Teachers Lounge - Chapter 1

I heard slow and steady clacking, waking me from my daze. He was approaching now! The rumors about him filled my mind, and I shook my head to shed them away.

Clack, clack, clack.

His cane sounded against the tile and he had books under his free arm. His old face looked tired as I noticed it usually did. His grey eyes searched the area as he sensed me blocking his path.

"Hello, Mr. Thomas." I flashed my colleague a bright smile. "We haven't met before--I'm Ms. Norton, the music teacher."

He rolled his eyes. "Ah yes, you're fresh out of school aren't you? What do you want?"

Shocked, I bit my lip. "I--I was hoping to get your help with something."

Mr. Thomas said nothing, gazing past me. I continued. "During literature month we'll be doing a musical, and I wanted your help choosing the right novel."

He made no immediate movement, and he leaned slightly on his cane as if he were bored. "Sorry, no."

I gaped as he maneuvered around me, walking away. I caught up to his heel. "Wait, Mr. Thomas! I heard you wrote novels, so I thought--"

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear, girl."

"It's Ms. Norton, Mr. Thomas. Let's be professional, okay?"

"Scram."

His limp slowed him down so that no matter his pace, I matched it. We had almost reached his classroom when he halted and turned to face me. I could see him trying to meet eyes with mine, but he kept failing. Finally he met eyes with my nose and said "Listen here, girl. I don't like the teaching staff, let alone you. I'm here to do my job and go home."

"We don't have to be friends." I said. "I just need your help with the play."

He didn't reply and remained silent. I knew this was a bad idea! He wants nothing to do with my damned play. We stood by his empty classroom, but I didn't realize it until a student crossed our paths to enter.

I looked down; it was my soloist, Alyssa. The young girl held tightly to her backpack straps, gleaming upward at us. "Hi Ms. Norton!"

I smiled. Now was my chance to impress Mr. Thomas. "Hi, Alyssa. Are you excited to be a soloist for the play?"

She giggled. "I am. Is Mr. Thomas going to be in the play too?"

I scratched my head. If they were already acquainted then Alyssa wouldn't impress him. "Not exactly--I was trying to convince him to help out with it. Why don't you sing for him and show him what we're made of?" I nudged her gently and her grin didn't fade.

"Actually, that's okay. Mr. Thomas said he loves my singing already."

Curiously, I glanced at Mr. Thomas. His gaze felt almost absent. How had this cruel man acted so kind to her? He certaintly wasn't kind to me. Alyssa stepped towards Mr. Thomas, who was alerted by the sound alone. He stood a little straighter and Alyssa reached a hand up to his face. She waved her hand back and forth. "Mr. Thomas, how many fingers am I holding up?"

He blushed pink and said nothing. Alyssa glanced to me, eyes brimming with confusion.

"...I think he's legally blind now." I explained in a whisper. "Or so I heard..."

Stunned, Alyssa flung her arms around him. "Mr. Thomas, I'm so sorry! Last year you said your eyes were getting better!"

Mr. Thomas had turned redder now, patting the child gently on her head. "There's no need to worry about me." he said gruffly. "I'm okay without my eyesight. The doctor said I adapted well to my cane."

Mr. Thomas tapped his cane, but this didn't please Alyssa. Her heart may have well been broken on the floor. "But how you watch my play?"

"Don't worry; I can still hear your beatiful singing, at least."

"Are you going to help with the play then?"

He looked convinced and nodded slightly. Alyssa screamed happily, jumping around where Mr. Thomas stood. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! The play will be perfect with your help!"

I was surprised to hear Alyssa say that. I was the only one on the teaching staff that didn't view him in a negative manner, and I didn't expect a child to have a strong understanding of him when my colleagues didn't.

After saying goodbye, Alyssa scampered to class. I smiled ear to ear, turning to face Mr. Thomas. He was still red in the face.

"What?" he growled lowly. "You can be on your way now."

I couldn't stop smiling. "You must love your students if they make you melt like butter."

"I don't melt."

"You totally do!"

"It's not your business."

Accomplished, I stuffed my hands in my pockets. "Then I'll see you this Thursday for planning?"

"Whatever you say."

He shuffled into his class and I returned to mine, feeling hopeful for the school for the first time since I began teaching there.