I love it every time that he praises me for the work I am doing. I hope I can keep making that happen. Soon, I stop dreaming and reach the deeper part of my sleep.
Chapter 4
Stacey
After a long and uneventful weekend, I am so glad that it’s Monday. Out of excitement, I wake up early; I can’t wait to get down to the school. I shower and then dress in my robe. Since I woke up early, I have extra time to get ready.
I dig through my closet, turning down several outfits until I finally settle on a dress I think Mr. Winston will like: It hugs my body nicely, and has a little twirl in the skirt when I walk. I hurry to dress and grab my stuff for work. I want to be at the school early. I fuss with my appearance the whole way over.
After I arrive at the school, I hurry quicker than usual down the halls.
As I reach our classroom, I peek in through the door. I see he is already at his desk; I guess he had arrived earlier than usual. I give myself one last look-over before walking in.
“Good morning, Mr. Winston,” I say happily as I walk past his desk.
“Good morning, Stacey,” he says with a smile before going back to grading papers.
I put my stuff down and watch him for a few seconds. I spend the rest of the time preparing for today’s lesson. The bell rings and the students come walking in. Mr. Winston closes his book and starts writing on the board while I hand out the papers for the day. The sound of the intercom interrupts us. We all stop what we’re doing and look at each other in surprise.
The principal clears his throat over the speaker and begins speaking.
“Attention, students and staff. We are informing you that the coronavirus has arrived in the Washington state area. The school district is waiting for more news. We will share this information with you once we receive it. That is all.”
The announcement ends and the speaker goes silent.
The students are in shock. I go back to my desk. Mr. Winston stops writing and turns to address the class. They look at him with worry.
“Students, I have been watching the news closely these past few weeks. This virus isn’t going away or getting any better. It’s looking like the whole country could be infected soon,” he says. Some of the students start to visibly panic.
“Excuse me, Mr. Winston? I have a few words I would like to say to the class as well,” I say.
“Um, of course,” he says.
He walks over to stand by my desk while I walk to the board and begin to write.
“Now, children, ” I begin, “back in 1918, there was an epidemic known as the Spanish flu…”
The children look at me curiously as I tell them the whole story. This takes up half the class period.
When I turn around, Mr. Winston is looking at me, impressed with my knowledge and explanation of the subject.
“I’m going to offer an extra credit assignment,” he says. “I would like a paper comparing the Spanish flu epidemic and this current virus. You can write about the way it’s affecting the world, or your own personal lives, or how the world will overcome this.”
I look up at Mr. Winston and smile at him as we exchange places.
“Well, I’d like to congratulate Ms. Stacey on her well-explained lesson,” he says.
Everyone applauds me and I smile again.
“In addition to that assignment, you still have your regular lesson and assignment to get through tonight.”
He writes down what chapter they are to read and answers questions about on the board. Class is almost over, so the students hurry to scribble this down before putting away their books.
Before the bell rings, the door to the classroom opens, and we see the principal step inside. We all look curiously at each other. “Ms. Stacey, can I speak to you outside?” he asks.
I look at Mr. Winston for a moment, and then say, “Yes, sir.”
I follow the principal out the door.
“I was wondering if you could give this message to Mr. Winston. It’s urgent. I need to distribute it to all the teachers before the end of school today,” he says.
He hands me a slip of paper. I read it, then look at him in shock. “Right away, sir.” I say.
“Good,” he says before hurrying away.
I take a deep breath, then go back inside. I walk straight to Mr. Winston’s side.
“Sir, the principal asked me to share this with you,” I say, slipping him the memo.
He can tell by the tone in my voice that something is wrong. He reads the paper, then looks at me in shock. I hurry to my desk.
He calls the class to attention.
“Students, I have something important to share with you. If the bell rings, please remain seated,” he says. The students look surprised to hear him speak in that tone, but I can’t even pay attention; I’m too devastated by what I had just read.