Page 44 of Burner Account

Tanner:Damn, maybe I should’ve tried that.

Isaiah:LOL Yeah, it doesn’t work very well.

My thumbs hoveredover the keys for a moment as I debated whether to go on. Some part of me still hesitated to show real-life job cards to someone who only knew me through my burner account, but Tanner and I weren’t hiding things anymore. Eventually, I’d get used to that, but old habits died hard.

Isaiah:I did actually raise one kid’s grade like that a few years ago.

Tanner:Really? Why?

Isaiah:He was struggling hard.

I grimacedat the memory of how upset and frustrated my student had been, especially as his chances of passing the class had dimmed by the day.

Isaiah:My classes are heavy on writing, and I think he had some learning disabilities going on that he wasn’t getting any help with.

Tanner:Oh man. Poor kid.

Isaiah:Right? I tried to get his parents involved, but they just insisted he needed to try harder. Finally, this kid comes to me in tears and says if he doesn’t pass my class, his dad won’t let him do band anymore.

Tanner:What!? That’s some horseshit.

Isaiah:Seriously. And he was ridiculously talented with music. The band director at the time was a good friend, and he raved about how this kid was Julliard material.

Tanner:Wow.

Isaiah:No kidding. But if he didn’t pass my class, he’d lose that. And that just didn’t seem fair to me, you know?

Tanner:Not at all. One of my friends had to drop out of hockey because he couldn’t keep his grades up. He could’ve gone pro if he’d stuck with it, but his parents made him quit.

I groaned and swore aloud.Parents like that drove me insane.

Isaiah:I hate that so much. Consequences, fine. But don’t derail a kid’s entire future over a few less-than-stellar grades.

Tanner:Right? Especially since they eventually figured out the kid was dyslexic. But not before he’d lost four seasons of youth hockey. It’s hard to come back from that.

Isaiah:Damn. That’s a shame.

Tanner:It really was.So the music kid—you raised his grade?

Isaiah:Yeah. I sat him down and told him that as long as I could see he was clearly putting in the effort, I would make sure he passed. If he dicked off in my class or didn’t turn something in, the deal was off. But if he worked hard, I promised him he’d pass.

Tanner:Did he?

Isaiah:Yep. Turned out I didn’t even need to fudge his grade. He actually passed on his own power after that.

Tanner:Really?

Isaiah:Busted his ass. I think taking the pressure off helped a lot. He brought his grade up from a C-, and I made it a B just because he worked so hard.

Tanner:So he was able to stick with music?

Isaiah:Yep. He’s killing it in the high school program right now, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got a full ride to any place he wants to go.

Tanner:Good. Glad he didn’t lose that. I’d have been fucking lost if I’d lost hockey.

Tanner paused,the typing dots appearing and disappearing a few times before he finally sent the message.

Tanner:I don’t think I ever would’ve forgiven my parents for it either.

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