bed without dessert; then we’ll be back to normal”

Just then Tommy, who was supposed to be waiting in the hall appeared in the doorway. “Didn’t I tell you Miss Kendall was a terrific teacher, Dad?” Then he turned to me and said. “I’ve been waiting for you to meet my Dad. I wanted my two favorite people in the whole world to be friends. That’s why I kept telling you how great he was.”

Blue-Eyes smiled at me. “Well, maybe one way to get Tommy’s behaviour back to normal is to indulge his wish. How about going out to dinner tonight?”

Tommy thought that was a wonderful idea. So did I.