Page 2 of For Your Own Good

It’s unfortunate that he can’t.

If Teddy walks out, James will call the headmaster and complain. The headmaster will then call Teddy and remind him that parents pay the bills, including his own paycheck. Belmont isn’t a public school.

Not that he would get fired. Just six months ago, he was named Teacher of the Year, for God’s sake. But it would be a headache, and he doesn’t need that. Not now.

So he stays, counting the minutes. Staring at the walls.

The room is orderly. Sparse. Teddy’s desk is clear of everything except Zach’s paper, a pen, and a laptop. No inspirational posters on the wall, no calendars. Nothing but Teddy’s recent award.

Belmont Academy is an old school, with dark paneling, solid doors, and the original wood floors. The only modern addition is the stack of cubbyholes near the door. That’s where students have to leave their phones during class, an idea Teddy fought for until the board approved it. Now, the other teachers thank him for it.

Before the cubbies were installed, kids used their phone throughout class. Once, several years ago, Teddy broke a student’s phone. That was an expensive lesson.

Five minutes have passed since James walked out. Teddy starts to pick at his cuticles. It’s a habit he developed back in high school, though over the years he got rid of it. Last summer, he started doing it again. He hates himself for it but can’t seem to stop.

Time continues to pass.

If Teddy had a dollar for every minute he was kept waiting by James and every other parent, he wouldn’t be teaching. He wouldn’t have to do anything at all.

Eleven minutes go by before James walks back into the room.

“I apologize. I was waiting for that call.”

“It’s fine,” Teddy says. “Some people just can’t disconnect.”

“Sometimes, it’s not possible.”

“Of course.”

James takes his seat at the desk and says, “Let me just ask you straight out. Is there anything we can do about Zach’s paper?”

“When you saydo, Mr.Ward, are you asking me if I’ll change his grade?”

“Well, I thought it was an A paper. A-minus, maybe, but still an A.”

“I understand that. And I understand your concern for Zach and his future,” Teddy says. “However, can you imagine what would happen if I changed his grade? Can you appreciate how unfair that would be, not only to the other students, but also to the school? If we start basing our grades on whatparentsthink they should be, instead of teachers, how can we possibly know if we are doing our job? We couldn’t possibly know if our students were learning the material and progressing with their education. Andthat, Mr.Ward, is the very foundation of Belmont.” Teddy pauses, taking great joy at the dismayed look on James’s face. Not so arrogant now. “So, no, I will not change your son’s grade and threaten the integrity of this school.”

The silence in the room is broken only by the clock. The minute hand jumps forward with a loud click.

James clears his throat. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to suggest anything like that.”

“Apology accepted.”

But James isn’t done yet. They never are.

“Perhaps there is some extra work Zach can do. Even if he has to read a second book and write another paper?”

Teddy thinks about this while staring down at his hands. The cuticle on his index finger already looks ragged, and it’s only the middle of the term.

“Perhaps,” he finally says. “Let me give it some thought.”

“That’s all I ask. I appreciate it. So does Zach.”

Zach is a smug little bastard who has no appreciation for anything or anyone except himself.That’swhy he didn’t get an A.

His paper was good. Damn good, in fact. If Zach were a better person, he would’ve received a better grade.

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