Free Rescue Me by Farrah Rochon

lightly on the door, Renee entered the classroom. “Hello, hello,” she said to the group of fourth graders and their teacher.
    “Look who’s here,” Rashad said. “I hope everyone finished reading their stories this weekend.”
    “I’m sure they did,” Renee said. “Students, get your backpacks and line up at the door. Make sure you bring your booklets to record your quiz scores.” She had to remind the older kids more often than the little ones.
    “I’ll have them back to you before the end of the period, Mr. Richards.”
    “Thank you, Ms. Moore,” Rashad answered. He winked, and Renee hoped he was sufficiently chastised with the look she shot him over the heads of the fourth graders. He knew better than to wink at her in class, and if he didn’t, she would tell him when she returned the students at the end of the class period.
    “Have fun, class,” Rashad called out to his students. “Behave for Ms. Moore.”
    “We will,” the students answered in unison.
    “Behave for my students, Ms. Moore,” he said, winking again. Some of the students giggled.
    “I will,” Renee answered through clenched teeth.
    He was
so
going to hear about this.
    Alex wiped the table with a damp cloth, scrubbing the splatter of blue paint that continued to spread with each pass of the washcloth.
    “Oh, wait a minute, Mr. Holmes. I have a special cleaner that works better with this paint.” Mrs. Overland sprayed a pale green solution onto the table, plucked the towel from Alex’s fingers, and had the table looking brand new with a couple of swipes. “Art time is the kids’ favorite, but in allhonesty, I could do without it. There will be at least one accident, guaranteed.”
    “At least they had fun,” Alex said.
    “You’ll soon learn that more mess equals more fun with this group. They definitely keep me on my toes,” Mrs. Overland said with a good natured laugh.
    Alex chuckled along with her. He’d had a good time today. The kids were attentive, and for the most part, well behaved. Although Alex quickly learned the little angels could turn into devils in an instant. When Mrs. Overland had to step out of the class to take an important phone call, the students had gone wild.
    Alex was completely dumbfounded. On a construction site, dozens of men followed his orders without the least bit of resistance, but give him a roomful of six year olds and he lost all control. No matter how loud he bellowed, clapped his hands, or banged on the table, the little critters had paid him no mind whatsoever.
    Yet when the soft spoken Mrs. Overland had returned to the room, the rowdy students had quieted immediately.
    “You did really well,” Mrs. Overland complimented him. “Most parents would not have lasted the morning.”
    “Thanks,” Alex answered. Even though he didn’t believe he’d done a good job, he appreciated her attempt to make him feel like less of a fool for being overrun by the little heathens. “It did become a bit overwhelming. I’m not sure how you handle them day in and day out. I have a hard enough time dealing with just one.”
    “It’s not always easy managing all those little personalities, but it’s worth it when they come back years later as successful young men and women.”
    “I’m convinced people are born to be teachers. Not everyone can do what you all do,” Alex said.
    “Well, thank you, Mr. Holmes. Now, will I see you tomorrow?” she asked.
    “Oh yeah, I’ll be back.”
    “Good, because I think this is going to do a world of good for Jasmine.”
    “Mr. Powell recommended I gradually back out of the picture. So I figure I’ll stick around full days for the next couple of weeks. Maybe start leaving after lunch the week after next, and the week after that I’ll come for just a couple of hours in the mornings.”
    “That sounds like an excellent plan. She really is a sweet child, Mr. Holmes. I hope you don’t mind my saying so, but I am so very impressed with the way you are raising