Bernard was a troublesome student, that is certain. Still, at the end of a hard day it was always good to be in the home to the Williamsons, the family I was boarding with in Gladstone. I can still remember how the scent of fresh bread would waft through the house…somehow, that smell of homemade bread made the troubles of my day melt away.

I needed all the help I could get back then. On my fifth day of teaching, I met my nemesis on my way to school.

***

“Well, well, if it isn’t Miss Auclair.”

“I’m sorry Rebekah, I’m running late for school.”

“Maybe that’s for the best.”

“What do you mean? The children need a teacher.”

“That much is true.” Rebekah smiled as if something wicked had occurred to her. “They need a teacher but they need a better teacher than you.”

“Look! I don’t have time to argue this with you right now. I have to go.” Miss Auclair pushed her way past her adversary and carried on down the prairie path leading toward the little white schoolhouse.

“You can run away but you can’t hide. The whole town knows about how you’ve been chasing after that candidate for mayor, Bernard B Stauffer.”

“What!” Miss Auclair stopped in her tracks. “I was just teaching…”

“You were just what…?”

“Um. I can’t say.”

“Of course, you can’t.” Rebekah looked like a cat who had just licked out a bowl of fresh cream. “Just so you know, Bernard belongs to me. And for the rest of it, I’m sure the board will explain it to you after the recital tonight. If I were you, I’d pack my bags for Ogilvie.”

“But…but…”

“Have a good day last day at school Miss Auclair.” As her last dart found its mark, Rebekah strutted off along the path in search of further trouble.