a faded red page on his clipboard

would have to write  print  with either black or blue pen

they irked him

freshman English high schoolwished he remembered the teachers name

                                                                              her first year teaching

credentialed

fresh from college

not seven years older than him

joyouslyoptimistic

her vitality like fire sweptup embraced her students

unchecked unrivaled enthusiasm

                                    but cross hertry to hand in something that wasnt an honest effort she held each and every student accountable

                                             I’m no rubber stamp.

he more than took her at her word

                                        frankly

he was responsible for getting her fired  made her break curriculum

                                                                          deliciously admitted she violated it

had he known he would have raised his hand

                                                    acknowledged

he would have stoodup beside his desk  Me next

 

irked  black or blue

                        first paper he wrote handed in thank God she broke grade schools What I Did on My Summer Vacation. he wrote in red ink a BIC Cristal mediumpoint pen

next afternoon before the commencement bell rang for the fiftyminute class she placed his paper on his desk and told him it was unacceptable

                                    curtly  Rewrite it. Black or blue ink.

after the bell rang class let out he walked up to her desk laid the paper on it  Im not rewriting it in black or blue ink

You wil . .

. . Not

          Not until you have shown me where it says Im required to submit write in either ink

he handed her a black ink pen

she resisted

Take the pen  You can correct my paper with it

                                                   If corrections are needed he was cocky regarding his writing skills

the following day after class let out he remained seated  his desk was in the front row

she looked up at him from hers

    And

she stood opened the drawer at her thighs took his red ink pages out from it took the black pen he had given her out too shut it slowly

                                   softly  femininelycleared her throat

I could find no rule that would require you to submit your work in black or blue ink.

                                                                                         Nor.

Could I find a correction to your paper.

she turned it towards him a black circled A on top the page

                                                                   I’m keeping the pen for when I do find error.

Deal?

Yes maam

              he stoodup  went around to her

she went to hand him the paper

he extended his hand to her

she switched the paper into her left shook his

We have a deal

Yes.  We have a deal.

 

    he wondered when she was let go if she thought  maybe   she had made a deal with a devil

0921,  Sunday,  18  10. 26