Going away for the summer was never something I enjoyed doing with my family. It was a tradition that had held ever since I could remember. The cruise was a fun idea, however, spending the summer with my mother wasn't. It tended to put a crimp in my single, swinging lifestyle. There wasn't much I could do though, the plans were made and I had to fulfill my familial obligations.
The phone rang as I was packing, and I rushed to pick it up. Mom had been busting my ass about the trip for the past few weeks. It wasn't her on the other line though.
"Hello, is this Mr. Kyle Daniels?"
"Yes," I said.
"I'm calling to check up and see if you're still available for filling in for a summer teaching position?"
I jumped up a little inside. I knew it would break her heart, but she'd understand. That and I'd rather get some extra money, so I leapt at the chance. "Yes, of course!"
The rest of the call was pretty standard, and before I knew it I had found myself some summer work and a way out of the dread summer at sea my mother was hellbent on taking me on. The call to let her down easy went less than swimmingly, but I managed. Eventually, she understood and muttered something about taking someone else.
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The next day, I got assigned to my English class for the summer. A lot of the kids didn't want to be there, but for the most of them it was some tedium during the break or repeating a grade. I felt for them, but I wasn't going to go easy on them either.