The End Draws Near
Wednesday, August 27th, 2003
The End Draws Near
A Billy Entry
So, from what I hear from my best news source (he should be since he sees pretty much everyone in town every day... or at least he should, if he's not slacking off on his duties...) there has been a bit of a skirmish at the grocery store. If that's the word to use in a situation like this. It sounded pretty serious though, especially for something happening in Lauderville. I've heard that everything is okay now, that one of the robbers was shot and our sheriff was injured, but that things we looking better now. I can't say I know Miranda terrifically well (other than the odd word or two as I grab my groceries I don't think we've spoken) but God... that's not the kind of thing you'd wish upon anyone. Still, we've got good people in this town (for the most part) and things never stay bad for long here.
For the past few week days I've been heading back into school for the year... ugh. The job is a joy, I wouldn't trade it for the world, but a classroom only looks inviting when there are smiling faces looking back at you, waiting to be taught. For now it's just emptiness, piles of old posters badly needing mending to be put up and battered books waiting to be put back on their proper shelves. Plus, we've received word from administration that things are to be done a little differently this year. More emphasis on reading and maths, less on making ants on a log out of celery, peanut butter, and raisins. Personally, I think we'll be able to fit in a bit of everything. But the Powers That Be want to see things a bit more structured. Higher test grades (but who cares about first graders' test grades anyway?), better behavior, all that sort of rubbish. I suppose they're trying to put in place better habits when the kids are young so they don't turn out a bunch of hooligans, tearing up our little towns, so I can't fault them for that, but it makes me wonder whether perhaps a few stories might do just as good of a job as a few extra worksheets.
The end of summer... dead strange, really. Seems to go by so fast. I suppose in that respect I'll never grow up. I'll always be counting the days, just like my students. Good. That's the way it should be.
These last few weeks seem much shorter than the first few, especially since I've been receiving a visitor more and more frequently. And one who, surprisingly enough, doesn't just chuck something onto my porch and run away! Not sure what to make of Dom, really. Friend? Foe? Someone with a high tolerance for pain? I think I've lost count of the number of scratches he's sustained upon arrival at my doorstep. Though the cats seem to be getting used to him. They've stopped ganging up on him and now prefer to take turns when it comes to attacks. It's a comforting thought.
He usually stops by when he's got some time in the late afternoon, or after he's finished work for the day. After he's delivered my mail, even. I've thought about telling him he could just bring the mail when he comes and not make the extra trip out during the day, but the idea that he makes a special trip out to see me... well, I don't feel like seeing my bills when he gets here. I'd rather just talk.
I didn't realize how much I appreciated sleeping in until I had to resume getting up at 6:30 am. Damn it. One of these days I will have to stop in to the deli in town, get myself a real sandwich. The bread at home is starting to feel a little stale, and the cheese... well, let's just say I don't trust it. Looks like I'll be making a grocery run as well.
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