Wednesday, February 17, 2010

It's Not My Fault!

Really it wasn't.

This afternoon I was sitting in my recliner reading a book, since I had nothing better to do and no place to sub. And then, surprisingly, my phone rings. It's nearly 1:30, so I'm not sure who it is but it can't be the sub office.

But it is.

It's a call for a sub job teaching 4th grade at one of the furthest schools from my house.

Start time?

Noon.

Yeah.

So I'm thinking, "That's weird. Wonder what's going on up there?" while I scramble around getting dressed, brushing my teeth, grabbing my stuff and running out the door. I drive the half-hour to the school and dash into the office. Pretty much as soon as I walk in the door I realize something is not right. Usually when you get one of these abnormal, really late calls, the office is waiting for you to arrive and there's a spark of recognition in their eyes when you walk in the door. This did not happen. In fact, they seemed very curious who I was and why I was there. I explained that I was there to sub and that I'd gotten a late call about a half-hour ago. Then they seemed really puzzled. This set off a series of events: one of the office people called the teacher, the other checked the sub site to make sure I read the date right I guess (I had). Turns out the teacher wanted the sub for Friday and put the date in wrong. However, now that I was there because of their mistake I now have a choice (this is district policy): I can leave and not get paid, or I can stay and do whatever they want me to and get paid for a half-day. They can't tell me to leave, it has to be my decision. Well, obviously, I wanted to get paid. (I did make the 30 minute drive up there! I didn't want it to be for nothing.) However, I got the feeling they were wishing I'd choose to leave so my sub pay wouldn't come out of their school's fund. I didn't want to leave though, I wanted to get paid, so it was a little awkward.

Eventually they sent me to the library to help out there.

The library people liked me.

I shelved books and covered new books with contact paper for a couple hours. They were very happy to have me and kept saying over and over how it was so great I was there, and "thank you so much". So at least someone was happy to have me around! :)

2 comments:

Betty said...

I'm sure glad those library people appreciated you. I think it's a little rude that they would hint around that you should just leave. This can go down as one of the stranger sub jobs you've had.
Love you!!! MOM

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy you stayed! Seems a little stupid that they would expect you to bust buns getting ready and drive out there just for giggles. An afternoon in the library sounds like a good day to me ; )
Rhonda