by Brian Fleming

Created on: August 17, 2010

"Is this my last chance?" I ask, despairingly.

"Yes, if you don't do this extra credit report on the migratory patterns of geese, you will fail my class," Mr. Henderson responds coldly.

Migratory patterns of geese?  I don't even know what migratory means.  But the alternative is failing Mr. Henderson's Biology class and having to retake it in summer.  My summer is for baseball, girls, and junk food.  I have to figure out this assignment.

After school I go directly to the library down the street, a place I always avoided in the past.  As the double door front entrance opens automatically for me, I feel like such a nerd.  Who goes to the library on their own?  I remind myself about mornings playing baseball in the park, cute girls at the pool, and pizza for dinner during the summer.  All that would go away if I have to do summer school.  I enter the library.  The automatic doors slid swiftly behind me.

"May I help you, Dear?" I kindly old woman asks, coming up to me.  Yea, can you write my report for me?  Can you make sure I pass Mr. Henderson's class?

"I don't know," I start, "I'm looking for information on some kind of pattern of geese."

"Ahh," she replies smiling, "You must mean migratory patterns."

"Yea, that's right."

"Follow me."  She leads me to a row of books under the Science category.

Many afternoons in the library later, I proudly give my report to Mr. Henderson.  

"You know, Jim," Mr. Henderson says, "You're test grades have been going up for about a week now, that alone changed your grade.  You didn't even have to do this report."

"I need my summer.  It was worth it," I state simply and walk out of his classroom, enjoying the warm summer breeze outside.

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