Orca

Date: 6/1/2016

I am almost finished with college, but I am being sent back to my old elementary school to recoup points that I missed from fifth grade. The school is overflowing with talkative children. I feel completely out of place. The noise from the children becomes so unbearable that I fall down on the floor and start to whine. A group of kids begins teasing me, and I quickly stand up. Once I am up, I look around to see that all of the children have vanished into their classrooms. I walk to my assigned room and the teacher has his head sticking out of the door. (He resembles the department head of International Studies at my university.) He tells me the class is over capacity, so I have to complete the homework that is due and return tomorrow to see if there are any seats available. The homework is posted on a bulletin board outside of the classroom. I must read a series of children's chapter books about a friendly orca and write an essay answering questions about each story. I already sense that I will procrastinate on this assignment and turn in lackluster work. I feel confused and angry about my predicament. After leaving the school, I visit a local swap meet. Two men who make custom rings try to make a deal with me, but I don't need a ring. A Sinatra impersonator is scheduled to perform soon. I look at the man and he shares no resemblance to the late singer. He has dark sunglasses, spiky black hair, and baggy shorts. More of a 90s rap metal impersonator than anything.