Page 12 of The Reverse Cinderella

“What about you lovely lady? You got a dollar for poor me? My disability ain’t come in yet this month and I need to live.”

“Sorry, I don’t have my purse with me,” Piaget was glad that she didn’t. There was something off about this man.

Max sidled past the stranger, keeping her away from him. “Come to the bridge in the morning Dusty.”

“I’ll do that.” Dusty raised a hand in farewell and continued up the sidewalk, asking anyone he met for money.

Max put his arm around Piaget and she leaned into him as they walked away. “If you see Dusty, cross the street. When he’s sober, he’s unpredictable and when he’s high he can be violent for no reason.”

Piaget nodded. Suddenly she was glad she wasn’t alone walking home at night. Normally Piaget felt quite safe, but she feared tonight might have gone very differently if Max hadn’t been with her. “Do you know a lot of those types of people like Dusty?”

“Some. Most people are just down on their luck like Ed. Some of them will give you the shirt off their back if you let them and it’s their only shirt. They are just that giving and helpful. There are good people and bad people in every walk of life,” Max and Piaget walked through the park. “We all just want to get through life and find a little happiness while we do it.”

“Are you happy?” Piaget asked as she took out her key.

“I am very happy when I am with you,” Max waited as she unlocked the door. “Anytime you need someone to walk you home, please call me. It’s my new favorite hobby.”

“I will. I promise,” she reached out and gave his hand a squeeze. “Goodnight, Max.”

“Goodnight Piaget,” Max held her hand for a moment then let it go. Piaget watched him disappear into the park then headed inside.

The next morning in Social Media and Broadcasting class, Mrs. Brown smiled benignly at her students. There was three minutes until the end of class and Piaget knew the teacher had something up her sleeve. “I have an announcement to make.”

Everyone quieted down and paid attention as Mrs. Brown continued. “I’m springing a surprise test on you.”

There were groans and Piaget wondered how this was supposed to be a surprise when she just announced that she was going to give them this test.

“It’s important that you study everything that has been taught this term plus any other materials related to this class. This test is going to encompass everything that you already know, should know, and are going to know. Some of the questions you will not be able to answer but you must do the best you can. You will only have the time in class to try to complete the test. I doubt anyone will complete it. That’s okay. This is to gauge what you have already learned and how you would react in situations that we have not already discussed. This test this Wednesday. You have two days to study.”

“Mrs. B, how is this a surprise if you’re telling us about it?” a student asked.

Mrs. Brown’s smile widened. “Thank you, Sasha. The surprise is, whoever has top score, the best score, will start in the broadcasting booth early. It’s extra practice, it’s extra commitment, it’s extra credit and is going to look great on your resume. Only one of you will get this opportunity.”

The buzzer sounded and the room exploded in talk. This was a huge opportunity. Piaget hadn’t expected to get time in the broadcast booth until next term. It would mean an additional three months of experience which would put anyone who got it ahead in the pool of potential employees when they graduated. Piaget gathered up her books and went to the front of the class to speak to Mrs. Brown.

“Mrs. Brown? Could I have a moment of your time?” Piaget asked.

She sat on the edge of her desk, “What can I help you with Piaget?”

“Is there anything in particular that we should study for on this test?”

“Everything.”

“Excuse me?” Piaget sought clarification. Everything was a lot of material.

“Everything that we’ve covered, everything in broadcast history, everything in how broadcasting works, everything in broadcastings projected future. Everything,” Mrs. Brown said as she pushed her glasses up her nose. “The most important question is going to be the first one. Make sure you take the time to answer it properly. Good luck.”

“Thank you.” Piaget wasn’t sure that Mrs. Brown’s advice had helped much but she fully intended to do her best. As she exited the classroom, Adam came up beside her.

“Did you call him?”

“Adam!” Piaget exclaimed. “You’re as bad as Dix, pushing into my love life.”

“Ha! You have a love life!” Adam did a fist pump. “That means you’ve called him.”

“I did,” Piaget admitted. “He even walked me home from the café last night.”

“Awesome. Someday, you’ll be telling your grandkids that I was the one who introduced you two.”