Mrs. Johnson checked her wrist watch. Twenty past three. It had been snowing for almost 2 hours now. Looking out the window behind her, she could barely see the playground across the court through the thick white flakes of snow, falling in a slanted direction under the northeastern wind gusts.
Rake was sitting alone at her desk, flipping through the pages of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. Her thin jacket was zipped up to her chin, the hood pulled over her head. The pink straps of her Dora the Explorer backpack slid off her shoulders as she slouched in her chair and swung her feet—in pink and green polka dot rubber boots—back and forth.
“Maybe I should call your mom again?” Mrs. Johnson said.
Rake shrugged her shoulders. “She don’t get off work ’til six. She won’t be here ’til six.”
“Surely with the weather this bad—”
“Mama don’t like being called out early. She say it mess with her paycheck.”
What kind of mother, Mrs. Johnson thought. She sat her chin in her palm and drummed her fingers on her desk. Hank should be home with the boys by now. She picked up the framed picture of them at the beach last summer, Hank buried up to his neck in the sand, her youngest, Trey, balancing his red pail on top of his father’s head.
Why did the board even schedule school for today, knowing a foot of snow was in the forecast? It was bad enough they included Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a snow make up day in the school calendar, having to make up last week’s snow fall. At this rate, the kids would be in school all through Spring Break, and possible deep into their summer vacation.
Mrs. Johnson looked out the window again. The roads were already treacherous. Another hour, and they’d have to spend the night at the school and more than likely freeze, as the heat was already struggling to stay on.
“Do you live far? Maybe I can drive you home?”
“Don’t got nobody to watch me.”
“Not a grandparent? Your father?”
Rake shrugged again.
Mrs. Johnson sighed. Is this what Dr. King’s dream has come to, she thought, innocent children being abandoned at the schools during a blizzard—the parents too poor to leave their minimum wage jobs to pick them up?
Mrs. Johnson took her coat and scarf from the coat hanger. “Come on. We’ll have a sleepover at my house.”
Rake closed her book and put it under her desk. She hopped from her chair and tightened the straps on her backpack.
Mrs. Johnson took her hand and lead her out of the classroom. “Do you like hot chocolate?”
“Oh, yes!” Rake licked her lips. “With marshmallows!”
—Nortina
Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge for writers to create a 100-200 word story (sorry I went over 😦 )using the provided photo prompt. Click the froggy icon to read other stories inspired by the photo and add your own.
Enjoyed the rad. Well done.
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What a lovely teacher. One that really cares and isn’t just there for the money. Good story Nortina.
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Thanks! I think I jinxed myself writing this story, because I ended up getting snowed in. Not at school though… just the airport. Haha!
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LOL There are worse places to be snowed in.
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awww she’s such a kind-hearted teacher! thank goodness for them and thank you for sharing!
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And thank you for reading 🙂
Much apologies for the delayed response. The massive snow storm put me out of commission for a while, but I’m back!
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That’s alright! I hope you and your loved ones are safe from the storm!
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I can imagine that this happens only too often. Great story Nortina! I felt like I was right there watching it happen. So glad the teacher was willing to take her home with her.
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The world is a happier place with teachers and caregivers like Mrs. Johnson. 🙂
Thanks for reading!
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This story seems all too real. Lucky there is a caring teacher. Hope everyone stays safe.
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Yes, a caring teacher can make a world of difference sometimes.
Thanks for reading!
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