Episode 7 Mrs Whitfield

Robert faces a very interested female high school teacher.

In late December of 1982, Robert's mother Jeannie tells him after school one day that Tiki is going to see the doctor. Tika is 12 and is the family's Corgi. 

"She just hasn't been herself lately."

 

Robert is a junior in high school and a busy young man. In addition to his regular college prep classes and band, he has switched jobs and is now working several nights per week at a Target store. 

The next night when Robert comes home from school he is consumed with thinking about getting his homework done, and then eating a large meal.  However, Robert's mother asks her teenage kids to join her for a minute to talk.

"I had to put Tiki down today. She had had a stroke and was anemic. She also had kidney failure. There was no other choice to make. She was an old dog. I know we all loved her. I'm sorry."

Robert thinks, Oh my God!  I've had her since I was five years old! She was so pretty! I can't believe I'm thinking of her in the past tense!

The first night is hard. For years the whole family had helped take care of Tiki. She would normally sleep in Jeannie's room though. She was a smart dog who was very much loved, and she returned that love unconditionally.

The next day at school was not easy.  Losing a beloved dog is awful.  Robert appreciated how Tiki would snuggle on the couch with him when he was sick.

This is the first year that I've been at school when Tiki isn't going to be waiting for me when I get home wagging her tail. 

After lunch at school, Robert had a social studies class called Developing Areas. It was a class that studied other countries that were starting to really develop economically or politically. The instructor was an experienced teacher by the name of Sharon Whitfield. Mrs Whitfield is a dark haired, thin, plain looking, quirky woman of about 40 years old.

Robert likes Mrs Whitfield's kindness and people skills. He doesn't  know her well yet, but she seems to care about her students a great deal and shows that with an empathetic voice and manner.

Robert shows up for class a few minutes early the day after Tiki died. He walks into class and Mrs Whitfield is the only one in class sitting at her desk.  Robert tells her about Tiki.  He says, "I've had that dog since Kindergarten."  Mrs Whitfield, as expected, was kind and caring.  "I'm so sorry Robert. I understand though. I love my pets too. They become part of the family."

A week later, Mrs Whitfield assigns the most challenging and longest report of the first semester.  A typed essay on a developing country of the students choice. These would have to be pre-approved of course, and after being graded students would have to present their information to the entire class.

 Typed?  Oh great. I can't type!

Robert cautiously approaches Mrs Whitfield's desk right after class. 

"Is there any way at all that I can just hand-write the assignment since I can't type?  I've never taken a typing class, and I, ummm, promise to write neatly. I promise."

After looking carefully at Robert for what seems like a full minute, Mrs Whitfield replies. "Ok.  But this is between us. Do not tell anyone else in class. I know you've been through a lot lately. Everyone else is required to type their assignment. I expect a neat handwriting young man. Can we agree to this?"   

Robert smiles and thanks his teacher a few times.  "You're awesome Mrs Whitfield."

Robert is very surprised to get this permission.  He couldn't help notice that Mrs Whitfield has been more personable with him lately.  

Robert gets going on his research report right away. He tries especially hard to write neatly. He turns in his paper on Brazil the day it is due.  

A few days later, Robert, who sits in the back of the classroom, is chatting with Angie. Angie sits in the row to Robert’s right side. No students sit in the desks in front of him. Robert is interested in Angie. He thinks she might have a boyfriend, but he likes her and hopes to get to know her better.  

Quite unexpectedly, in the last few minutes of class, Mrs Whitfield sits down in front of Robert. She sat backwards on the desk in front of him to face him. This catches his attention which had been focussed on Angie's beautiful face and smile.  

"So Robert…."  Mrs Whitfield began. "I graded your report.  Very nice job. You worked hard."  Then she smiled seductively.  "I was able to read it too."

Umm. Does she not know that other students are around?

"You write hard on your paper."   She continues looking intently at him..

"I do what?"  Robert asked.

He starts to feel his face burn and a sense of embarrassment coming over him.  He is getting more female attention from a woman older than his mother than he is from Angie. Robert hopes the bell will quickly ring so he can leave.

Mrs Whitfield then reaches out and touches Roberts hands and forearms. "You're a strong guy Robert. I'm surprised you don't just break all your pens when you write. You press down so hard."  Robert sees that other students are noticing this awkward exchange.

