“You are lagging in your studies, Jamie” Tasha removed her reading glasses and dropped it on her desk. “Talk to me. What is going on?”
Jamie’s marks had been below forty throughout the semester. Tasha became worried and asked him to see her.
“Professor Harrison,” Jamie stammered, “I’ve been struggling with the coursework. I need help.”
Tasha set her elbows on the desk. “Of course, Jamie, I am here to help you” she replied. “Tell me more about the areas you’re having trouble with.”
Jamie took a deep breath, and said, “strategic planning, market analysis, and financial management. Those are my problem areas.”
Tasha checked the time on her wristwatch and smiled at Jamie. “I understand your concerns, Jamie,” Tasha said. “These topics can be overwhelming at first, but they become clearer with practice and a deep understanding of the fundamentals.”
Jasmine nodded, listening attentively to all that she was explaining.
“I’m going to give you two books to read.” she stood up and walked to her large bookshelf, pulling out two books. She returned to her desk and dropped them in front of Jamie. “Here they are. I want you to take your time in reading and digesting the content.”
“Okay, Prof.,” Jamie said with much enthusiasm now. “I will do that.”
“I want you to write any question you have as you read. Is that clear?”
“I’m traveling tomorrow,” she returned to her seat. I will be back at work on Tuesday. Let’s see how much later, after lectures, and we can discuss the chapters you must have read so far.”
“Okay Prof.,” the guy’s face lightened up. He was glad she was ready to help him. “Thank you so much, Prof.”
He stood up.
“Okay, have a lovely day,” said with a reassuring smile. “I’ll see you on Tuesday.”
She checked for the time again after Jamie left. She was supposed to be at Tyson’s game by now. Tasha shut down her laptop. Gathered her stuff together.
Her phone rang in her hand as she was about to drop it in her tote bag. Looking at the screen, she saw it was Trevor calling her, and she swiped across the screen to receive the call.
“Hey, Trevor,” she chuckled.
“Hello Professor,” Trevor greeted back. “How are you doing today?”
“I’m good.”
“Listen,” he started. “The institute is planning a three-day conference, and I would be honored if you can be one of the speakers.”
“When is it going to be?” she asked. “April,” he replied. “During the spring break.”
“Excellent!” she grinned to herself. “I will do it. There’s enough time to prepare.”
“Great, you are the best,” he gave a small laugh.
They talked about their works and ended the call with Trevor promising to send all the details about the workshop to her email box.
Tasha didn’t need to check the time again. She knew she was late now. She picked up her bags and sprinted out of the door.
Tasha finally made it to the school a few minutes after the whistle for the second half of the match went off.
She found a seat amongst the other parents, their faces a mixture of anticipation and pride. Tasha exchanged greetings with them and set her focus on the pitch. She scanned the bleachers, her eyes searching for the familiar flash of Tyson’s blue jersey. There he was, a blur of motion on the field, his number 10 emblazoned on his back. Tasha’s heart expanded with pride as he ran along with the others after the round leather.
“Your boy did so wonderful in the first half,” Maria, another soccer mom, told Tasha with a smile as she bit into her hot dog sliders. “You have a very agile boy there.”
“Thanks Maria,” Tasha replied and looked on as the boys weaved through the opposing team, their movements fluid and graceful. They were all a whirlwind of energy on the field.
“Look at that!” another parent from the back shouted. “Tyson Harrison is going for the goal. Just watch!”
Tasha watched as Tyson received a pass, his foot connecting with the ball with a satisfying thud. The ball soared through the air.
“Go for it my boy!” Tyson shouted, her heart catching in her throat. “Go Tyson, go Tyson!”
Before she knew it, the ball landed right in the back of the net.
“Yes! Yes,” Tasha jumped up. “That’s my boy!”
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Tyson Harrison had scored the first goal of the match.
A roar of cheers and applause
Tasha, her heart swelling with pride, joined in the celebration, her voice hoarse with emotion.
“Tyson!” Tasha shouted at the top of her voice, her voice hoarse with emotion. “Mommy loves you!”
Their eyes met at that moment, grinning and waving at his mom. The match continued and another teammate of Tyson scored another goal shortly before the end of the final while.
Tasha made Tyson a special dinner that night, and he was so happy. After dinner, she brought out the tub of strawberry ice cream she bought the day before, Tyson’s favorite, and gave him some.
“Thank you mommy,” he beamed into her eyes as he collected the little bowl of ice cream.
“Thank you too,” she returned his smile and ruffled his hair. “For always making mommy proud.”
She watched as his eyes clouded over with fondness.
“Now go and enjoy your ice cream while I clean up here.”
“Okay mom,” he said and went to the living room.
Tasha swept the crumbs off from the table and then piled the dishes into the dishwasher. She started humming one of her favorite country songs under her breath as she worked. She was happy she would see all her family members the next day.
Tasha wiped down the countertops and the stove surface in no time. She washed her hands and dried them off with the kitchen towel and left the kitchen.
Tyson was fast asleep by the time she got to sprawled out on the long couch, his head resting on a throw pillow. She smiled at him, knowing he must be exhausted from the tedious football match. She was glad she made him wash up before dinner. So he only needed to get under the sheets now.
She leaned down and kissed his forehead, whispering, “let’s get you upstairs my superman.” She scooped him up in her arms and carried him upstairs to his bedroom.