"Mrs. Winchester!" I called out for my student as soon as I caught sight of her.
She was chatting happily with her usual group of friends as she made her way towards the parking lot of the University. When she heard her name she stopped walking and turned around to see who had just shouted. When she noticed it was me she said something to her friends, who nodded and walked away, to then head towards me.
" Mrs. Gonzales, can I help you with something?" she asked me a bit confuse, sure wondering why I was searching for her after school hours.
"Yes, you can" I answered with a big smile before taking out a big stack of papers from my purse and handing them to her, with a sigh of taking such a huge weight off my shoulders... literally "Do you know what is this?".
"My investigation work of the myths created during the Dark Age in Europe" she replied more confused than before, and a bit nervous this time "How did you get it?".
"You must have left it in the library by mistake one day, and I found it. You should be more careful with it. Or someone might steal it from you and take all the credit" I warned her.
"Why someone would want to steal it from me?" she asked me with a snort "It is just an amateurs research of some known and other forgotten myths that no one wants to read about".
"On that you are very wrong Mrs. Winchester" I told her, fixing her a sever look "Your work is simply brilliant! The research, sources, quotes and redaction is perfect. You make someone that isn't interested in myths be enchanted by them. Why do you think it took me so much time in return it to you? I was so keen on your book that I couldn't take off my eyes from it".
"Really?!" she asked me perplexed, raising her eyebrows clearly surprise by my praise.
"Have you ever thought of studying literature or anthropology or sociology or history?" I questioned her "I believe that those careers would fit you better than pre-law".
"Why?" she asked me with a sad tone "I would be a bad lawyer?".
"Oh, no Samantha" I gasped when I noticed how I sounded, and that I had brought my student to the edge of tears "You are a very intelligent young woman and in the future, if you still follow this path, you'll make an amazing lawyer" I assured her, containing a sigh when I noticed that she had calmed down "But your way of seeing law is different, your principles are different. You think that law can be bend depending the situation and what people feel. For you if someone really regretted what they had done they should be freed and pay their crimes with community service. And a mother that stole for her hungry children shouldn't be placed in prison. But thinks aren't like that" I explained to her.
"So, I am too weak to be a lawyer" she said with a defeated stance.
"No, you have a pure heart that believes in second chances. It is a pity that the rest of the world isn't like you" I corrected her "Also, you have a gift with this" I pointed out, signalizing the stack of papers "I've noticed that you didn't write who made the translations of the books, you used for research, in Latin and Greek".
"Cause I did it" she answered, taking me by surprise "I know Latin, Greek and Japanese".
"I haven't seen any international exams in you student's papers" I pointed out.
"Because I've never had the money to sit for them" she explained to me with a sad smile.
"But now you are married and your husband has the money. Stanford has a program to prepare students that want to sit for international exams. You won't have to pay for nothing, just for the exam itself" I informed her (A/N: I don't know if this is true. I just invented it for the story) "By the complex level of the book you used for your investigation work and the very good translation you made, I can easily say that you are in a proficiency level. And I guess that your Japanese level is as good as the other two. What do you say? Would you like me to enroll you in the program? Having international exams will help you a lot in finding a good job".
"I... yes! Please, enroll me" she answered excitedly "If it isn't a bother".
"Of course not! I am your teacher, it is my duty to prepare you as much as I can for the outside world and the difficult work environment " I told her "Also, think about what I've told you about your choice of career. I truly believe that you'll be happier in any of the other four. The scholarship will still be yours and you still have two moths plus summer vacations to decide and change majors for next year" I reminded her "It isn't strange for students to change what they are studying after the first year of college. I tell you that is the most normal thing that happens, people who stick to the first major that they chose is stranger" I insisted when I saw her conflicted expression. I handed her my card and told her "Whenever you've decided what you want to do give me a call, ok?".
"Ok" she replied with a small voice and a lost gaze, which brightened when a man called out for her "Goodbye Mrs. Gonzales" she said before rushing towards that man with a huge smile and jumped on him.
The handsome man spun her around happily and kissed her passionately on the lips. He seemed to be a starving man who had just been gifted a delicious banquet. And maybe he is. I've heard during one of my classes how much Mrs. Winchester missed her husband that was in a business trip.
It seems like he is back, I thought happily for my student and walked away, heading towards my office.
The rest of the school year passed flying, much to my amusement. Normally when I am waiting impatiently for something I feel like time doesn't pass fast enough for my liking. But this time it didn't happen.
Class after class passed with having Mrs. Winchester as my student. And class after class I was disappointed by her lack of interest in anything but law. Which was a first with me. I don't think there is a single teacher that doesn't like that their students are invested in their subject.
I didn't try to pressure her at all. I knew that this kind of decision should be taken with time and after thinking it fully. I only approached her about no law business when I informed her that next hear she would be starting her preparations classes, for the international exams, the next school year.
However, when summer started and I still haven't gotten any answer yet was a complete disappointment for me. Still I didn't say a thing and prepared myself to be one of this year's Demeter's contest judges. It was an honor to be part of this event that was part of the tradition and pride of Palo Alto (A/N: This is another thing that I created for the story and that does not exist). A lot of people participated but only a few won.
