Post by StoryGirl83 on Jan 11, 2009 1:15:38 GMT -5
Chapter Forty-Four – Making the Grade
Phoebe was walking down the steps of the building she had just finished a class in when Professor Slotkin hurried to catch up to here from the walkway.
“Ms. Halliwell.”
Phoebe turned around to look at her.
“Got a moment?” Professor Slotkin asked as she filled in the gap between them.
“Yeah,” Phoebe agreed, suddenly apprehensive.
“I had a chance to look over your paper on childhood imaginary friends,” Professor Slotkin told her as she came to a stop in front of her.
“Yeah. And let me guess,” Phoebe said, readying herself for yet another put down. “You found it to be a shallow, pop psych examination on the subject?” She steeled herself, readying for the worst.
Professor Slotkin bowed her head down to look into her bag as she spoke. “Hardly.” She pulled Phoebe’s paper out of her bag and handed it to Phoebe.
Phoebe looked at it with delighted surprise. “An a-minus? Wow. Really?”
“Well, your use of Kolberg’s moral stages was a bit of a stretch,” Professor Slotkin informed her before she continued with some praise, “but overall, quite insightful.”
“Thanks,” Phoebe said softly.
“I especially liked your supposition that the impact of an imaginary friend can actually last well into adulthood,” Professor Slotkin informed her as she remembered the part of the paper that caught the largest part of her attention. “I found that fascinating.”
“So do I,” Phoebe admitted with a smile patting her binder trying to find the words she needed.
A look of surprise, briefly crossed Professor Slotkin’s face before it was gone.
“Uh,” Phoebe tried still trying to find her words, “I have to go. I have to go home and see my nephew off.”
“Off?” Professor Slotkin asked surprised. “I thought you said he was two.”
Caught, Phoebe turned around. “No. This is another nephew. Actually he’s older, and he lives really far away. But I’m late.” She turned once more to walk away.
“Uh, before you go,” Professor Slotkin said hesitantly, causing Phoebe to once more turn around. “I . . . I just wanted to apologize. I prejudged you as a fraud, and you are clearly anything but.”
Phoebe smiled.
“I look forward to reading your next paper,” she told Phoebe. Then, she added, “And to your next column.”
“Thanks,” Phoebe said, still smiling as she reached out her hand and shook her professor’s.
“You’re welcome,” Professor Slotkin said warmly.
Phoebe turned a third time, and this time, as no one stopped her, she continued on home.