Cus Strikes From Beyond The Grave

Perhaps it’s a function of the advancing Halloween holiday, perhaps it’s a function of Mrs. Hillbilly Mom’s advancing age, or perhaps it’s just a funk that Mrs. Hillbilly Mom has fallen into rump-over-teakettle. But it certainly seems that Cus is striking from beyond the grave to make sure Mrs. HM’s life is less than smooth. That the fabric of Mrs. HM’s working life is more akin to rhinoceros skin than to the soft, soft epidermis of a dainty Arabian show-horse’s muzzle.

Okay. Striking from beyond the grave may be misleading, because Cus is not in the grave. Cus is merely dislocated, relocated, other-located from Newmentia. However…the spawn of Cus still stalks the hallowed halls of Newmentia, same as The Pony prances hither and yon in the same facility. It seems as though CusChild is channeling the master.

Don’t get me wrong. I have no issues with CusChild. In fact, I wish I had a whole passel o’ CusChilds in my class. Because CusChild is pleasant and respectful and conscientious about the coursework. And because of that, CusChild is quite thorough when completing assignments. However…this thoroughness can sometimes be a thorn in Mrs. Hillbilly Mom’s ample side. Like when she gives instructions on a test that is given at the end of each quarter, which include the phrase, “Please do not write on the test questions.” You see, those questions can be used over and over, without need for jamming the Kyocera and killing trees. Unless, of course, a student writes answers on the test questions before copying them onto the answer sheet.

Not only did CusChild write the letter of the answer on the tiny blank beside the questions, but CusChild also circled the letter of the answer. But that’s not all! In addition, CusChild slashed through the letters of the unwanted answers. Which is good test-taking strategy, really. But quite a fly in Mrs. Hillbilly Mom’s test-question ointment.

There are 52 questions on that test. Times five. Five items per test question that had to be erased. Mrs. Hillbilly Mom’s Pink Pet was panting after that erasure session. That was 260 items to be erased: letters, circles, slashes. Mrs. Hillbilly Mom might have to go on the disabled list due to carpal tunnel syndrome.

No, don't get me wrong. I enjoy having CusChild in class. Just not so much on test day.