Going back to my desk, I start grading the quizzes. A lot of the kids didn’t finish. It was an easy quiz and we’ve gone over this material more than once. I know a lot of them didn’t study, but I feel like I failed as a teacher when they do this poorly.
‘Jason?’ I hear Mia’s voice and look up and see her standing at the door. ‘Can I come in?’
‘Yeah, are you okay?’ I get up as she comes over to me.
‘I’m fine. I was in the bathroom and found a girl crying so I stayed there and talked to her.’
‘Who was it?’
‘She said her name’s Janelle. Do you know her? Short pink hair. Lightning tattoo on her neck.’
‘I’ve seen her, but I don’t know her. She’s not from Haydon Falls. She’s from one of the other towns around here. Why was she crying?’
‘She thinks she might be pregnant. She’s scared and doesn’t know what to do. She saw that I’m pregnant and was asking me how I knew.’ Mia smiles a little. ‘I didn’t tell her I went four months without figuring it out. Anyway, I told her I’d help her any way I could.’
‘And what did she say?’
‘She’s going to take a test when she gets home. She was afraid to, but I told her it’s better to know if she’s really pregnant than to worry if she might be. Putting it off isn’t going to make it any easier.’
I feel like she’s talking about me. I keep putting off what I know I need to do, hoping the situation will just go away. I’m like that girl, wanting my life to stay the same but knowing it’s going to change.
‘I gave her my number,’ Mia says, ‘in case she wants to talk.’
‘That was nice of you.’
‘It’s what I want to do, what I went to school for. I want to help kids who have no one to talk to. She said she can’t talk to her parents. Her dad isn’t around and she said her mom will kick her out if she’s pregnant.’
‘I hope you’re able to help her. Maybe you could help Darren too.’ I tell her about him, and about how he’s lost all interest in school.
‘I’d be happy to talk to him, if he’s willing.’
‘I’ll ask him. So what are you doing here? Not that I’m not happy to see you. You’re just usually working right now.’
‘The research software is getting an update so I couldn’t do anything. Since we didn’t leave the house last weekend, I thought I’d get out and go into town.’
‘I’m glad you came by.’ I put my arms around her. ‘I’ve been thinking about you all morning, and about last weekend.’
‘That’s why I’m here.’ She pauses. ‘Jason, I don’t want to fight with you. I love you, and I want us to be able to get through disagreements without us turning against each other.’
‘I agree.’ I kiss her.
‘Oh, shit, sorry,’ someone says.
I look behind Mia and see Tyler walking out the door.
‘Tyler,’ I say, stopping him.
He turns back. ‘I just had a question about the homework, but I can come back later.’
‘No, come on in.’ I look at Mia. ‘Let’s talk more tonight.’
‘I’ll see you later.’ Mia smiles at me as she leaves.
Tyler watches her walk out.
‘What’s your question?’ I ask.
He looks back at me. ‘That’s your girlfriend? She’s hot.’
