Second grade, part 1

In first grade, Reese had been overwhelmed with the new school, and all the firsts she had experienced. Her normally spunky nature was quieted briefly as she learned to be comfortable in a more structured environment. She had loved the teacher and going to school even if it was more structured than what she was her accustomed comfort zone. Second grade, well, that was an entirely different story.

The bad thing about her second grade year was the cranky teacher. She was old, cantankerous, with horned rim glasses looking somewhat like a mean cartoon character; but there was nothing entertaining about her. Structured she was; but so much so that class was never fun, never challenging in any way except the challenge of being still and quiet, very unlike the first grade experience Reese had had.

She was a good student, but far from perfectly studious. Her mother wasn’t surprised when her first report card was full of A’s but with minus signs beside every one.

“I’m proud of all of these A’s, Reese! Be careful though that the A minus doesn’t go lower. You are a smart girl and we want you to always do your best!”

Many kids her age might have felt sad that mom didn’t brag on her grades more, but Reese understood her parents believed she was smart enough to not make anything lower than a B on a report card. She was neither disappointed nor worried, it just was this way. She knew she was smart enough as well, she just didn’t care that the grades weren’t all perfect.

Surviving the austere classroom required determination for this spirited girl. She went home every day ready to run because she had been so subdued throughout the day. Over time she began to relax and didn’t feel the terror that Mrs. Sanderson evoked in all the students.

One particular day the wiggles couldn’t be ignored. Without realizing what she was doing, Reese leaned her chair over on its side. Mrs. Sanderson, in a tone that would put fear in the heart of the largest warrior, called out “Be quiet!” Wondering who would dare talk in this ward, Reese looked up to see a scowl directed right at her. Confusion and fear bloomed in her heart and blossomed on her face.

In the confusion, Reese forgot her manners and began to argue. “I didn’t do anything!”

“Don’t back talk me young lady, I saw you talking to the person beside you.”

Reese looked around the room and noticed a few kids near her with very guilty looks on their faces. The truth began to dawn on her. She was leaning in her chair, it must have looked like she was talking with her neighbor when there were other students who were talking.