Confer with Anissa

Monday morning. As soon as you get in, you look for Anissa. She’s alone in the staff lounge, dressed in her usual conservative style, so distracted by her phone she doesn’t notice you approach. You glance at her phone. It shows a poem, maybe a prayer. Yes, a prayer, she’s muttering it as she reads it. The little French you can remember suggests it’s a prayer for courage.

You wait until she’s finished before speaking. When you do, she jumps in her seat.

“Anissa, could I talk to you?”

“Oui, of course, Monsieur Smith.”

You sit down next to her and lean in conspiratorially.

“I had a phone call yesterday from Father Norris. He told me what you’re planning. The petition concerning assembly. Is that correct?”

“Oui. You know?”

“Yes. He said you might need some help.”

“Will you help me?”

“Of course I’ll help you, Anissa. Whatever you want doing. Tell me. I’ll help you.”

She lets out a long sigh, that causes her bosom to rise and fall. A momentary distraction from her dark eyes. Eyes that you could fall into. Eyes currently clouded by her fear but lightening at your offer.

“Oh, thank you Monsieur, thank you. I tried last year. Then I thought it would be easy. I thought the staff would back me. I thought the students would agree. Mais non. Just rejection. And my fellow teachers the worst. You roast beefs, you’ve perfected being cruel while sounding kind. I want to help Father Norris, I do, but after last year. I was praying for courage.”

“You found the staff the worst?”

“It sounds wrong to say, but Oui. The students, some ignored me, some laughed, but many agreed. But even those I call friends took it as an opportunity to question my faith. When I can’t ask friends, who can I ask? And Father Norris felt so let down. He questioned my faith. I felt so small. I didn’t want to do it again, but Father Norris insisted.”

“Alright, why don’t I concentrate on the staff, and you concentrate on the students?”

“Would you do that?”

“Yes, I said I’d help. I’ll help.”

“Thank you Monsieur Smith.”

“Call me John.”

Anissa’s smile is warm and inviting. It alone is worth the hassle. She shows you the Googledoc where she’s set up the petition and gives you access to it. Then it’s time for assembly. You sit next to Anissa.