All eyes in the gymnasium were on Simon. Over a dozen students and even more parents and faculty were there to hear his practiced speech. The goal was to keep the kids active throughout the winter, even as snow piled up and made typical outdoor activities impossible.
Throughout the first half, everyone was listening intently. That was the fun part, where he talked about skiing, snowboarding, and sledding. All the fun winter activities. But now he was in the boring part, where he explained body-weight exercises, stretches, and diet. The kids had begun kicking their feet more and hopping out of their chairs that were temporarily set up for his workshop. Even some of the parents had tuned out and started browsing their phones.
I don’t blame them, Simon admitted to himself. This stuff is more up Ryan’s alley. During this season I typically just run on a treadmill and call it a day, not that I’m gonna tell them that. Teaching is about helping the next generation surpass you!
“And it’s always good to exercise together,” Simon said. He was grateful that a few of the adults were still paying him any attention. “When kids see their parents being active, it sets a good example. Don’t forget.”
The end of his preparations had arrived, with his last note card spent. It was time for him to open the floor to questions, though at the current level of interest he wasn’t sure anyone would bother.
Maybe I needed something flashier to end things with. Oh well, hopefully the adults can retain some of the information.
“Okay, that’s all I have for today. I hope you all have a fun, healthy winter!” His voice wavered as he tried to project through the entire room. The turnout was the best he had ever seen for an after-school workshop, yet he felt it was his worst performance by a mile.
As parents gathered their kids and stuffed them back into their coats, Simon gathered up his note cards and slipped them into his backpack. He did his best to not beat himself up over the lackluster reception and instead thought of what he would make for dinner.
“Excuse me,” a voice called out.
Simon looked up and saw a couple, one of the ones that had actually paid attention throughout the whole workshop, standing next to him. He recognized them from a few previous workshops, including the Thanksgiving meals one. They had been solid cooks and he wondered why they even bothered to show up. On top of that, they both looked like athletes.
The woman, the one who had spoken, was short but had toned arms, legs; everything, really. The man was just as fit. Lean like a swimmer or marathon runner, not focused on massive muscle development the way his roommate was.
Why is a power couple like that bothering with my workshops?
“Can I help you?” Simon put on his coat and swung his backpack onto his shoulder.
Who Simon presumed to be the husband spoke next. “Yeah, we just wanted to let you know that we love all that you teach these kids.” He smiled, wide and bright, and held out his hand. “I respect anyone who wants to help make their community better informed and healthier.”
Simon accepted his hand, unsure of what to say.
“And you’re so young!” The wife continued the sentiment. “Most men your age are busy partying or building up a career.”
That comment stung for Simon. I really should be working toward a career. He had planned on applying to multiple jobs that made use of his computer science degree for months, but never ended up going through with it.
“Which kid is yours, again?” Simon asked. The gymnasium was clearing out, with only a few other parents and kids still there.
The husband of the duo, which Simon was more sure of after noticing their wedding rings, pointed to one of the girls chatting by the door.
“Kaylin,” the man said. “The one in the fuzzy pink scarf.”
“Ah, cool.” Simon felt awkward at how the two were staring at him. “She’s a great kid, always excited for every new activity.” He meant his words, though held back that she could be a bit of a sore loser. In fairness, a lot of kids her age were the same way.
“But we actually had another question,” the wife started. She looked up at her husband with a faint smirk.
Simon wanted to wheel the podium he borrowed back to the classroom he took it from and go home to start dinner, but he was happy that some parents were interested in all the work he had done. “Alright, shoot.”
“Well we have a lot of questions,” the husband said. “But how about we go out for drinks some time and talk them all over? You’re old enough to drink, right?” He asked that last part more as an afterthought.
Huh, that’s a first. I guess if they have a lot to talk about then it would make sense, but I can’t imagine they would have many questions for me.
“Well, yeah I’ve been old enough to drink.” Simon zoned out for a moment as he watched other faculty members folding up the chairs and stacking them into a cart. “Oh, right. I suppose we could get drinks sometime if you really want. I don’t think there’s any rule against it? Since I’m sort of contracted in and not a full-time teacher or whatever.”
