Professor Calvin Arc enters the classroom with his briefcase
in hand. He walks to his large desk and places the briefcase on top opening it
to get his laptop out.
Addressing the class, Cal says, “Ok, graduates. Let’s get
started. Your papers have been thoroughly scrutinized and returned to your
inbox. If you have questions then make an appointment with my office but please
be sure to read the generous notes I left for you on your papers first. Thank
you very much. Overall, I was pleased with the stories submitted with one
exception but at least most of you are well on your way to becoming Master
writers.”
Shayla raises her hand from the back of the class.
Cal responds, “Um, Shayla, I need to speak to you after
class. Now class, today we will begin developing your editing skills using the
stories you’ve written from your first assignment….”
At the end of the class, Shayla remains seated until all the
students exit the classroom. Professor Arc is seated at his desk working on his
laptop. His dark graying hair falls just past the top of his glasses but is always kept
short just above his ears. Shayla approaches.
“My paper wasn’t in my inbox. Is there a problem?”
“Shayla.” [sigh] “Your work is still with the review
committee. You might be expelled.”
“So soon? This is the second week.”
“There is always a purging processes done to eliminate
students who shouldn’t be here.”
“Nice. So what am I being charged with? It was just a
story.”
“Just a story? You know, it’s been twenty-some years now,
Shayla. Your story was completely inappropriate for our situation here. You
know my wife is on the review board and you know she objects to you being
here…”
Shayla interrupts, “I think you’re all just over reacting to
a little fiction.”
“It was more like a little juvenile to be honest. You’re
still a good writer. You just need to know how to edit yourself in regards to
content.”
“I’m not sure how to respond to that, Cal.”
“Look, I’ve got a meeting to get to. You wanna meet me for
breakfast tomorrow…off campus?”
“Sure. Sally’s?
“Done. I’ll be there at 7am.”
“Till then.”
Cal and Shayla go their separate ways.
That evening, Shayla sits staring at her computer. From
behind her, she hears a familiar voice.
“How did it go today?”
Shayla responds without breaking her gaze from the computer,
“I have to meet with the review committee. The content of my story is in
question. How was your day, Pete?”
“Endless.”
“Cal wants to meet for breakfast tomorrow.”
“Well that’s encouraging. You know I’m right about him.”
Says Pete.
“I don’t trust him, Pete. He turned on me once before…”
“I trust him. Doesn’t that count for something. Who’s always
right?”
“You are.”
“Then relax, Shayla.”
“What about you, Pete?”
“I told you. When you’re taken care of, I can go.”
“Can’t we just keep things as they are?”
“That’s not fair to you.”
“You’re just like Captain Gregg from that movie with Rex
Harrison and Gene Tierney.”
“That’s my romantic Shayla always comparing life to old
movies.”
“I loved The Ghost and Mrs. Muir but I disagreed with
Captain Gregg. He should have stayed with Lucy.”
“It ended well for them though as it will for us.”
The rest of the story can be found in Life Happens: The Short Story Collection available on Amazon.com and Kindle. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=r+jozwiakowski
