Chapter 9-September 7th, 1981
Today was a normal day at school. In the hallway I saw Sam get a flat tire from one of the farm kids walking behind him. Mr. Rosso worked the halls before the first bell rang, not realizing most of the kids were making fun of him behind his back after he went to talk to the next student. After first period, we sat behind the stairway where Ken regaled us with his plans to set up an underground hydroponic pot farm after graduation. I was late for class and saw Todhunter, who was now working as a substitute teacher at McKinley one or two days a week, and Mr. Kowchevski having a kind of intimate looking discussion in the empty hallway. But then Kowchevski spotted me and shooed me into Mr. Synder's class.
We practiced sewing in home ec. Sometimes I feel like a traitor to the feminist cause, but I'm really getting into all this housewife stuff. But then from the time I got my first easy-bake oven, I've always liked to cook and make things for around the house. I guess I was my mother's daughter after all. It was just in the last couple of years that I became too cool to show it though.
Kim and I were sitting in the back of the classroom facing the rear wall and hemming up each leg of a pair of old pants when Synder started in on his "one day I'm going to be getting out of here" lecture. This was the second time he had given it, and way early in the school year for this kind of talk from teachers. He ranted about how he was taking more education courses so one day he could be a principal and he wouldn't have to deal with the hopeless task of trying to teach us anything. He would just have to worry about controlling our behavior. And he was also going to move to California to get away from the god-awful Michigan winters. He would get what he deserved in the land of plenty. Kim and I just hoped he would leave as soon as possible.
"So, how are things going with Rosso and Todhunter after school?" Kim asked. Snyder couldn't hear us over the hum of the sewing machines in the front of the room, so we didn't have to lower our voices. "Have they made a teacher sandwich out of you yet?"
"No-its not like that. And I just see Rosso because Todhunter is living at Rosso's mother's house right now."
"Whatever you say," Kim said with a smile on her face. "But I see how Rosso looks at you sometimes. It must kill him to have you so close and not be able to do anything about it. Maybe he'll be horny enough to get it on with Todhunter."
"Eww, you are so gross sometimes, Kim,"
"I just say what I see."
"Hey, how is it going with taking your mother to the doctor for her diabetes?" I asked, mostly to try and steer Kim onto another subject. Once she started talking about smut, it was hard to get her to stop.
"Its ok. My mom's getting better. We were scared there for awhile. Its not easy to admit, but I like doing it"
"How so?" I asked.
"Well its nice to be needed for something besides sex with Daniel. And I like taking care of her. She's super squeamish about needles, but I'm working with her so she can do her own injections when I'm not around. I feel like its bringing us together."
"That's good to hear."
"Yeah, but it feels kinda weird sometimes. I'm even starting to think about becoming a nurse after I graduate. Hell, even thinking about graduating is weird for me."
"That's great," I said. "But you know you have to go to nursing school for a couple of years to be an RN. And you'll have to raise your grades in order to get accepted." "Well screw that then," Kim said with a laugh.
After fourth period I ran into Millie in the halls and we talked as I got my books out of my locker.
"How is the tutoring going with Mr. Todhunter?" Millie asked.
"Great."
"What kind of stuff does he tutor you in?"
"A little of this, a little of that. Its challenging stuff. When I get home each evening, it really feels like I've had a workout," I said, trying not to lie to Millie.
"That sounds cool. You think there's any chance that he might be able to tutor me too? It would be so neat if we could study together like we used to."
"I'll ask him, but I think that grant only covers him working with one student at a time," I said with what sounded to me a weak tone of voice.
"I understand," Millie said with a sad look on her face. "I'm just glad you are taking your studies seriously again. It was such a big shock to hear about you skipping the academic summit."
"Well I had more interesting plans for the summer. I've learned that you have to take what you can in this life because you may not get any second chances."
"There are always second chances in heaven"
"Yeah," I said in neutral tone.
"Hey, do you think you're going to become a mathlete again? With your new attitude, I think we could convince Mr. Kowchevski to take you back."
"No, that's not part of my life anymore. I'm doing the tutoring because I have to, even though it is giving me more self-confidence," I said as the bell for third period rang.
"Okay, see you later," Millie said.
"Goodbye," I said. I felt crummy about telling Millie lies, even if they were white lies. But that was a price I paid for being the Slayer I guess.
