The time gap

- Hello dear.

- You never call me dear.

- It's great to hear you too Susan. When are you coming back? I'm in the middle of a class.

- No, you are in recess. Otherwise you wouldn't have picked up the mobile.

- When are you coming home Susan?

- About that, I have these deadlines to cover, could you get a nanny for tomorrow evening? My parents are leaving for the weekend and I won't be coming home until Monday morning. I'll do my best to get there on Sunday but I can't promise anything.

- Why bother really? You've been promising to come home for the last week now.

- Steve... I miss you.

- I miss you too. And so does Jeffrey.

- How is he?

- He's grown so much... you won't recognize him.

- Oh come on, I've only been gone for 2 weeks.

- (sighs) Yes you have Susan, 2 whole weeks plus the last 4 days and possibly 3 more days...

- Oh Steve, that's not fair. If it was your career taking you away you'd -

- I'd start teaching in college like I did, to stay close from our family. I'll get a nanny for tomorrow night. I have this very important faculty dinner to attend to and I'll be wifeless, again.

- Apparently.

- Don't you "apparently" me. I have to go.

Steve walks out of the class, still obviously upset about his conversation with his life partner earlier that same day. One of his students is walking slowly behind him, pondering whether or not she should disturb him. She takes a deep breath, pushes her dark-framed glasses and touches his arm.

- Profesor Taylor? May I have a word with you?
Steve startles for a minute then realizes its her. - Sure Maggie, how can I help you?

- Actually, I don't mean to sound noisy or anything, but I was wondering if I could help you. You don't seem, I dunno, happy?
- (sighs) How did you get that?
- You quoted Tolkien. You never quote Tolkien. You HATE Tolkien.
- Hate is a strong word, but yes I am upset. I can't believe you realized that.
- Well, you were also going mental with the guys that hadn't prepared much of class and that's very unlike you. You're one of the "cool" teachers you know.
- Thank you for that Maggie. I'll be fine. You look tired though, is the essay still driving you mental?
- Just a bit. I just got sacked today. I'll be living out of tips from the new pub I'm working in until I get another job. I hope to get another job.
- You have two jobs?
- Well yeah! I do have a scholarship, but I still have a rent to pay and food to eat. I'm sorry, I'm being innapropriate.
- Why? We are just talking, it's... it's actually good to talk to someone that listens. So this job, what was it?
- Oh, well, I was babysitting this beautiful boy, had been for mmm, a year and a half now, but the husband got sacked from the company he was working in so, I got sacked too. Bollocks.
- Hehehe, saying "bollocks" with your american accent is so funny.
- Sorry.
- How did you get that accent by the way?
- Watching movies since I was a kid I guess. We do have cable in 3rd world countries you know.
- Yes I know... So Maggie, are you free on saturday evening? Oh, I don't mean it to sound like an invitation or anything, I just need a sitter for Jeffrey.
- Jeffrey your son right?
- Yes.
- You want me to babysit your son? Really?
- Of course! You are my brightest student and I have complete trust in your judgement.
- One thing are school papers and another is your only son.
- I trust you Maggie, if you want the job, it's yours.
- Oh thank you so much Professor Taylor!
- You can call me Steve.
- Nope I shouldn't. Oh crap, I'm running late for class! See you later!

She stormed out dropping one of her notebooks. She was one of the very few students that would rather write in paper than in laptops. He picked it up but she was gone before he could see her. He had a spare couple of hours before meeting the boys at the pub. Since Jeffrey was with Susan's parents for the day, he decided to go back to his office and check out what her essay was looking like.