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It was 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, so Benny picked up his pace as he headed to his weekly tutoring session with Ms. Maddie. He knew she’d be furious. She despised tardiness, and he was already fifteen minutes late. 

Most of the students loved Ms. Maddie, especially the boys – since she was easy on the eyes. She was funny, upbeat, and modern, and she made English fun. The only time the students saw her mood darken was when someone was late.

“I won’t tolerate this,” she would say. “You must be punctual.”

By the time Benny arrived, Ms. Maddie was pacing the floor and her face was as red as the dress she was wearing. She told him to open his book and start reading while she finished up some personal business.

Ms. Maddie had a reputation. Rumor had it that she was a cougar, although she’d never done anything to substantiate the allegation. Not that anyone could prove, that is. Most of the boys simply fantasized. After class, the hallway would ring with giggles and whispers as each of them shared their imaginings and invented stories. 

“I’ll be right back,” she said to Benny. “I need to make a call.”

Benny had no real interest in English, so he set his book aside and tried to listen to Ms. Maddie’s muffled conversation. Her tone was harsh and she was definitely agitated, but he couldn’t make out the words that were being hurled. 

There was a light thump, a little more arguing, and then Ms. Maddie went quiet. Benny froze. If he went out into the hallway, she’d know he’d been listening in rather than doing his reading, and she was already upset with him for being late. 

After a good minute went by, Benny’s curiosity and concern got the best of him. He opened the door carefully – trying to prevent its familiar creak – and peeked down the hall.

Ms. Maddie’s phone was on the floor, a few feet from the doorway… and Ms. Maddie was gone. 

TO BE CONTINUED

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Where did she go? Will we ever find out?

I decided to keep the word challenge stories going until month’s end. I’ll be back in school in August, so July is kind of my last hurrah – until next summer. Maybe.

This is an unplanned story, so the answer to what happened to Ms. Maddie is as much a mystery to me as it is to you. Let’s hope she turns up safe and sound in the end. We’ll see.

That’s about all for now. As always, thank you for reading.

I hope you enjoyed the story so far, or my illustration of Ms. Maddie, or both!

Until next time,
-Janet

Word of the Day Challenge: Cougar