“No, I can’t pick up Ed today,” shrilled Ana. “I’m in school now! What do you want me to do? Leave work, and go pick him up? What will the students say. We are having a test today, Roger. Do you know how hard it is for a substitute to give students a test! These kids can make grown adults cry.”
A moment of silence passed as Roger replied.
“Fine!” she shriaked into the phone.

Ana slammed her phone shut and slumped into her desk.
Ms. Ko read her nameplate.

A loud shrieking noise passed through the room, and a herd of children came bustling in.
They crawled into their seats like little animals, and hissed to each other.
“Silence,” said Ana. “We have a test today. Remember?”
A little boy raised his hand in the air.
“Ms. Ko,” he said. “Why is your name Ms. instead of Mrs.?”
Ana sighed, “Because I am divorced.”
“Is it because your husband didn’t love you?” he asked in his small voice.

A moment of silence passed, and Ms. Ko’s face contorted into wily smile.
“Well aren’t you a pleasure to have in class.”