My Fiance Was in the Hospital, and Other Excuses

Last night I went to teach my composition class.  One of the girls came up to me and turned in her paper late.  She said she hadn't been able to turn it in because her fiance was in the hospital. I mentioned to her that her larger problem, in my humble opinion, is that she missed the midterm, which is worth ten percent of her grade.  She was unperturbed.  She then informed me that her sociology teacher had just let her make up the pop quiz she missed in the office later that week.

I was a little stunned, I admit. I am naive. I assume if one is going to miss a significant test, one will be horrified and immediately call the teacher to beg for mercy.  Not only did she not call, she just assumed I'd let her make it up?  My teacherly ire frothed to the surface.

"Well, I don't have a make-up policy," I said.  "The syllabus states you need to make arrangements ahead of time."

"What do you mean?" she asked.  Blink, blink.

"I mean that I don't know if you'll be able to make it up."  Pause.  "I suppose you'll need to get a note from the hospital."

Blink, blink.

"Oh...but..."

"If you get a note, then perhaps you'll be able to make up the test," I said, warming to my cause.  "I do feel bad about your fiance, after all."

On the break, I immediately rushed down to the department office, and sure enough, the dean was still there. I explained the scenario and asked for her advice.  She smirked.  "Was her finger broken while her fiance was in the hospital?" she asked.  I stared, not getting it.  "Because if not, she could have called you."

She is so much tougher than I. But it gave me the strength I needed to stick to my guns.  This is my problem. I watch Supernanny every week, delighting in the naughtiness of America's children, but who knows if I will be able to be tough with my little angel? I can barely ignore bad student excuses. What will become of me?  I must be strong.  Must be strong.  I certainly don't want her to grow up to become a holy terror, incapable of informing teachers when her fiance is in the hospital.