“Perched on a branch, hidden by a small clump of leaves, standing silently, only his eyes moved to track the grasshopper who suspected nothing as it drew closer. One more step and faster than anyone could see, the mantis reached out and snared its prey, drew it to its mouth and as everyone watched, began to devour it. That is everyone except me.
“Charley stepped in front of Miss Campbell’s desk, faced the class, and started to talk. Nobody was listening except me. For my part I was filled with jealousy, not hate, just jealousy. The others in the class were still gaping at the fish bowl that held the praying mantis.
“Miss Campbell stepped up to Charley and said loudly, ‘Charley, tell us about George. That’s his name, right?’ She had brought the attention of the other students back to Charley. He told the story of how his family went to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee where they found and managed to capture the praying mantis. They put it into a jar along with a big beetle, gone to sleep, only to wake up the next morning and find that the beetle had disappeared. They thought it had escaped but that day they caught another large insect and watched the mantis catch and eat it. Charlie, along with his sisters and brother, named the mantis George Pigeon Forge Riviera O’Toole.
“The kids were positively beaming, all but me. Today was exciting. Miss Campbell told the class on Friday to bring something today, Monday, to talk about their summer vacation. Now, the second week of fourth grade, held out great promise for the rest of the year. Sandra told of how her family went to Springfield, the state capital, and visited many of the places that affected Abraham Lincoln’s long journey to the Presidency, including the cemetery where he was buried. Larry told of his family’s visit to Disneyland. He even had a genuine Mickey Mouse ears hat with his name stitched on the front and he had a Herbie Love Bug model car. Story after story, each of my classmates had a happy tale and souvenirs to show.
“I was unhappy, but I resolved to right this wrong and I never forgot my vow. But, I couldn’t figure out what made me unhappy, but I knew it had something to do with going on vacation. It was not because I was unhappy at home. There, with my mom and dad, I was comfortable and respected. My parents listened to my crazy ideas, my schemes, and my dreams. They never laughed at me like my classmates and teachers did. They only told me that most people didn’t think that way. They said that I might have a hard time selling my ways of thinking, but they encouraged me to continue to dream of how I wanted to change the world. They told me that in time others will come around to my reasoning. That was great, even though I still couldn’t figure out why taking a vacation was so important. It just was. I knew it.
“For my presentation I told the class that I got to help my mom and dad with their jobs. They both worked at the local cemetery, Beit Ha’Chaiyim, which means home of the living. I tried to hold the interest of the other kids, but as I said that I was given an armband that had ‘Aide’ printed on it and that it was my job to direct people to the right spot in the cemetery to where the funeral took place, the kids fidgeted. One even said loudly, ‘Yuck!’
“Miss Campbell was no help. She said ‘Bernard, thank you’ and then without encouragement she ushered me back to my desk.
“Only one of the kids, you my darling, felt my pain. At recess, you told me, ‘Bernard, the other kids and Miss Campbell were wrong to be so nasty to you.’ You said that it made you angry to see me treated that way. Even then as a nine year old, I was perceptive and empathetic. I tended to consider problems as exercises in logic. I thanked you, but my feelings were much deeper. You knew that I was hurting and you offered support to me. You were my hero. Somehow I knew right then and there that I wanted to be with you forever. You remember.
“I didn’t open up to you then. I only told you that I thought that the other kids were not really mean. ‘They just don’t understand me yet.’ I did tell you that I hated my first name. I said, ‘Even though I also do not like my middle name, Jacob, I prefer it and I want to be called Jay’. You said, ‘I like Jay.’
“I often reached conclusions that others did not consider. I still do. Most of the time I have been told that I think too much and I should just accept whatever I am told. In class, my mind would wander and I would miss many lessons. I was not a good student.”
Jay was holding Carol’s hand and looking deeply into her beautiful hazel eyes. They laid there together transfixed for a second. Carol gently withdrew her right hand, sat up, and lightly poked Jay on the end of his nose. “I love the way you tell your stories. You are so passionate and you please me in so many ways. I never get tired of hearing them, even when you know that I have heard them a thousand times.” She moved her hand to caress his left cheek and continued. “We don’t have much time right now. I wish we did.” She kissed him lightly on the lips. Drawing back, they both said, “Disgusting”, and laughed and their eyes twinkled.
Carol arched her back and stretched slightly. Jay, with his hands now locked behind his head, sighed and took note of the symmetry he was observing. As she walked toward the shower, she said, “I am nervous Jay. I know that I will be an asset to the executive team, but you know how office politics and personalities work.”
