Mississauga Writers Group
June 2015
Stories & Such
things off his chest or if he should just continue to keep his mouth shut.
In a few minutes Jake was back. “Here you go,” he said, handing over the gooey confection. “I took
the liberty of getting you another coffee.” He placed a fresh cup in front of Sam.
“Thanks,” Sam grunted. He stirred his coffee in thoughtful silence.
Jake had the sense that Sam was bothered by something. He didn’t want to pry, but . . . . “Is
something wrong?” he asked.
“Nah,” Sam brushed the idea aside with a wave of his hand.
“Well, you seem preoccupied.” A thought suddenly occurred to Jake. Maybe the guy was depressed
about recently giving up his position at the university. It was worth a shot.
“Listen, Sam, I’ve known a few teachers in my day, and they all gave me the impression that
teaching is more than a job—that it’s something that gets in the blood. Is that it? You miss teaching?”
“My career is part of the past.” Sam shrugged philosophically. “However, sometimes I do miss the
adrenalin rush of standing in front of a classroom full of eager faces, but it had its down side too.
Besides, I got what I wanted out of it.”
“You mean Lucinda?” Jake couldn’t help teasing his friend about the eighteen-year-old beauty who
had been in Sam’s social studies class some twenty years ago. Lucinda had managed not only to win
his heart, but also to become his wife.
Sam shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I guess you could say Lucinda.”