Cheating

Cheating

by Lori McCloskey

I had known Frank Irving for twelve years. He was a muscular man who liked to work out in the gym and played football at the local university. Frank had a well-kept mustache and beard and didn't have a blemish on his face. He was so handsome and robust that he attracted women wherever he went. The only thing was that the women didn't see Frank for who he was.

I met Frank when we were in grade school. He was not a good student. He excelled only in the gym and couldn't care less about academics. He thought academics were useless and wouldn't get him far in life.

By high school, he only kept his grades up to participate in sports. He was voted the most successful athlete. It was predicted that he would eventually play pro football.

The next fall were both in the same English class at the local university. We were assigned to read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. We would be assigned an essay afterward. When I looked at Frank, he wasn't even paying attention.

Two weeks later, we were assigned the essay. Professor Reed said it was due the following week. I thought it would be a difficult paper to write since the novel dealt with many different themes. I decided to start writing it right away.

After class, I saw Frank in the hall talking to Carol Jones. I overheard Frank asking her for a favor.

"Hey Carol, could you write my essay? I have an important game in two weeks, and if I don't get a passing grade, I can't play. If you do, I'll give you two hundred dollars.

"Of course, Frankie. I'll do anything for you."

I was flabbergasted when I heard Frank ask Carol to cheat. I never thought that Frank would stoop so low. He might have been a lazy student, but I had never seen this side of him.

I wondered how I was going to handle the situation. I couldn't approach and confront Frank. That would be asking for trouble. I was small and knew I didn't stand a chance if we got into a fight.

The only other option was to talk to the professor and hope he believed me. I hated the idea and knew that I was taking a risk. Frank might find out I reported him and beat me up.

I went home and thought about the situation. Cheating was against the rules and morally wrong. If I let Frank get away with it, it wouldn't be fair to those of us who spent hours getting our essays written. I decided to go to take the risk and talk to Professor Reed.

I got up the following morning with butterflies in my stomach. The idea was unnerving, but I knew it had to be done. I dressed, ate, and headed to school. I felt like I was meeting my doom.

When I got to school and went to the fifth floor, I was so weak from the anxiety. I felt like I could have fainted. I went to the water fountain and drank some water. It seemed to help a little.

I walked down the long hall feeling like everyone knew what I was doing. I finally saw the door to the English Department. I took a deep breath and walked inside.

My mouth was dry and felt like cotton. When the receptionist asked me what I needed, I stuttered before I said, "I need to talk to Professor Reed."

"Take a seat. I will let Mr. Reed know you are here."

I sat in a chair by a table where a student was doing his homework. I felt vulnerable and wondered if he knew Frank. As he gazed at me, I felt like he could see through me.

After an agonizing five minutes, Professor Reed left his office and walked towards me. By that time, my anxiety was going through the roof. I was sweating and wringing my hands.

"Hello, Damien; why don't we go to my office,"

Professor Reed's office was small and contained a desk and a bookshelf full of books. When I was seated, the teacher closed the door. I became claustrophobic and wanted out.

After Professor Reed sat down, he asked, "Are you having problems with the essay?"

"No, sir; I am here to report something, but I am afraid to."

"Wouldn't you feel better if you did?"

"I am afraid of the person I need to report finding out."

" You don't need to worry. What you tell me is confidential, and nobody will know why you are here."

I knew the only way to tell Mr. Reed what I witnessed was to blurt it out. So I said, "Professor Reed, Frank Drake is paying someone to write his paper so he can play an important football game in two weeks."

"And who is writing his essay?"

"Carol Jones."

"Thank you for telling me. I will ensure that Frank and Carol don't find out who reported him. By the way, Damien. You did the right thing by coming to me. A lot of students would have just ignored it."

"Thank you for listening to me. I was afraid you wouldn't believe me."

"You are welcome, Damien. Have a good day."

That weekend, I spent my time completing my essay. When I was finished, I felt like I put my all into my work and would get a good grade.

I went to class on Monday and turned in my essay. On the way to my seat, I saw Frank walk up front and turn his in. Even though the teacher said he wouldn't say anything to Frank, I was still apprehensive.

I went to class on Wednesday, and when I got there, neither Frank nor Carol was in class, and I knew why. I found out later that Frank was kicked off the football team.

Since playing football was the only reason Frank went to school, he dropped out and began working at a grocery store. Frank had a chance to excel in life, but he chose to take the quick and easy way. He should have been voted as the most successful loser in high school.