The Folly of Parents Chapter 2

Early one Saturday morning, as I was accompanying my daughter-in-law for her prenatal check-up, my phone suddenly buzzed with continuous notifications. Juggling breakfast in one hand and her appointment slip in the other, I fumbled for my phone in my bag—Kayla Johnson's mom had sent four or five more messages in the group:

"Mrs. Vance, Kayla accidentally lost her comprehensive Chinese test paper from yesterday!"

"Please snap a picture of the test so I can print a new copy for her to do!"

"Tell me which questions Kayla got wrong so I can help her focus on reviewing them!"

"Mrs. Vance, where are you?"

"Please reply?"

I was about to respond when our turn for registration came up. I shoved my phone back into my pocket, intending to reply after we were done. After registering, paying the fees, and settling my daughter-in-law into the examination room, I finally pulled out my phone to message Kayla Johnson's mom.

Kayla Johnson's Mom, I'm sorry, I was just with my daughter-in-law for a check-up at the hospital, so I couldn't reply immediately. The test papers are all at school. Please wait a moment; I'll head to school to take pictures after her check-up is done.

It was Saturday, a day off, so I thought this explanation would be understood. The next second, Kayla Johnson's mom sent four consecutive voice messages into the group.

"Mrs. Vance, yesterday I said your daughter-in-law's pregnancy would distract you, and you insisted it wouldn't!"

"Today I asked you for a test paper, and it took you twenty minutes to get back to me!"

"Do you know? In twenty minutes, Kayla could have finished an entire page of problems! If you'd given it to me sooner, wouldn't Kayla be done by now?"

Before I could even explain, Miss Hailey Grant suddenly replied in the group.

"Kayla Johnson's Mom, I'm the intern Chinese teacher for our class. I've already sent you the test paper privately."

"I apologize for the delay. It was mainly due to traffic on my way to school. Next time, I'll definitely reply sooner."

"It's Mrs. Vance's first time becoming a grandmother, so she's bound to be a little preoccupied. As parents, we should all try to understand."

Hailey was a fresh college graduate this year and also the principal's niece. Our high school was a top-ranked public high school, generally not hiring teachers without any teaching experience. Hailey had just graduated this year and was admitted exceptionally due to her connection with the principal.

Hailey's words made me deeply uncomfortable. I had been teaching this class since freshman year. On weekdays, I always addressed any parent concerns or questions immediately. Since senior year began, I had sacrificed my personal time countless times to tutor weaker students. Take Kayla Johnson, for example: for three consecutive Saturdays, I went to her home to tutor her for free, all because I wanted every student to face the final exams in their best condition. Now, my daughter-in-law was pregnant, and it was wrong for me, as a mother-in-law, to accompany her for a check-up on my day off?

Before I could explain in the group, Kayla Johnson's mom sent another message.

"Look at her, a fellow teacher, then look at yourself."

"Mrs. Vance, it's a shame you're even a homeroom teacher! If a homeroom teacher of a top class can't prioritize students, then they don't deserve the title."

Several other parents quickly echoed her: "Exactly, Mrs. Vance, you need to understand, teaching is your primary job. We entrusted our children to you because we trust you. Don't betray our trust."

"No matter what, a teacher must always put students first."

"We'll let it slide today, but we hope Mrs. Vance learns from Miss Grant in the future and doesn't let her personal affairs interfere with students' studies."

The parents who spoke were usually on good terms with me; I had even tutored their children for free at their homes on several occasions. I was stunned that they actually agreed with Kayla Johnson's mom. Suppressing my tears, I replied sincerely in the group, aiming to de-escalate the situation: I've received your criticism. It won't happen again.

Later, during morning self-study, as I was leading the students in reading aloud, seven or eight parents, led by Kayla Johnson's mom, stormed into the classroom. Kayla Johnson's mom, her face stern and aggressive, confronted me directly. "Mrs. Vance, would you mind stepping out for a moment? We parents have something to discuss with you." I asked the class president to maintain order, then followed the parents out of the classroom. The moment I stepped out, Kayla Johnson's mom handed me a piece of paper. I took it, and it was a hospital appointment slip for a pregnancy termination.