Miss Jensen Goes to School

Part 2 – Double Jeopardy

For a moment she contemplates calling in sick and staying home from work. Against her better judgement, she decides that she is well enough to go in. She gets up, takes a much-needed shower, and gets dressed. On her way out the door she grabs her new allergy medication. “This new medicine doesn’t seem to work as well as my old medication,” she says to herself. “I should double it up today,” She pops an extra dose, and heads off to class nervously.

Just before Class

By the time Miss Jensen arrives in her room, she can already feel her emotions starting to strain again. As if her day wasn’t going bad enough; there’s a knock on her classroom door. It’s the Dean and the Head Football Coach.

“Miss Jensen, can we speak briefly before class begins?”

“Yes, Dean Jones, is there something I can help you with?”

“Well, the Coach and I are just checking on our star quarterback’s grade situation.

It’s awful important to a lot of folks that he’s eligible to play this Friday.”

“I’m doing everything I can to keep him on track. In fact, I’ll be tutoring him again after school this afternoon.”

The pudgy Dean shifts his feet nervously “That’s mighty nice, and we don’t want you to feel undue pressure young lady. We just really need him, you know?”

“I understand Sir. Like I said, we’re trying… but I can’t make any promises. When all is said and done, it’s up to him to succeed….”

The old coach interjects gruffly “Well that’s kind of a problem Missy. I need more of a guarantee. A safeguard if you will….”

Dean Jones interrupts “Hold on now Coach, we don’t want to confuse our young teacher. She may think we want some lines crossed or something like that…” he says with a shady chuckle. The Dean’s bald forehead shines with beads of perspiration.

“Really?” she asks, crossing her arms in disbelief.

“Of course, not. We’re all professionals here.” Says the slick Dean in a condescending tone. His head is now bright pink, and his sweat is starting to soak through his wrinkly button up shirt, forming pit stains under his arms.

“Oh, good because…” She starts to reply but is interrupted by the shady Dean. “You see, it’s the Coach’s job to make sure we win games. It’s your job to be able to teach your students well enough to see that they pass those important tests, and it’s my job to make sure that I keep a faculty on staff that can do those things. See how it all works.” He says as he stares her up and down.

The Coach steps in close and leans down, his square head only a short space from hers. She can feel his beer belly brush against her. “We’ll check back with you again soon, Missy. Good day.”

Miss Jensen walks back into the classroom and waits for the students to start arriving. She struggles with her emotions and fights back tears and anxiety as she thinks about what just transpired.

“Oh Gawd, would they really fire me if I don’t pass him?”