CHANGES
1027 Words
I was home. Not really, I was at my workplace. The school.
I loved this place. It was free and I could breath. The sound of kids running around, their laughter and the sound of my co-workers gossiping in the staff rooms.
It was perfect.
I walked into the staff room with a sense of ease after a very tense conversation between me and Mr. Unknown.
I greeted all my fellow staff and walked to my desk to prepare for my class in the next 30 minutes.
Mr. Gio came up to me with a smile and greeted me rather happily.
I smiled back in response hidden my sudden irritation.
He had be trying to get me to date him the past year. And well I was sick of it . It was like he couldn’t tell I wasn’t interested .
He wasn’t my type . To put it he was boring. I mean he was a teacher which is kind of ironic considering I’m also a teacher.
But it’s the truth, I prefer rather mysterious guys.
Like Mr. Unknown.
My mind drifted once again to him.
I was snapped back into reality by the sound of Gio’s voice asking me out again.
I had gone on a date with him before which I didn’t enjoy and ever since then he had tried asking me again and I refused severally.
“I’m sorry Gio , I really don’t have time for dates”
He sighed. “ it’s alright, just let me know when you will be free. It doesn’t have to be a formal date, I just want to talk to you”.
“Ok, I’ll let you know”
He finally left for his class and I followed my cue as the bell rang for class to begin.
It was Art class. My specialty.
The classroom smelled faintly of paint particularly oil paint and chalk dust, a very comforting mix.
Which was usually comforting.
But today it wasn’t as comforting.
Twenty small bodies sat scattered across the room infront of me, their voices overlapping each other as they argued about which color the sun should be. I smiled and nodded at them trying to get them back on track but I wasn’t focused.
My mind kept wandering to the streets,outside. Wondering where he was and what he was doing.
I caught myself glancing at the window much than I needed to.
I was brought back to reality when one of my students pointed that two of my students weren’t around today.
She repeated her statement, and I answered again but didn’t really register what she said, my hands moving through habit while my thoughts stayed elsewhere.
Teaching had always grounded me. It was the one place my father’s name didn’t matter. Where I was just Maria. Miss Caruso. The art teacher who let them make a mess as long as they cleaned it up after.
I scanned through the class
Two seats were empty .
They had been for the past week.
Luca and Danny were “supposedly sick” and couldn’t come to school. They had been sick for an oddly long time.
I was bothered but went on with class as usual. The class flew by.
I frowned as the bell rang for break.
The children rushed out, laughter echoing down the hall,and I stood alone in the sudden quiet, staring at those empty chairs.
They told they were sick.
They’d told me the same thing yesterday.
And the day before that.
I wiped my hands on my skirt and stepped into the hallway. The staff room buzzed with noise, coffee machines hissing, teachers complaining about lesson plans and late salaries.
I leaned against the doorframe, listening.
Another lockdown rumor,” someone said.
“They say it’s because of gangs,” another replied.
“No, no, it’s political. Always is.”
I swallowed.
Rumors were cheap in Palermo. The truth wasn’t.
When school finally ended, the tension in my shoulders hadn’t eased. If anything, it had worsened. I walked toward the gates slowly, bag slung over my shoulder.
And as if to take me out of my thoughts. I saw him and Sam.
Mr. Unknown stood by the car, arms crossed, eyes scanning the street with practiced calm. He looked out of place here against the soft chaos of children and parents.
He noticed me immediately.
He always did.
“Busy day?” he asked as I approached.
“Yh, but same as always” I replied “You?”
“Not busy but different,” he said simply.
I raised an eyebrow “hmm.. that’s reassuring”
I glanced at Sam who sat in the driver's seat now.
He was quiet and uninterested as usual.
Mr. Unknown opened the back door, and I slid into the back seat and he joined me at the back too.
We didn’t speak for several minutes.
I hated that I was the first to break it.
“Two of my students are missing,” I said quietly while staring out the window watching the passing cars.
His and Sam’s posture stiffened a little. Almost imperceptibly.
“Children miss school all the time.” Sam replied.
He spoke for the first time.
“Not like this.”
Neither of them responded
I leaned forward towards Mr. Unknown “You know something.”
“I know how dangerous curiosity can be,” he replied.
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one I can give.”
“ Fine at least tell me your name?”
“Feddrico”
Feddrico the name rolled out of my tongue with ease. It suited him.
I said the name again trying to etch in my brain.
He and Sam shared a knowing glance
I leaned back, crossing my arms, irritation blooming. Realizing the deviation from the conversation. Everyone was once again keeping things from me
“You’re very good at not telling me things.”
“I’m even better at keeping you alive.”
That shut me up.
But it didn’t comfort me.
Worry settled in my mind and it want going anywhere anytime soon unless I had answers.
- Writer
