Chapter eight: Do you believe that Kenneth James is making unreasonable demands on Aster? Do you think that it's healthy for couples to have separate interests? Do you believe that Aster's marriage is in trouble? And if it is, what do you think should be done to repair it? Do you believe that their marriage is worth repairing? Who's responsible for repairing it?
photo by ldyck
Chapter nine
A raindrop landed on Aster’s shoulder as she left the bus stop and headed to the school. She climbed the stairs, pushed on the push bar, and crossed the threshold into her domain. Tap, tap, tap the heels of her flats beat a quick tattoo on the tile floor as she strode down the corridor. Before stepping into her own classroom, she peeked in on her neighbour. She usually diverted her eyes but today she was feeling magnanimous.“Good morning,” she called but the room was vacant of any warm bodies.
And what a state the room was in. Books were scattered like autumn leaves around the classroom. Some... Well, some appeared to have been tossed. Tossing books? She couldn’t imagine what would have caused someone to be in that much of a hurry, to mistreat books so badly. And on the walls...? Paper hung askew like peeling tar paper. Why the desks weren’t even in straight rows. She’d assumed that the room was ill-kept but had had no idea it was in this sorry state. She felt sorry for the students who were expected to learn in such chaos. Her nostril’s caught an unpleasant odour. Mouldy bread? For the sake of the children, she had to take action. No one else had. It was up to her. She began to straighten books but the smell persisted and grew worse. She needed to find the source. Like a knight doing battle with a dragon, she boldly stepped up to the first desk in the first row and began to search. Her stomach flipped. Feeling nauseous, she braced herself and reached her hand into the dark cavernous compartment under the desktop.
“Hey? Ah, what are you doing?”
Aster straightened to face a young woman who wore a flowing skirt and bangles around her wrists. “Good morning, Bonnie.”
“Bun-ny,” said clearly, with emphasizes. “Can I help you, Aster?” The voice was calm—only edged with steel.
“I’m looking for the source of the stench,” Aster explained. “I’m surprised that the janitor didn’t take care of it.”
“Take care of what?” Bunny set the cardboard box she’d been carrying on her desk and then headed down the aisle to Aster.
“The stench.” Aster moved to the next desk in the row. “Surely you can smell it.” She pulled out a binder and flipped through the pages.
Bunny took the binder out of Aster's hands. “Everything is fine. Thank you but I don’t need your help.”
“Oh, yes. I assure you do. If you aren’t aware of the stench, you most assuredly do need my help.” Aster cackled and moved to the next desk. One hand on the chair and another on the desktop, she leaned in and then back. A bank of shelves that stood against the wall caught her eye. The shelving unit was full to overflowing with a variety of items. Aster was appalled at what she identified as a mess.
Bunny rushed over and picked up a lid that rested beside a green plastic box.
The closer Aster grew to the box the more she knew she was right. “That box is the source of the stench.”
Bunny covered the box with the lid.
“What are you attempting to hide?”
“Nothing.” Bunny removed the lid. “Go ahead, look.”
Black, pebbly sludge, mould, rotten apples—food in all stages of decay.
“That—! That is unhygienic and should never— Never! Be in a classroom,” Aster declared with the full force of her conviction.
Observing more closely, Aster noticed something pink crawling through the muck. Was that...? Was that a wor--?
Bunny quickly replaced the lid. “It’s compost—one of our science experiments. The kids find it fascinating.”
“A science experiment? You can’t be serious.” Aster grew silent but only for a second. “I have half a mind to report you.”
“It’s okay, Aster. There’s nothing to get upset about. The principal knows and approves.”
“Well, I never,” Aster huffed. “Imagine expecting students to learn in such squalor. It’s disgusting. Truly disgusting.” She wasted no time in leaving Bunny’s classroom.
Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby
Chapter ten
Arriving early for work, school teacher Aster checks in on the neighbouring classroom. What she finds truly upsets her. She leaves in a hurry heading to...? If you were Aster where would you go?
As you can see our bamboo fence was squashed but our frog was spared. This photo was taken on day two of the clean-up. After I did this...
