The Babyshower

A beautiful, late Spring day was calling out to the student body. No one paid attention to the lesson. The star of the hour was the clock on the wall that counted down toward the end of the school week.

The bell rang announcing the beginning of the weekend. Before the teacher could finish his sentence, everyone was running out of the classroom door. The hallways echoed with the sounds of joy and laughter. Faster than any fire-drill has ever accomplished, the building was empty, except for the teachers.

These all gathered at the lounge, all smiles as they admired the pink and lavender streamers, balloons and plastic table cloths. Food, soft-drinks and presents covered three of the tables. Everyone mingled in expectation of the arrival of the guest of honor. Teri was due over the next couple of weeks.

Teri, the substitute teacher, who was working on her master’s in education. By the end of the school year she would have reached her goal and then the pregnancy. It was another all staff party. She knew she should not have been drinking, but one too many apple martinis lead to a quick trip to the ladies room and Mr. Moroni, the handsome Italian-American twenty-something. He taught music and won her over with his rendition of Fly Me To The Moon.

“There she is, congratulations!” Everyone clapped and rushed to her smothering her in kisses and hugs and scratches and began to rip at her flesh until all that was left was the baby.

“Oh he’s going to be a beautiful addition to the community!”

Everyone took turns holding the baby in the swaddling cloth.