This Is Just How Caesar’s Legions Got Started

My morning before class started with sleeping through the alarm, and as always, rushing set off a series of other minor catastrophes. When I saw the No Left Turn – Train sign by Chapel Hill Road, I realized I’d have to teleport to make it on time, and my usual pre-class coffee was completely out of the question. (By the way, I haven’t mentioned how that wee sign next to the left turn signal gives me the giggles. Hmm, I didn’t notice the GIANT TRAIN blocking my intended path, it’s a good thing they put up that little sign!) I called my program director, and left a frantic message for him, apologizing for running behind, saying I’d be about 5 minutes late, promising that I was coming to class as soon as I could.

I’ve been on the receiving end of too many work-related last-minute phone messages to feel really comfortable about this news getting to the kids, but when I finally got to my classroom, they were all sitting in their seats, and the chatter wasn’t too loud. I figured someone must have come by to tell the kids to wait quietly, and I asked the kids if anyone from admin had been in.

“No, but don’t worry, Miss Meg. We wouldn’t have told them you were late!” one of my students said immediately. “We’d have said you were here, but off doing something really important!”

I would never ask or encourage the kids to lie to school administration for me, but, secretly, I’m a little flattered that they would have.