The first time I saw Mrs. V, Mandy and I were sitting on the quad bench at Encanta High School. The guys called Mrs. V. “the body”. Her perfect figure, perfect smile and perfect personality were just too much perfection for one person. As Mrs. V. walked toward the counseling office, the guys stared and the girls rolled their eyes in disgust at the guys. Right then and there I declared to Mandy I didn’t like Mrs. V.. I also declared nobody else would like that woman either. A pimply-faced, overweight, smart girl like me didn’t want to be around anyone like Mrs. V., the counseling secretary. I guessed she would be about the dumbest person I would ever meet.
Mandy cocked her head to the side in that ‘I’m going to tell you some truth’ look. “Candace, Mrs. V. is going to love you into loving her. Mark my words. She’s been here for about two months and I’ve seen it. She’s just not a regular schoolteacher.”
“She’s no teacher,” I hissed. “Mrs. V. is a secretary, an inferior. I wouldn’t be surprised, Mandy, if Mrs. V. believed 2+2 equaled 5.”
I initiated my act of war with a rumor. I’d heard that Mrs. V. modeled for a questionable organization and no one with any brains would do something like that. I didn’t explain that the ‘questionable organization’ was a church fashion show. The rumor spread easily through my extensive connections that feared questioning me. I chuckled at how easy it was to undo Mrs. V.
I put on my best attitude when I sauntered up to Mrs. V.’s desk for my yearly counseling appointment. She looked me in the eye, smiled and thanked me for keeping the appointment. Hmmm, I thought. She’s too dumb to know about the rumor. Within a few minutes, the counselor whisked by at a full run all the while telling Mrs. V. to reschedule appointments. I smiled. Scheduling misery would be my next tactic towards Mrs. V. as soon as we were alone.
“The body” plopped into the chair next to me with a sigh. “Candace, the counselor is going through tough times with Encanta’s school emergencies. Can you help us? You seem to know many classmates.”
“Sure,” with a arrogant grin on my face, “What do you want me to do?”
“Candace, there’s a vicious rumor about me. The counselor needs to focus her energy on helping students survive difficult living conditions, graduate and live a productive life.” We don’t have the time or energy to worry about a rumor.”
Mrs. V. turned in her chair. Her eyes burrowed into my soul.
Darn, trust and help weren’t in my plan.
“Did you hear that Jessie went from a “D” to a “B” in geometry. Seems he ditched so many classes he missed the details. I helped him while he was waiting for the counselor. Marta can read at grade level since I tutored her after school. Candace, many students at Encanta need our help. Please help us stop the rumor. And, I know this is a lot to ask, but you’re smart because I’ve seen your grades. Would you tutor after school? I’ll pay you.”
I hung my head with tear-stung eyes. Jessie missed school to care for two little sisters because his mom worked two jobs. Marta didn’t speak English when she came to the United States. She studied hard hoping to get a job to support her homebound mother. My family was about to lose our house because my dad was laid off.
I couldn’t stop her. Mrs. V. was loving me into loving her. No one, except Mandy and my parents, cared about me except in fear. I knew if I looked at Mrs. V. she would see the truth and push me away.
“I will help,” I managed with a quivering voice.
I understood what Mandy meant that Mrs. V. was a teacher. She was teaching me about life. On my way to class, Mrs. V. asked if I had seen today’s paper.
“No.”
“Seems the paper ran an article about the church fashion show I was in.” Mrs. V. grinned and turned on her heel.
I overheard her talking to the air, “Lord, you do good work. Another babe on the way.”
A day later on the quad, Mandy stared at me in disbelieve.
“Don’t tell anyone, Mandy. Have to keep up appearances. Mrs. V. really is a teacher, just not a schoolteacher and she’s smart too. Like you said, Mandy, she’s loved me into loving her and I think loving myself. Who would have thought?”
The Body
This page was last updated: July 16, 2009
Connie Van Berkel
Child of God, Christian Book Author
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