The two smiled at each other, then at Simon.
“Perfect!” The wife held out her palm. “Here, I can put my number into your phone and then we can figure out a time. I’m sure you want to get out of here as soon as possible.”
Simon was caught off guard but reluctantly handed over his phone. While she put in her information, he looked out and saw their daughter Kaylin running around and chasing another girl who she was friends with in what he assumed was an impromptu game of tag.
“Here!”
Suddenly his phone was being shoved back into his face. He checked his contacts list and saw that “Mira & Rich” had been added under a single phone number.
They’re really joined at the hip, huh. Kind of nice to see a couple that close.
The husband, who he now knew as Rich, put his arm around his wife’s waist. “We’ll be in touch very soon. Really hope you can find the time for our meetup.”
“Yeah, I’ll do my best.”
They both gave Simon a wink before turning around toward their daughter. Simon sighed, out of a combination of exhaustion and confusion, and started wheeling the podium out of the room.
“Oh, and Simon?” Mira called back. They were already halfway to the other side of the gym. “Thanks for keeping an open mind.”
Simon just waved, hoping that would suffice as an acknowledgement.
An open mind? I mean parents and instructors don’t go out for drinks that often. Maybe other teachers have said no to them? They must think that spending my youth teaching kids is open minded.
As Simon pushed the wooden stand out into the school halls, he wondered what kind of questions they would end up asking him. He hoped their eventual meeting wouldn’t be awkward when the time came, though the two seemed too energetic to let anything like that happen. Worst case, he figured they could talk to each other while Simon stayed quiet and not be offended.
Maybe more cooking info? But they really seemed to already know what they were doing. Oh, it’s probably going to be about Kaylin. I bet they want to know every little detail about their daughter’s life. They seem like the kind of parents to micromanage like that.
Once the podium was back to its proper place in the music room, Simon breathed a sigh of relief and made his way to the nearest exit. Although he was nervous going in, and the workshop had a few hiccups, he was happy at least one family was excited by it.
Now what do I make for dinner?
All eyes in the gymnasium were on Simon. Over a dozen students and even more parents and faculty were there to hear his practiced speech. The goal was to keep the kids active throughout the winter, even as snow piled up and made typical outdoor activities impossible.
Throughout the first half, everyone was listening intently. That was the fun part, where he talked about skiing, snowboarding, and sledding. All the fun winter activities. But now he was in the boring part, where he explained body-weight exercises, stretches, and diet. The kids had begun kicking their feet more and hopping out of their chairs that were temporarily set up for his workshop. Even some of the parents had tuned out and started browsing their phones.
I don’t blame them, Simon admitted to himself. This stuff is more up Ryan’s alley. During this season I typically just run on a treadmill and call it a day, not that I’m gonna tell them that. Teaching is about helping the next generation surpass you!
“And it’s always good to exercise together,” Simon said. He was grateful that a few of the adults were still paying him any attention. “When kids see their parents being active, it sets a good example. Don’t forget.”
The end of his preparations had arrived, with his last note card spent. It was time for him to open the floor to questions, though at the current level of interest he wasn’t sure anyone would bother.
Maybe I needed something flashier to end things with. Oh well, hopefully the adults can retain some of the information.
“Okay, that’s all I have for today. I hope you all have a fun, healthy winter!” His voice wavered as he tried to project through the entire room. The turnout was the best he had ever seen for an after-school workshop, yet he felt it was his worst performance by a mile.
As parents gathered their kids and stuffed them back into their coats, Simon gathered up his note cards and slipped them into his backpack. He did his best to not beat himself up over the lackluster reception and instead thought of what he would make for dinner.
“Excuse me,” a voice called out.
Simon looked up and saw a couple, one of the ones that had actually paid attention throughout the whole workshop, standing next to him. He recognized them from a few previous workshops, including the Thanksgiving meals one. They had been solid cooks and he wondered why they even bothered to show up. On top of that, they both looked like athletes.
The woman, the one who had spoken, was short but had toned arms, legs; everything, really. The man was just as fit. Lean like a swimmer or marathon runner, not focused on massive muscle development the way his roommate was.