When the bell mercifully rings a minute later, Robert quickly gets up to leave. He notices that Mrs Whitfield doesn't dismiss the students, nor does she wish them a nice weekend as it is the last class of the day on that Friday.  She says quietly to Robert, "You're gonna leave then."  She looks down to the floor.  

Robert spends the rest of first semester avoiding contact with her.  He wants the end of this semester, January 24th, to come as soon as possible. No one in this class subsequently says anything to him about his odd contact with his social studies teacher.

Robert is relieved when the second semester starts and he has new classes to attend.  He rarely sees Mrs Whitfield anymore since the high school is a large building with three floors. Robert avoids going near Mrs Whitfield's wing on the second floor. 

At the end of May when school is getting out for the year, Robert catches up with Kenny, his friend he has known for several years.  The last day of semester two is nearly done. What a relief!   He can sleep in now most days and more fully enjoy the summer weather.  He is starting to think of making college visits over the summer. 

Kenny and Robert are thrilled that it is the last day of school, and Robert suggests they go out for lunch since it is only a half day.  Robert has a car and offers to drive Kenny home afterwards. They plan on going to the taco place.

Kenny says, "Before we leave school I just need to drop off my final report to my teacher. Then I'm done!"  Robert follows Kenny as they talk about how hungry they are for lunch. Robert quickly becomes uneasy as Kenny walks toward Mrs Whitefield's classroom. Robert stays in the hallway as Kenny turns in his assignment.  

Robert feels tension build as Mrs Whitfield follows Kenny out of her classroom.  When she sees Robert she loudly says, "Well, well, well!   There he is!  Robert!  You've been actively avoiding me lately haven't you? Have you missed your favorite teacher?"  She says this with total sarcasm. 

Robert says nothing.   

"Oh. Ok. Well I guess you don't like me anymore so I'll just stop harassing you."  She rolls her eyes as she turns back to Kenny. 

Robert notices the two of them share a knowing look, but is still surprised when Kenny gives Mrs Whitfield a warm hug. Then Kenny kissed her on the cheek and says, "I'll see you around Mrs Whitfield."   

"Bye bye sweetie."  She says, smiling brightly.  

Holy crap!

As the two boys walk quietly out of school to the parking lot, Robert finally asks his friend disgustedly, "Have you slept with her?" 

 

Kenny smiles widely, "We never did much sleeping when we were together buddy."  Kenny laughs out loud as they reach Robert's car. 

Robert looks down in the driver's seat and murmurs quietly,  "I think I just lost my appetite."

Author's Note

What do you think of Mrs Whitfield?

Reviews

[DIVYA]

I think Mrs. Whitfield is a criminal and should be incarcerated for at least 20 years for corrupting the morals of a minor. Why wasn't she reported and why was no action taken against her? Robert has great self preservation instincts and he saved himself from being scarred. I feel sorry for Kenny. His is going to be a dark life. A story that evokes very strong feelings in your reader.

[Ballpark Frank]

I'm so glad this evoked strong feeling. Although it's a fictional story, this stuff really happens. It's terrible for the innocent too. Thanks my friend for reading and encouraging me.

[DIVYA]

Always here. Keep posting Frankie. :)

[emmajoygreen]

I have little or nothing to think politely about Mrs. Whitfield. Hopefully someone will report her, she'll be taken to c ourt, she'll be found guilty and never be hired as a teacher again. She abused her post as a responsible human being; she has surrended any and all her rights. That said, you wrote this chapter carefully (not noticably, but obviously did). What was going to happen built up and up without obvious misdemeanours (sp) until it became overly obviousl, slow steps reached the high points at an appropiate time. Finish first class.

[Samuel Dickens]

I'd say Mrs. Whitfield is reckless and apt to eventually get fired and/or go to jail. We watch the news and know these things happen. And here we have another inappropriate run in with an older female. A bad thing, but apparently not in Kenny's eyes. So sad about Tiki. Losing a pet so loved can cause a lasting heartache. Me being a car guy, I think it would be nice to add a few details about it -- the make, how much he paid, etc. More good writing--it held my interest well.

[Ballpark Frank]

Thank you Sam. I think this stuff from teachers was more common, and even somewhat accepted years ago. It's sick though since it tends to ruin young lives.

[Sara Mercury]

Another one of those evil female pedophiles. Ekk.

[Ballpark Frank]

This teacher has no boundaries. Yuk.