Page 12 of Defined and Defiled
“But the nineties were like a hundred years ago.” Jaxon scoffs.
Richard looks back at me, concerned, and I shake my head and mouth 'thirty'.
“So what do you think? Is he better than a slimy toad?” I ask the class.
Hope raises her hand, but is already talking, “Toads aren't actually slimy.”
“Great point, Hope, please sit down.” The class is full of excitement as Richard floats around. “I have another special announcement!”
For the kids, the new goggles pale in comparison to a floating book, but I'm still proud of my haul nonetheless. The students look comical with the goggles covering half of their faces, and Katie has to have help fitting hers over her glasses.
“After recess, we will go over lab safety, and this Friday, we'll join Mr. Rogers' class in the science lab to do some cool experiments. There won't be enough goggles for everyone, so you'll have to take turns with the other class. Start thinking about who you want to team up with, okay?”
The kids are wired and keep interrupting each other as we go over their warm-up questions. The excitement lasts up until I bring them to the cafeteria. Tony is on lunch duty, and I glare at the traitor as I hand my students over to him.
I don't want to leave Richard alone in the classroom for too long, so I pray the lounge isempty. I want to grab my lunch and pocket a few extra coffee pods to take home.
Of course, my prayers are unanswered and the coffee machine is blocked by Lucy and Cami, although only one of them seems to be drinking anything.
I don't typically have many interactions with Lucy since she teaches second grade, but I see her around sometimes. Cami, however, I see every Thursday when she rolls her overloaded cart into my classroom.
“Shirley!” Cami squeals. She is the type of person who is always excited to see you. It would be great for my ego if I didn't hear her shout about taco day with the same enthusiasm.
“Afternoon Camille, Lucy.” I nod. Lucy is standing in front of the pods so I can't pocket any without reaching around her.
“Help us end a debate, who do you think would win a fight? One man or 100 Mothmen?”
I've read plenty of books on Mothmen but they were less interested in his fighting skills than how good he could be in bed. So I think ahundred Mothmen could definitely take one woman. This is why I don't stop to talk to coworkers, now I'll never be able to get this question out of my mind. Lucy smiles at me like we're in on a joke together but I don't think I've ever spent more than ten minutes around her. Her smile makes my heart stop beating.
“Does the man have a light?” I ask.
Cami claps her hand. “We hadn't even discussed weapons yet!”
“Well, I’ll let you get to that!” I abandon my coffee dreams, grab my lunch and book it out of there.
Richard is in one piece when I return but he's not alone like I had expected. He's surrounded by a group of fourth graders and a very excited Tanner.
“What are we doing here?”
Tanner looks back at me with a wide smile that's all silver caps.
“I told my brother about Mr. Richard, but he didn't believe me.”
I spot a smaller version of Tanner next to Richard shaking his head.
“Not true! I just said I needed to see him!” His brother claims.
I look at Richard and he just smiles back at me. He seems to be in his element around the young boys. I bet he was a good teacher before. I wonder what he was like before the curse, maybe he was also sneaking in and out of the lounge. I want to be mad that Tanner snuck back into the classroom during my planning period. There's no way I'll be getting anything done with them here, but I can not remember I've seen any kid excited about a book that you didn't have to charge, and a dictionary at that.
“You all can talk to Mr. Richard this afternoon if you come to Homework Helpers. Otherwise, I think you should go back to class.”
The fourth graders groan as I write them a hall pass. Tanner stays behind and sits at his desk with Richard. I can't catch all of what they discuss but I do figure out that Richard is behind quite a few generations of pocket monsters.
I've been hosting Homework Helpers since I moved here. The high schoolers come in to help the littles with their classes for extra credit. Usually I see the same four faces, kids whose parents wouldn't let them miss. Today my classroom is full. Most of my class stayed behind, bringing their siblings from other classes. Tanner is making it his mission to introduce Richard to everyone. If I thought Richard was good with kids, he shines with the teenagers. My personal opinion is that teenage girls are the single scariest thing a person can be, but Richard has them laughing with him in seconds.
“Mr. Rich!” A booming voice calls from the back. Richard floats over and looks down at one of my regulars, a junior who will most likely be the reason we got the new gymnasium. “You'll be here next week right?”
Richard looks back at me. Maybe I should add 'get a grip' to my to-do list.
