Page 6 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
He didn’t look back as he walked down the path and out into the street. I stood for a moment, watching as he disappeared into the fog, and then closed the door. I leaned against it.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” I said.
The words…All the better to eat...ran through my mind as I cleared up, causing my core to pulse with want and need. I hoped the missing part of his sentence wasyou with.
Mr. Wolfe,I thought,a man who would most certainly live up to his name.
Chapter Three
The following day, I settled Grandma after breakfast, waited for Monica to arrive, and then rushed off to the first of my jobs. I cleaned a bar, a shady, shitty establishment, that often had me worried if I needed regular Tetanus injections. Once I’d done that, I headed to college for an afternoon lecture. All my tutors were aware of my situation and most gave me some space and leeway, most. One didn’t, and it was that one I had to sit in front of that afternoon. Mr. Jenkins and I had a mutual dislike of each other that was immediate. I don’t know why, but anyone who targeted me, who humiliated me, wasn’t getting a shred of my respect. On my first day, I happened to move my watch on my arm. He made me stand in front of the entire class, remove it,while asking me if I was bored and clock watching. I had a fucking itch, that was all!
When he, or the school, then lost my watch, I got mad, and that hadn’t helped my cause. Since then, I snarled, and he bullied.
“Nice of you to join us, Ms. Montando.” He knew my name wasn’t pronounced as he said it, but he didn’t try and get it right. His three syllables were another slur, in my opinion.
“Trust me, I didn’t want to,” I replied, sliding into my seat. I wasn’t late. Two other pupils had followed me in, and neither received his snark.
He ignored me for the rest of the lesson, which wasn’t ideal as I hadn’t understood the lecture. I sighed, switching off, knowing I’d have to find my own way of learning the crap science I wouldn’t need once I sat my final exams. All I needed were the right grades to get me into university. I should have done better at school. I could have, but life had other plans for me. Now I was catching up; I was two years older than most in the college, but I was determined. Maybe it was time for me to reach out to my counsellor again. I could do with an advocate on my side. Tears pricked at my eyes, making me angrier. I hated myweaknessas I saw it. I hated having no one, but I didn’t want anyone, either. I didn’t trust, and that made me difficult, I was sure.
Before I was aware of the time, the class hadfinished. I gathered by unopened science book and placed it back in my bag. As I stood to leave, Mr. Jenkins asked me to wait. I rolled my eyes, not helping matters.
“I’m concerned about you, Ruby. You’re falling behind a lot.” He licked his lips, and I squirmed, keeping my distance from him.
“Yeah, well, I have plenty on my plate, and your constant criticism of me doesn’t make me want to participate,” I replied, ballsy.
His eyes opened wide. “No one is forcing you to retake this class.”
“I am, Mr. Jenkins. I’m forcing myself because it would be super easy just to quit. I know I’m falling behind. I don’t understand and I don’t want to ask you for help. I’ll catch up.” I hitched my bag higher on my shoulder.
“If you need… additional help...” his gaze travelled over me and made my skin crawl.
It was my turn to widen my eyes. “I’ll manage on my own, thank you. But I will let the head of college know about your kind offer.”
I left the room fuming, and also knowing I couldn’t report him. He hadn’ttechnicallydone anything wrong other than make me feel very uncomfortable.
Thankfully, my last lecture was my favourite. Technical drawing.
“Ruby, one day you’re going to design a house forme,” I heard. I looked up and into the face of a smiling Mr. Trent. “Super, well done.”
“I think I can do better,” I replied.
“I’m sure you can. We can always do better, but sometimes we have to stop fiddling and find satisfaction. Put your pencil down. Close your eyes and walk through this building. What do you see? What do you feel? If it all adds up, then that’s the best you can do on this project.”
I did as he asked and imagined myself walking home from work. I pictured arriving at a gateway in a lane that led me onto a pathway that wove its way through trees. I could hear the birdsong, smell the fallen autumn leaves. I felt a chill as if someone had walked over my grave and I shuddered, not understanding why. I breathed in deep, inhaling the scent of earth and foliage. And then I glimpsed, in my mind of course, a figure shadowing me. I sped up, running through the woods, trying to look over my shoulder as I did, gasping for air and holding onto my bag as if it contained precious possessions.
I woke with a start and gasp. The classroom was empty. Mr. Trent looked up from his desk and smiled at me.
“What the...?”
“You fell asleep. I guess your imaging was so lovely that you wanted to dream it as well,” he said, chuckling.
I didn’t tell him it wasn’t a dream, but a nightmare. I was so embarrassed at nodding off, however.
“I can’t believe I did that.” I knew I’d be mocked by my fellow students the next time I saw them. “And now I’m late.”
I rushed from my desk.
“Ruby, wait,” Mr. Trent called out. “It’s okay. You were tired. I imagine life is a little hectic right now. I’d rather a half hour of quality time with you than an hour and a half of you tired.”
