My line phone rang.
I picked it up, "Hello?"
"Hi Brian, this is John."
"Oh hi John, what's new? I haven't heard from you since our reunion. When was it? Six months ago?..."
"I called you, because I have bad news... I thought you should know sooner than later. Mrs. Jenkins husband suffered a devastating stroke about 10 days ago. He is in coma in the hospital..."
"John, are you sure? I mean, he cannot be older than early 40s..."
"The doctors said that he had a hole in the heart that caused it."
"OK John, thank you. I'll have to see if there is anyway I can help... Talk to you soon."
I hung the phone and sat down feeling terrible for Mrs. Jenkins.
Old memories flooded my brain...
In high school I was what you'd call an average kid.
When I attended 10th grade I was 5'6" and weighed 130lbs.
Sports was never my thing... I loved to read a lot!
We got a new teacher. Her name was Mrs. Jenkins.
She was a young, newly married woman at about 5' and weighed around 100lbs.
She taught us geography. It was one of the few subjects I liked.
Her teaching style was different than the other teachers. She never asked us to open books or memorize sentences. Mrs. Jenkins was sitting on her desk and telling us stories about different countries, big oceans, her own travels around the world... I liked her from day one and listened to her stories with my mouth open for an hour at a time.
At home I was fantasizing about going on trips just like her... Visiting the Galapagos islands and riding the big tortoises, enjoying the views of Himalayas in Tibet, experiencing the awesomeness of the pyramids in Egypt...
By then my average grade in all subjects was B-. However in geography I was always A...
At the beginning of the second semester I rushed to capture the front seat, determined to grab Mrs. Jenkins attention and impress her with my knowledge!
My infatuation with geography never waivered throughout high school, and I'd say that 90% of it was related to the wonderful teacher...
When I was 18, a senior, at Christmas time we had a big party. I recall all the boys were bragging about their love fantasies. I often heard the names Marylin Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and Pamela Anderson.
I was always mum. How could I tell them that I was infatuated with Mrs. Jenkins?...
The small lady reminded me of Judy Garland. She was short, with brown somewhat curly hair, big eyes and a cute smile. Unlike the movie stars that every boy was drooling about, her chest wasn't even close to D+... I think it was in the B range. She dressed conservatively. Never a short mini or a big cleavage...
Our last day in high school the students and teachers had a big gathering with a lot of food as well as a large bowl of alcoholic cocktail.
Much of the time I was eyeing Mrs. Jenkins. Toward the end of the evening, probably due the large amount of alcohol in my blood, I got the courage to approach her.
When she saw me, she grabbed my hand, pulled me to a relatively isolated corner and looked at me.
"Brian, I was wondering when you were going to say 'thank you' and 'goodbye'... You know, I always liked you! You were never obnoxious or disruptive like many of the other boys. The only flaw I find in you is your shyness..."
Mrs. Jenkins, you were by far the best and the nicest teacher I have ever had!... Everything I know and love in school is thanks to you..."
She stared at me. "Brian, every teacher dreams about grateful students appreciating their efforts. In your case it was a unique pleasure. I recall trying to understand how come your grades in other areas were much lower. Was it because you loved geography? My teaching style? Another reason?..."
"Mrs. Jenkins, as I said, you are an amazing teacher and your encouraging ways pushed me to the limit. But since it's our last day together I can confess that I am very fond of you as well..."
She had a tear in her eye.
Then she smiled, "Brian, you are very young. It's easy to fall for a teacher at your age. Please don't forget me and I am sure to remember you forever too..." Then she kissed my cheek and left.
And now, 10 years later a major health issue threatening to ruin her life...
I looked for her phone number and after a short search found it.
I called her the same evening. She answered without delay, "Hello, who is it?..."
Her sweet voice that I haven't heard for ages made me shiver... "Hi Mrs. Jenkins. I am not sure if you still remember me, but 10 years ago you taught me geography..."
"Brian," she stopped me, "didn't I promise to NEVER forget you?... How are you doing these days?"
"I am fine. I am not married and I work as a tour guide for large groups travelling abroad, especially in western Europe. As you can imagine, I blame it squarely on you that I stayed a bachelor, as well as my 'geographically oriented' profession..."
It was enjoyable to hear her laugh, "Brian, on the phone you seem to talk much more freely than in person... Or is it because you've matured? I guess after 10 years your confidence has increased..."
"Mrs. Jenkins, i heard about your husband... I am so sorry..."
A more serious tone, "Brian, we learn the hard way that life has good things and bad things that can happen at a moment notice... That's why my moto is 'Enjoy life while you can. You never know what tomorrow brings...'. Do you agree?"
"Mrs. Jenkins, I would like to visit you one of these days. May I?..."
"Brian, first you should stop with this silly 'Mrs. Jenkins'. When I was your teacher, it was the rule, but now...It always sounded to me like a 70 years old nun... I am 42 years now... Please call me Janet. If you agree to this condition, then yes, I would like to see you again... How about this weekend?"
"Ja... Janet, that will be great. Would you rather I be there in the morning or later?"
"The weather channel predicted nice weather during the weekend. If you want to sit at my house for a coffee and cake, come here at 5 pm. However, if you are into active lifestyle and wish to walk the trail in the nearby park, it's better that you be here at 9 am..."
"Janet, I'll be at your house at 9. I can stop at the local store and bring us some bagels with coffee. Are you interested?"
"That will be lovely. Brian, see you soon."
The whole time of the conversation my mind was half distracted by her familiar voice that I liked so much.
It's good that she didn't see me. I was flushed the whole time...
Saturday morning I brought with me a medium size basket with our bagels, 2 cups of black coffee (with Splenda and small milk carton on the side). I added some washed berries in a bag and a bottle of white wine with 2 glasses. Everything was covered with a small tablecloth. In my other hand I held a thin blanket, in case we wanted to sit somewhere along the trail.
Janet appeared slightly different than before. She looked smaller, with few wrinkles around her eyes and mildly greying hair. But her beautiful smile and almond eyes were the same as I remembered.
My heart skipped a beat...
