Between the Sheets
it.
    TERESA
    It’s north. It’s a smaller school.
    MARION
    And how long were you there for?
    TERESA
    Two years.
    MARION
    Why did you move here?
    TERESA
    I had wanted to teach here since I graduated.
    MARION
    And you managed to sneak your way in?
    TERESA
    I didn’t sneak my way into anything. It’s quite difficult to find a position at a school like this.
    MARION
    I’m sure there are all kinds of positions out there for—
    TERESA
    There aren’t. I know people who’ve been on a waiting list for years… and that’s just to supply. Some of my classmates are serving tables just to—
    MARION
    Well, you’re young. I’m sure—
    TERESA
    I’m not that young.
    MARION
    No? You look it.
    TERESA accidentally knocks her pencil off the desk. She begins to search for it. As she does, MARION reaches to the floor and grabs it.
    MARION looks at TERESA and extends her arm to offer the pencil. TERESA takes it from her.
    TERESA
    Thanks.
    They look at one another for a moment.
    Mrs. Siller, do you…
    MARION
    Do I…
    Beat.
    TERESA
    Do you have any more questions? About Alex, perhaps… about his report card?
    MARION looks at her.
    MARION
    No. No, I think I’ve taken up enough of your time.
    MARION stands and places her binder on the desk. She puts her glasses back in the case. She walks to the back of the room to collect her things.
    I appreciate you sneaking me in, Miss Stewart. I know it’s been a long day.
    TERESA
    It’s my pleasure.
    MARION
    I’m sure.
    TERESA notices MARION’s binder on her desk.
    TERESA
    You forgot your—
    MARION
    It’s funny though…
    Beat.
    You seemed surprised to see me.
    Beat.
    TERESA
    Surprised?
    Beat.
    MARION
    Yes. When I first walked in. You seemed… surprised.
    TERESA
    I just wasn’t expecting you.
    MARION
    Why? Because we didn’t have a time slot?
    TERESA
    You had a time slot.
    MARION
    No, I don’t think we did. That’s why I tried to catch you at the end of the day.
    TERESA
    Everyone received a time slot.
    MARION
    I’m telling you—
    TERESA
    I was told you wouldn’t be coming.
    MARION
    You were?
    TERESA
    Yes. That neither you or your husband would be coming this term.
    MARION
    And… who told you that?
    TERESA
    Alex.
    MARION
    How would Alex know whether we were coming or not? That’s not something we would discuss with him.
    TERESA
    Sometimes the only way I know if parents are coming is if their child lets me know.
    MARION
    You should have checked with one of us.
    TERESA
    I did.
    MARION
    You didn’t check with me.
    TERESA
    No. I checked with your husband.
    MARION
    With my husband?
    TERESA
    Yes. He was picking Alex up one afternoon so I asked him to confirm… he said that the two of you knew about the interviews but wouldn’t be coming.
    MARION
    You said Alex told you.
    TERESA
    Alex told me initially but I checked—
    MARION
    With my husband. Yes and… when was this?
    TERESA
    When?
    MARION
    Yes. When did you check with him?
    TERESA
    About a week ago.
    MARION
    So… last week?
    TERESA
    I believe so, yes.
    Beat.
    MARION
    Tell me… why is it that my husband seems to be the only one receiving information from you?
    TERESA
    I don’t believe that’s true.
    MARION
    No? You said that my husband knew about the interviews. Why wasn’t I informed?
    TERESA
    I don’t know.
    MARION
    You don’t. You don’t have any idea?
    TERESA
    I left a message on your house line.
    MARION
    I never received any message from you.
    TERESA
    Well, I left one. School policy is that we phone parents… all parents… to let them know about these types of events. I—
    TERESA walks back to her desk. She rifles through the pages in Alex’s folder.
    932-7674. Is that your home number?
    MARION
    Yes.
    TERESA
    I left a message on that line.
    MARION
    This isn’t the first time that this has happened. My husband knew about the museum trip last month that he

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