It consisted in three different sections: one for hot meals, other for cold ones and the last one, but not least, a dessert competition. Each having their own contest and the one with more point is crown the King or Queen of the 'Demeter Festival'. And is interviewed by the city's and Stanford University news paper.
So is no wonder that everyone strives for the third, second and first place. Of course, satisfaction and popularity aren't the only things that difference the three places. If you end up on the third place you only get a pretty bronze trophy. But if you get second, not only you are given a silver trophy but a thousand dollars. However, if you win the competition you don't only get all this, plus having the trophy in gold color, but you also win a 50 percent of discount in every shop you make in 'Demeter' until next year's context.
Although all this incredible healthy competition spirit, my favorite thing is that there's always a great variation of food and everyone can try from everything, there is also a lot of organic and fresh markets for people to buy from. Everyone (children, old people, disabled, women, men, young people) participating together in this amazing event and having fun.
After finishing judging the hot meal competition, my section (there is a different group of three judges for each contest), I decided to wonder around and see what have they had cooked this year. As always I was amazed by how many good cooks were hidden behind the doors of their houses.
But what got my principle attention was a handsome blond young man that was very happy eating a piece of pie. It was if he had never tasted something better. That's when I noticed that he was the same man that came for Mrs. Winchester when I was talking to her about a change of career.
"Mr. Winchester" I called out for him. He turned around, raising an eyebrow in confusion "I am your wife's law teacher" I told him when I figured out that he didn't know who I was.
"The one that told her she isn't good enough to be a lawyer" he said, finally (realizing) who I was. I cringed at his words "You know that she won't stop studying pre-law, don't you?" he asked me.
"I wish she did" I told him honestly "She will suffer a lot in the work environment".
"She won't" he said with such confidence "I know this because she is a Winchester. And we Winchesters never give up. If there something we don't like we change it, we get whatever we desire, we are stubborn and determined. If anyone is against us or thinks we are wrong, then screw them!" he smirked defiantly at me with a cocky air "She isn't soft, she isn't. Sammy is kind. And if you're stupid court doesn't like it or accept it, then she'll create her own court and make you see what a horrible mistake you've committed by not following her".
He dismissed me just like that and turned his gaze towards where he was looking before. That's when I noticed that Mrs. Winchester was there, not only that she was participating at the desert competition with a pie. An apple pie by the piece on Mr. Winchester's plate.
I was still amazed by my new discoveries. Today I learnt the answer I wanted to know for so long, I learned to not underestimate my student again, I learned that Mr. Winchester idolized his wife (I wouldn't be surprise that he isn't Christian and follows Mrs. Winchester as if she was his Goddess, I commented in my head), I learned so much and I still won't give up.
I know that she must study one of the careers I recommended her. I was sure that she will be more happy with that.
"I won't give up" I warned him "I'll make sure she studies literature, anthropology, history or sociology" I almost stepped back by the glare I received from Mrs. Winchester's husband, but I stayed firm on my place "Her book was brilliant and everyone deserves to know it, so...".
"That is why I sent it to Palo Alto's editorial" he interrupted me, shocking me silent "She wrote it for me, you know? My dad is... very serious about this topics. He demanded me to know all of this, but I am not like Sam. I don't like books, research and study. I am more an action man, so there was no way that I would have passed my father's test. However, Sammy came and saved me. She wrote this book to make it easier for me to understand, plus entertain me as well. My father was proud of me for the first time and praised me because of her, and she never took the credit for that. Sammy always said that I did it on my own and she only gave me the tools to do it..." he abruptly stopped talking and I noticed how his eyes opened slightly. Surely not noticing how much he had talked "Anyways..." his sweet and full of love smile was changed to a frown "I know her talent and worth more than you, and I want everyone to know it more than you too. Don't worry I'll make sure that if Palo Alto's editorial doesn't accept to publish it or any other editorial, I'll put from my money for her book".
"I my son works there, I'll give him a phone call later and recommend him Mrs. Winchester's book" I told him with a small smile.
He looked at me and blinked surprised, to then smirk "Thanks" I knew that he didn't say it because he was polite, as he said before he cares little about society, but for his wife "After she finishes with the language preparation courses she'll inscribe for a minor in history".
"Really?!" I asked with more childish excitement than a fifty years old woman should have.
"Yes, so I guess you've won in a way if not completely" he commented with a chuckle, smirk never leaving his face.
With that said he walked away with not even a goodbye, but I was way too happy to care about that and only smiled enchanted when Mr. Winchester sneaked behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist. Mrs. Winchester just laughed gleefully and pecked his lips sweetly.
It seems like I wasn't the only one that won something that day. My student got the first place on the desert competition, lamentably she wasn't crown the Queen of Demeter's festival but she has me rooting her for next year.
I smiled seeing how the happy couple kissed celebrating Mrs. Winchester's victory and walked away, taking my phone out to give my son a very important call.