Memoir

I love this job. I can't believe I'm getting paid to read the same chapter out of a book four times and then give a spelling test four times. What a piece of cake. "The next word is 'parachute.'  That was strange. A short, quick movement out of the corner of my eye. What was that? Did someone drop something? I'll keep an eye out in case I see it again. It's probably nothing anyway.  "The next word is 'illustrate.'"  There it is again. Oh NO! Are you cheating? Don't be cheating! Please don't be cheating. Are you really? Am I seeing this? Did you just slide that piece of paper under your test? No, I'm sure I didn't see that. I'll watch again to make sure because I know you're a good student and I'm sure you don't need to cheat, so why would you even try it? You didn't, I'm sure.  "Now spell 'effortless.'"  Oh, shoot. She's really cheating. I can't tell myself she's not any longer. But what do I do? This job is easy, it's supposed to be a piece of cake, but this totally resets my day. Do I say something to her now? No, she'll be crushed if I call her out in front of the whole class. I can't do that. So what //do// I do? "Next word: 'imitation.'" She certainly is cheating. There is definitely a piece of paper under her test. I have to do something. She's a good student and I can't let her get away with it now or she'll think she can do it again. But I don't want to confront her! I don't want to make her feel bad, and I don't want to be the bad guy, but I have to. She did it, not me. //I'm// not doing anything wrong and I am the teacher, I am the teacher, I am the teacher... "Your last word is 'enhanced.'" If I move closer to her, what will she do? She doesn't do anything, she acts like any other student taking the test. But I know I //did// see her cheat, I'm going to say something. I'll just keep her after class and talk to her. I'll do that much, and leave the rest up to her regular teacher. It'll be okay, I'll be fine and she'll be fine and... RING!! "Okay, that's the lunch bell. Put your tests in the box on your way out. Make sure your name is on them or you won't get credit! Cindy, could you come see me for a minute before you leave?"