[Warm]

"Miss Rigor! Miss Rigor!!!" *Iya sees her know-it-all student out of the corner of her eye but ignores him, trying to give others a chance to answer her question. Once the question is answered, she turns to the irritation.* "Dear, I really appreciate your enthusiasm and applaud your grasp of the subject, but try not to yell out in class so that you are not sent to the office with a referral." *Although her face wears a smile, her narrowed eyes let the student know that his actions are not in the least bit acceptable, so he sits back in his chair and pouts as Iya turns back to the rest of the class and continues the lesson.*

***

*Mondays are always the most frustrating for Iya, for it is the day of groundwork, the day she builds a foundation for the week's activities in her high school English classes.* "I...need...a drink." *She pulls herself into the kitchen, opens the refrigerator from which she retrieves a bottle of cheap wine. Already waiting for her when she reaches the kitchen table is a blue wine glass. She seats herself and pours the wine as she prepares herself for her Monday night ritual wind-down.*