Why is a power couple like that bothering with my workshops?
“Can I help you?” Simon put on his coat and swung his backpack onto his shoulder.
Who Simon presumed to be the husband spoke next. “Yeah, we just wanted to let you know that we love all that you teach these kids.” He smiled, wide and bright, and held out his hand. “I respect anyone who wants to help make their community better informed and healthier.”
Simon accepted his hand, unsure of what to say.
“And you’re so young!” The wife continued the sentiment. “Most men your age are busy partying or building up a career.”
That comment stung for Simon. I really should be working toward a career. He had planned on applying to multiple jobs that made use of his computer science degree for months, but never ended up going through with it.
“Which kid is yours, again?” Simon asked. The gymnasium was clearing out, with only a few other parents and kids still there.
The husband of the duo, which Simon was more sure of after noticing their wedding rings, pointed to one of the girls chatting by the door.
“Kaylin,” the man said. “The one in the fuzzy pink scarf.”
“Ah, cool.” Simon felt awkward at how the two were staring at him. “She’s a great kid, always excited for every new activity.” He meant his words, though held back that she could be a bit of a sore loser. In fairness, a lot of kids her age were the same way.
“But we actually had another question,” the wife started. She looked up at her husband with a faint smirk.
Simon wanted to wheel the podium he borrowed back to the classroom he took it from and go home to start dinner, but he was happy that some parents were interested in all the work he had done. “Alright, shoot.”
“Well we have a lot of questions,” the husband said. “But how about we go out for drinks some time and talk them all over? You’re old enough to drink, right?” He asked that last part more as an afterthought.
Huh, that’s a first. I guess if they have a lot to talk about then it would make sense, but I can’t imagine they would have many questions for me.
“Well, yeah I’ve been old enough to drink.” Simon zoned out for a moment as he watched other faculty members folding up the chairs and stacking them into a cart. “Oh, right. I suppose we could get drinks sometime if you really want. I don’t think there’s any rule against it? Since I’m sort of contracted in and not a full-time teacher or whatever.”
The two smiled at each other, then at Simon.
“Perfect!” The wife held out her palm. “Here, I can put my number into your phone and then we can figure out a time. I’m sure you want to get out of here as soon as possible.”
Simon was caught off guard but reluctantly handed over his phone. While she put in her information, he looked out and saw their daughter Kaylin running around and chasing another girl who she was friends with in what he assumed was an impromptu game of tag.
“Here!”
Suddenly his phone was being shoved back into his face. He checked his contacts list and saw that “Mira & Rich” had been added under a single phone number.
They’re really joined at the hip, huh. Kind of nice to see a couple that close.
The husband, who he now knew as Rich, put his arm around his wife’s waist. “We’ll be in touch very soon. Really hope you can find the time for our meetup.”
“Yeah, I’ll do my best.”
They both gave Simon a wink before turning around toward their daughter. Simon sighed, out of a combination of exhaustion and confusion, and started wheeling the podium out of the room.
“Oh, and Simon?” Mira called back. They were already halfway to the other side of the gym. “Thanks for keeping an open mind.”
Simon just waved, hoping that would suffice as an acknowledgement.
An open mind? I mean parents and instructors don’t go out for drinks that often. Maybe other teachers have said no to them? They must think that spending my youth teaching kids is open minded.
As Simon pushed the wooden stand out into the school halls, he wondered what kind of questions they would end up asking him. He hoped their eventual meeting wouldn’t be awkward when the time came, though the two seemed too energetic to let anything like that happen. Worst case, he figured they could talk to each other while Simon stayed quiet and not be offended.
Maybe more cooking info? But they really seemed to already know what they were doing. Oh, it’s probably going to be about Kaylin. I bet they want to know every little detail about their daughter’s life. They seem like the kind of parents to micromanage like that.
Once the podium was back to its proper place in the music room, Simon breathed a sigh of relief and made his way to the nearest exit. Although he was nervous going in, and the workshop had a few hiccups, he was happy at least one family was excited by it.
Now what do I make for dinner?
