Chapter 3: The Tipping Point

Two years of crazy work had wrecked my back and neck. The pain kept me up night after night.

The doctor begged me to take a long break and heal.

But it was senior year. I worried that if the homeroom teacher changed now, the students wouldn’t adjust.

So I squeezed in appointments on weekends, trying to keep up with treatment without missing school.

As for taking a real break? I figured I’d wait until graduation.

Never thought I’d get reported for it.

I replied, trying to keep my cool: "Mrs. Parker, teachers get sick too. I only go to the doctor on weekends, on my own time. It hasn’t affected my work with the class."

She came back even harsher:

"Come on, personal time? What’s that? You’re a homeroom teacher—you should be available 24/7."

Now the thread blew up, real Facebook style:

Mr. Evans (Samantha’s dad): "Gotta agree with Mrs. Parker. If you can’t handle it, why take the job?"

Mr. Wilson (Madison’s dad): "Last semester you got married and took three days off. That wasn’t cool."

Mrs. Lee (Tyler’s mom): "We picked you because of your experience. If we’d known you had so many issues, we’d have gone with a younger teacher from the start."

I couldn’t just let that go:

"Dear parents, yes, I have some health issues, but I’ve never let it interfere with the class. These two years have been tough, but I stuck it out for your kids. If I wanted to take it easy, I’d have stepped down already."

Mrs. Parker shot back: "Stop acting all noble. You’re just in it for the extra cash. Everyone knows homeroom teachers get more money. 💰"

Their words stung like a slap—my knuckles went white around my coffee mug, the taste of burnt drip coffee suddenly harsh and bitter.