Comply or…

PHOTO PROMPT © David Stewart The weather's dismal. It matches my mood exactly. Today's World Teacher's Day but I can't celebrate it because I was fired. Why? I refused to use female pronouns for a transgender student. The student, born a male began identifying as a female. He and his mother wanted him to be referred to …

Music Lessons, Reading & Swimming Naked

She had the book open but she wasn't really reading it. She was too busy sneaking glances at him as he took long, leisure laps in the pool. It felt strange being out there. Usually, they would be inside in the music room where she would be seated at the piano, playing. Her lessons were …

Teaching, Playwrights and Burgers

He reached the plank and emerged from the water. As he hoisted himself out of the water, with his hands flattened on the wood, he turned his head towards her direction. She could tell that he was looking at her. Her heart began to pound like crazy. Should she leave now before he got completely …

Abuja, the Lake & the Girl

She stood by the tree, watching him as he walked along the wooden plank above the lake. He was half naked and bare feet, wearing only swimming trunks. He had a very nice physique. She had never seen him before and she had been coming to this lake for a while now. Was he a …

The Wedding, Part One

iStock Image "I can't believe that the wedding is just two weeks away," Mrs. Agrawal said to her daughter, Rahina. "Yes." "Are you excited?" Rahina nodded. "Yes, I'm excited and nervous too." "I suppose it's natural for you to be a little nervous. I expect Nal is nervous too." "I can't imagine that. He's always …

Running into Rehema & the West End

"Who was that woman we saw as we were coming into the station?" Sarika asked as we waited for the train. We were on their way to see a matinee show of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap in the West End. I hadn't expected to run into Rehema so it was quite a shock when I …

A Teacher’s Confession

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com "Good Morning, father." "Good Morning." She quickly made the sign of the cross before saying, "Bless me father, for I have sinned. It has been five months since my last confession. These are my sins.” Father Culpepper listened as she confessed her sins briefly and clearly. "Father, I'm truly sorry …

Celibacy & Abortion

Father Kiesler was in his office with Bishop Haas. The bishop had just completed his pastoral visit. He seemed quite pleased. "Father Kiesler, you're doing a fine job with the school and the parish," he told him. "As fine a job as the late Father Schmidt." "Thank you, Your Excellency." "Is there something on your …

Canada Day and Family

"Are you sure you want to go to my parents' place?" Joel asked Kira. "They will understand if you tell them that you would rather stay home." "No, I want to go," she replied. "Besides, everyone is dying to see the baby." "I guess so and it's Canada Day today." "Yes, we usually spend Canada …

Apartment Hunting

Although it was Saturday, they agreed to meet in the alley behind his office building. This time Olivia was waiting for him. He smiled as he approached her. They were going to see the few flats from the first listing. He was anxious to see them and hoped that he would find something as soon …