Part 6 {lib}

The class scurried out in a confusion of slamming books, shuffling feet, and dropped pencils.
Eliana and Hayden had history class immediately after homeroom, and they walked together to Mrs. Cornwallis’s class.
“I hope she hasn’t decided to start the sculpting classes today,” Hayden said swinging his textbook.
“Hopefully we’ll learn something normal,” Eliana replied. “But then again,” she said, considering, “Mrs. Cornwallis’s class can hardly be classified as “normal.””
“Agreed,” Hayden laughed, as they entered History class. Mrs. Cornwallis was writing dates up on the blackboard as the students took their seats.
“Good morning, class,” she said, smiling. Her eyes took them in over the rims of her sparkly red glasses. “I’m sure you’re all just as excited as I am to be learning about Teddy Roosevelt and the many fascinating things he did throughout his lengthy and significant career.”
She almost sounds like the textbook, Eliana thought absently.
“However,” Mrs. Cornwallis was saying, “We have focused more on Roosevelt’s early presidency for the past three weeks. Starting today, we will be studying the area of prehistoric reptilian animals and how they affected Roosevelt’s presidency and decisions.”
Hayden raised his eyebrows, but the class was only mildly surprised. Mrs. Cornwallis was well known for her eccentric views on education.
“To begin, let’s brainstorm a little. Who can give me some ideas of how prehistoric reptilian animals affected Roosevelt?” Mrs. Cornwallis asked brightly.
Her students exchanged uncertain glances with each other. The room was dead quiet.
“Brandon, how about you? What might be some affects of prehistoric animals on the President?”
Brandon shook his shaggy hair back out of his eyes. “Uh…none?” The class burst into laughter. Mrs. Cornwallis was not amused.
“Hayden?”
“Well,” Hayden began. He fumbled for an answer. “They were very…ah…strong! And aggressive! And so Roosevelt was inspired by their example and … uh… used their tactics in defeating his enemies?”
“Not bad,” Mrs. Cornwallis said. “Anyone else?” No one raised their hand. “Very well. Open your books to page 376 and read along with me. The first reptile we will learn about is the apatosaurus…”

School was over at 2:00, and Eliana was unlocking her car door at 2:05, after dropping off an extra credit project for Mr. Beckman and leaving a note for Mrs. Cornwallis about the sculpting class. She arrived at work as usual, at 2:25. She had worked at Walk-It-Off Gyms for the past year as a receptionist. Her manager, Gary, was marking something on a clipboard when she walked in.
“Eliana, on time as usual, good to see you. Don’t forget to mark your hours on your time sheet. Tom! Can we move those dumbbells to Room 3? Sammy, how about a cup of coffee? A cinnamon prune cappuccino would be great right about now.” He hurried off to assist a customer and Eliana shoved her backpack under the desk. Her job as a receptionist, while unglamorous, provided ample time for her to complete her homework.
She had just settled down to reading her history chapter when a tiny, skinny old woman stalked into the lobby. Silver hoop earrings swung back and forth beneath her white hair, which was in braid straight down her back. She carried a bright red, leather handbag and wore smart black sweat-suit.
“Maybe you can help me, young lady,” the woman said, pushing wisps of snowy hair behind her ears.
Eliana looked up, smiling pleasantly. “What can I do for you?” she asked.
“My name is Mrs. Xymena Kirk and I’ve been coming here for three years, attending programs and stuff. Well, when I started I was 120 pounds. Then I lost a ton and was only 80 pounds. Well, that was last year! I’ve been coming faithfully since then and I haven’t lost an ounce!” Mrs. Kirk finished.
“Well, Mrs. Kirk, you could speak to a councilor about your present condition, or I could give you some pamphlets. But personally, Mrs. Kirk, I think you look fabulous,” Eliana dared to say. Mrs. Kirk smiled shrewdly.
“You’re a clever girl, you know that? Sweet of you to say so.”
“No, Mrs. Kirk, I’m absolutely serious. You are terribly fit! I have your record here on the computer, tracking all your progress and you’ve never missed a session and are typically ahead of you class. I wouldn’t be worried about your weight.” If she loses anymore, she’ll practically disappear, Eliana couldn’t help thinking.
“Well, that’s nice of you.” Mrs. Kirk appeared to be lost in thought. Suddenly, she perked up. “Say, do you like pigs?”
“Excuse me?” Eliana asked, astonished.
“Pigs! Do you like them?”
“Well—sure, I guess so,” Eliana answered, uncertainly.
“Because my friend is looking for someone to take her pig, Ursula. She can’t take care of her anymore and she’s looking for a responsible person to give Ursula to,” Xymena Kirk explained.

As the brilliant and esteemed Lemony Snicket so poignantly puts it, "Miracles are like meatballs, because nobody can exactly agree on what they are made of, where they come from, or how often they should appear."

There must be five comments on this section before Rach will post the next one, and they must be longer than four and a half words. They must say something beyond "LOL." or "Funny." If you need help, look at Caleb's very acceptable comment on the previous section.

[My aversion to purple forces me to change the background yet again. I hope this will not cause any discord.]
Goodbye.