Not This Time

"So," he said, approaching his teacher's yard. "You hear the news?"

Feeny sighed. "Yes, Mr. Hunter. Your friend told me."

"Ah," Shawn responded, tapping nervously at the fence post. "What do you think of me now? Am I still a big screw-up to you?"

"Mr. Hunter, I have never thought of you as a 'screw-up'. But I am disappointed."

"As you should be," Shawn agreed. He watched as Feeny went back to his gardening. "Well, aren't you gonna teach me a lesson? Fail me?"

Mr. Feeny did not respond.

"A metaphor, an anecdote, anything?"

Mr. Feeny shook his head and set his shovel down. "For once, Mr. Hunter, you are on your own. I'm afraid this is a lesson you are going to have to discover yourself."

Shawn walked away from him.