Page 5 of A Spell of Midlife Mayhem

THE NEXT MORNING WAS still and crisp. A thin coating of frost clung to the street and sidewalks, reflecting the weak winter sun into my eyes. The low, pale sun cast shadows across the road as I drove to school.

My abdomen ached as I carried the pile of marked assignments inside and dumped them on Graham’s desk with a loud thunk. He wasn’t in yet. His cluttered desk was disorganised. A coffee cup with the words ‘World’s Greatest Teacher’ was half-full of yesterday’s coffee. Two empty cups with grimy rings inside kept it company. He also appeared to have the world’s largest collection of teaspoons. No wonder there were never any in the staffroom.

I’d be lucky if he showed any appreciation for my heroic effort. What had been keeping him so busy he couldn’t mark them himself? It better have been something important.

I had a free period first, and the principal, Bruce Cross, waylaid me on the way to the staffroom before I could get my first coffee. He wore his usual dark suit with patches on the sleeves. His pale, pasty skin tone highlighted his black mono brow. ‘Ah, Heather, I need a word with you.’

‘Sure,’ I said, edging past him towards the staffroom. ‘Can I get a drink first?’

He jerked his thumb behind him. ‘In my office.’

I abandoned the idea of a coffee and followed him down the corridor, my shoes clomping on the hard floor in time with the beating of my heart. What was this about? Perhaps leaving the class to discuss AI apps had come back to haunt me via a complaint from a parent.

He sat in his oversized leather chair and leaned back, gesturing for me to take a seat in front of his desk. I did as he asked, like a student about to be disciplined for a minor misdeed.

‘What is it, Bruce?’

‘It’s about the vacant deputy principal’s job. You expressed an interest in it a while back.’

I brightened and the air of dread lifted. Had they chosen me for the role? My long hours had paid off, as they should. I was the hardest-working teacher in the entire school, and Bruce knew that.

‘The school board and I have made our decision,’ he continued with no inflection in his voice. He wasn’t giving anything away.

‘I’m ready to step up and take on this new challenge, Bruce. You can rely on me.’ My smile could have fronted a dentist’s advertisement.

He scratched his nose before replying. ‘We have always been able to rely on you, Heather. You’re an exemplary teacher. Everything that has to be done gets done. Your work has always impressed me. In fact, I’d hate to lose you as a front-line teacher.’

My smile cracked a little. ‘So, you want me to transition to the new role over time? Help train my replacement? Is that what you’re saying?’

Bruce leaned forward, folding his arms on the desk, and scrutinised me carefully. ‘You misunderstand me. We’re giving the deputy principal role to Graham.’

I gasped. ‘Graham? You can’t be serious!’

He nodded, as if this ridiculous decision was the wisest and most considered conclusion ever. ‘He’s a go-getter. The confidence oozes from him. The students love him.’

‘That’s not true. He’s hopeless. The kids hate him because he doesn’t explain anything properly.’ The only go-getting he does is to go and get me to do his work for him.

‘I don’t expect you to see the big picture here, Heather. It’s the balance of the overall team that concerns me. You’re an excellent teacher. I can’t afford to lose you to an administrative position.’

I stared at him, speechless.

‘Great. I knew you’d understand.’ He sat back and picked up a report on his desk and began skimming it, as if I had already gone.

There was nothing for me to do but get up and leave.

Now I needed that coffee. After all the hard work I’d put in, it appeared I was stuck in my role with no chance of advancement.

In the staffroom, I texted my best friend, Rachel. I didn’t get the DP job.

Rachel texted back almost immediately. Shit. You deserved it for all the work you did. How do you feel?

Me: Completely bummed!

Rachel: You should look for a new job, gf.

***

THAT AFTERNOON AFTER school, Terry went out. He didn’t say where he was going, only that he would be awhile. He’d better not spend too much of the money I’d been earning. We had only my salary now, and money was getting tighter than a python’s skin after swallowing a goat. We were down to the last drops in our money well, apart from some modest savings we’d set aside for a rainy day. And it wasn’t raining yet.

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