Jay stood up and as he put his shaving wrap on said, “Carol, every person I have ever met, and that goes back almost 20 years now, has instantaneously been both charmed and impressed by you. You exude confidence and your accomplishments are beyond comparison. After all, how many twenty-five year olds have ever been appointed CFO of a fortune five hundred? Really, you should worry about me. The new semester starts in two weeks. I have taught only two years at Wright College and although I was accepted to the Northwestern doctoral program I have only just now reached the lofty plateau of third to the last in seniority in the Math Department. My only publication is my Master’s Dissertation.”
Smiling a kind of crooked smile, he continued, “You’re going to do great! When they interviewed you last week, didn’t they cite your essay on SEC trends published this month in the Journal of Financial Planning? People always turn to you for guidance and not just where you have worked. At U of C, your professors made you the only student ever to sit on the editorial board for Chicago Booth Review. You got your Masters at age 21 and your PhD less than three years later. I am so proud of you.”
Carol laughed and snapped her towel at Jay. She stepped into the shower and yelled back, “If I’m late on the first day, all of that won’t count for diddly squat”, even though she knew that wasn’t true.
Feeling frisky, Jay protested and with that, she said, “Shut up darling!”
He pouted with a grin, but really, he was worried that he wouldn’t be able to do his share. As a newly minted MBA with a concentration on statistical trends and emergent concepts in national legislation, he was glad to have his job at Wright. It was the only offer he got. The highest level class he taught was fourth semester Calculus. He was a good teacher, intent on relating the course work to subjects the students were interested in. Some even asked for him by name in the higher level courses he taught.
He was kept busy with a course load of four classes per semester and although he was confident that he could handle another class, it was not likely. He wanted to teach Economic Trends and had applied for a transfer to the Economics Department. However, the faculty had been set for some time. There had been no attrition for the last six years.
Lost in his thoughts, not even noticing that Carol was finished in the shower, he stepped into the bathroom, he hung his wrap and turned on the shower. Carol stuck her head in the door saying “I’m going to get some…” Stopping mid-sentence she let out a complimentary whistle and sighed. She continued, “I’m going to get some breakfast near the office today. See you later.” She slapped Jay’s bottom and walked out the front door.
As he stepped into the shower, the phone rang. Glad that they had installed an extension in the bathroom, Jay picked up the receiver.
It was Daniel Goldman, the dean of the school of Arts and Sciences. “Hello Dean Goldman.” Jay was both hopeful and apprehensive and the lines on his forehead creased. The dean said that he had some sad news and a request. Yesterday morning he got a call from the family of Mary Johansson, a colleague of Jay’s at Wright. She passed away that morning. Mary had celebrated her 30th anniversary at the college just last year and she announced her intention to retire at the end of the next year. Jay said that he was very sad to hear of Mary’s passing and he asked Dean Goldman if any arrangements had been made. The dean said no, but that he will let Jay know as soon as he gets details.
There was a pause in the conversation and Jay realized that the dean was having some difficulty with whatever was coming next. Jay did not understand. Mary was in the Political Science faculty, so Jay did not have much contact with her. He hardly interacted with anyone in that department. To break the tension, Jay spoke next. “Dean, you mentioned that you have a request. What can I do for you?”
The dean said, “I am aware of your request to the chairman of the Economics department for an assignment to teach an advanced course in statistical trends in national legislative activities.” Jay perked up. He hoped that he could identify one or two students who could help him with his research on emergent legislative concepts.
Dean Goldman continued, “I hope that you will be able to get that opportunity soon, I really do. But Mary’s death leaves a gap in Wright’s core curriculum. Sometime ago, she gave me an envelope that was only to be opened upon her death. I opened it this morning. In it she named a specific replacement, and that replacement is you.” Jay could only say, “Huh!”
Mary only taught one course. It was Illinois State and Local Government. Despite that, her influence there was profound. This course is a requirement for every degree and certificate at Wright. To accommodate the number of students and to limit the number per classroom to 35 students, there were five classes.
The dean said that he needed Jay to step in. “For all five classes?” Jay asked. Recognizing that he didn’t have any choice, he told the dean that he would do it. He only asked that all of Mary’s notes and lesson plans be sent to him immediately. The dean answered, “Everything is already on its way to you at your condo via messenger along with the class rosters and each student’s records.”
