Chapter 5: Educational Efforts

It was Monday, my first day as a schoolteacher and I didn't have to walk far to work. I set up the textbooks for each grade on two tables on one side of the room. Then I marked up a copy of Mark Twain's classic, Tom Sawyer.

I had decided that my class would read daily from it and when it was done we'd go on to another classic. I was quite pleased with myself for the idea and I penciled in the name of each student beside the paragraphs he or she was to read. The older students were naturally given longer portions to read.

School was scheduled to start at 9 AM and shortly before then the pupils began to arrive. I pretended to be engrossed in the paperwork on my desk, preferring to wait until all were seated before I introduced myself. I'd assigned seats to each with the students grouped by grade and I put names on the assigned desks. Finally I counted twelve occupied desks so I knew that all were there.

"Welcome back," I began. "My name is Joe Aspen but tradition requires that you call me Mr. Aspen even at those times when you're mad at me and would like to call me something else. I don't have a lot of teaching experience but I have 14 years of studenting experience and I hope that, along with this big book they gave me will cause all of you to learn." At that point I held up the thick Course of Study book that outlined in some detail what each grade was to be taught,

I said a lot more but finally told them to pick up their textbook, mark their names inside and cross out the names of the previous owners. "After you've done all that go back to your seat and I'll tell you what more is in store for you today.

What do they put in the water? As the students picked up their books I sat back and watched them. Except for Fuyu, my Japanese student, they were all really well endowed in the breasts department. None seemed to equal Deepa's mammarial magnificence but even little 13 year old Janet had what looked like DD jugs.

I looked especially closely at Julia Whittier. Damn! It would be a crying shame if she dedicated what appeared to be a superb body to same sex relationships. Even though I couldn't enjoy her most intimate connection it pained me that some other male could not.

"Now for the bad news. I won't keep you here all day but today we're going to kick off a daily event, a reading from classical literature. And you guys will do the reading. Our first Classic is To Sawyer and I suspect that some of you are already familiar with it. Now Adam, you have the honour of being oldest and with that comes the obligation to read first. Read the paragraphs I've marked for you and then pass it on to the next person marked."

I sat back and made notes on the quality of the reading but I'm ashamed to admit that I paid more attention to the jiggle and jounce of large, young breasts than I did to diction. It was going to be a difficult year.

"Thank you class. I planned to keep you here until noon but it's only a bit past eleven. You're better readers than I expected. Tomorrow come prepared to work all day. And don't hesitate to complain to me or disagree with my directions ... only do it at recess or after class. Don't try it when I'm teaching you. But if you talk to me about it privately we can debate the matter. If you convince me that I'm doing the wrong thing I'll change. But never forget that your teacher is a dictator. And the school board has given me authorization to use this," and I held up a foot long, three inch wide piece of leather. The hushed "aahhhh," from my pupils told me that they were familiar with the old fashioned (and I thought out of legal use) strap. I had no plan to use it but I welcomed its availability in my limited store of persuasion tools.

I watched as they all lined up and trooped to my desk as if they'd been programmed by their parent to shake my had and thank me. The second last to arrive (since the line went from oldest to youngest) was Rhanai Dhillon.

"Thank you Mr. Aspen," she said with a broad smile. Then in a whisper she added "Chode ga? " and showed me the same impish but sexy smile I'd seen last night. In a normal voice she continued, "My old friend came last night. I think that you helped him come back. Thank you."

The 12 year old Jackson boy, the youngest in the class was directly behind her and clearly within earshot but he showed no interest in the brief exchange with Rhanai. From him I got a polite but ritualized 'thank you' and then I as alone in the classroom.

I listened at the connecting door between my classroom and the lower classroom. All was quiet so I knocked.

"Oh! Mr. Aspen! I wondered who it could be."

"So Ms. Simmons. How did your first day go?"

"Simple and easy but I've had practice. How did yours go?"

I picked up on the snideness of her response but I didn't want to spend all year feuding with a teacher who was jealous of my appointmet.

"It went well I think. Would you like to go to the Chinaman's for luch? You don't have to eat his chow mein but he does an acceptable grilled cheese."

"Yes, but Dutch Treat," she replied after a brief hesitation and we went together to the restaurant cum grocery store cum drugstore cum God knows what else.

"I have a rule, Mr. Aspen. I keep my work life and my social life totally separate so I won't make a habit of having social lunches with you. I hope you understand."