Ms. Privy

Topic: Your teacher tasks you with writing a story based on an eavesdropped conversation. When the story is published your subject isn’t happy.

Ms. Privy

It is my senior year in high school! Yes!  Oh, this has been a great year! I have had a blast with my friends in school. On top of that, assignments in my classes have been few and far between. Even my least liked class, English Composition, had been enjoyable. But that enjoyment was all about to change.  My English Comp teacher, Ms. Privy, announced to my class the final assignment for the remaining five weeks of class.  I had forgotten about that when I first enrolled in the mandatory class. She was notorious for assigning a huge composition assignment representing 75% of our grade near the end of the school term. Ms. Privy was not well liked at school. Maybe her assignments were to blame, but Ms. Privy never displayed any school spirit. She never took a liking to anyone, except maybe Priscilla. My friends referred to Ms. Privy as the spinster lady who enjoyed making teenagers miserable. As far as I could tell I am not sure any of the other teachers liked her. She kept to herself and never engaged in any conversation outside of class.

Today was the day Ms. Privy would announce the topic.  Thoughts were racing through my head about senior ditch day, the school baseball playoffs and who I would ask to the prom. Oh, man! I did not mind the class, but this really was not the best time for me to apply myself scholastically on a lousy, end of term paper.  I looked at the other students’ faces just before she was ready to reveal the topic. No one and I mean no one looked thrilled, except for Priscilla. Priscilla was a miss goodie two shoes. Teacher’s pet and likely valedictorian receiving the gold medal.  Yuck! I was the direct opposite of her. I managed to squeak by all my classes.  My friends fashioned me a medal out of tin foil to give me at graduation. I would be proclaimed “official bottom dweller.” The title fit.  

The class was poised and ready to hear Ms. Privy announce the topic. “Ok, class. The topic for your 1000 word composition is…Write about a conversation you deliberately overheard that was not meant for your ears. Include in it how that conversation impacted you. In other words, how did you respond to the information.?” No one said anything. I was incredulous. Then I piped up saying to Ms. Privy, “Seriously?  Are you telling us to eavesdrop on a conversation? Isn’t that illegal in 29 states (I made it up)?” She wryly smiled at me saying “there are boundaries on this assignment. Except you cannot, and must not defame anyone’s character with lies or malicious statements. Also, electronic recording devices of any kind cannot be used.” She added, “As an example, say you overhear a friend asking out your girlfriend to the prom. Write about your feelings and how you would respond to the situation.”  I thought to myself I would just punch the guy in the nose and be done with it. Ms. Privy continued explaining, “To add incentive all compositions will be graded and judged only by the school board this year because a collegiate endowment will be given to the author of the winning composition. The winning entry also will be published in the district newsletter. Now class is dismissed and may your ears burn with juicy words.”

“What in the world did I just witness? This woman must be an undercover cop hired by the schoolboard,” I thought to myself. Not to worry. Maybe this is one exercise Priscilla can take highest honors thus endearing herself to a place on the FBI’s ten most wanted list. Ha! Ha!”

Although I am not an exemplary student, I had what some of the experts would say ‘a lot of street smarts.’ I also had watched a plethora of detective and cop television shows in my day to know the wiles of sleuthing and incognito reconnaissance. Knowing that the assignment was due in five weeks, I allocated three weeks to source out a savory conversation. One week to write the composition and six days to edit and revise. On the seventh day of the final week, I owed myself some rest from my creation. Ha! Ha! I amazed myself at my effort to plan this out. Still, I had to take great pains not to make this a magnificent literary work of art. On the other hand, maybe I will give Priscilla a run for her money after all. An endowment would help my efforts a great deal for college.

As I repeatedly processed the meaning of the composition, I became more agitated and annoyed that I would have to spy on my friends.  I really did not want to be a gossiper, a snitch, a turncoat, a sneak. I prided myself on honesty and now this teacher was turning the tables on me. I just could not do this. Then I had a “eureka” light bulb moment! The boundaries of the composition were well-defined. They clearly did not draw limitations as to the person or persons whose conversation(s) one would eavesdrop. I rubbed my hands together like I was Snidely Whiplash from the Dudley Do-Right cartoons of yesteryear.  If Ms. Privy wanted some juicy content, then so be it! Ms. Privy, you are the target of my exposé!

I surmised I would have to be judicious in my timing and a master of camouflage. Sad to say I would have to stalk her throughout her school day. This would be no easy task. I would have to be certain she had no idea she was my intended target. So, the watchful process began. Days passed by. Now I was three weeks into my agenda. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred during my secret surveillance of Ms. Privy. I had nothing on her. Either she had no close associates at school or she was extremely busy because she left the school campus minutes after the final bell every day. I did notice that as soon as she entered her car, she was constantly on her cell phone. My curiosity piqued about this woman. Her behavior at first glance seemed innocuous. But her life from my perspective seemed too routine and empty of relationships. My time on this assignment was well into the fourth week. I had to secure content for my paper. Any secrets she had would soon become fodder for my paper because of her dislike of students.

Her normal patterns were peculiar to me. This woman was really getting into my head. I had to find out more about Ms. Privy. What is the persona behind her stoic personality? What are her interests, her passions, her lifestyle? The drive to know more about her was maddening!  

I had another legendary light bulb moment. Throwing all caution to the wind, I would hide myself in her car with the hope of hearing some juicy phone conversation. I noticed Ms. Privy arrived late to the school the following day. In her haste she left her car unlocked. Several hours later after school had commenced, I entered into the back seat of her vehicle undetected. There were clothes strewn about, so I hid under them. This action of mine was reckless, illegal, and stupid to do it. At the time I was only thinking of being vindicative to Ms. Privy. I had not given any consideration to the consequences of my action. I wanted to make her feel uncomfortable with any truth I might discover.

My waiting paid off. She approached the car. In a single action she entered and sat in the driver seat. “So far so good” I thought to myself. As expected, she dialed up her phone. Since she was in the car, her phone automatically went into her speakers via blue tooth. “At last, the payoff. Time to get the juicy content for my paper.”

The conversation I overheard for the next thirty minutes just mesmerized me. I really was caught off guard in its content.  I had conjured up thoughts prior to this conversation that it was about a clandestine affair with someone. Or perhaps she was smuggling contraband like drugs, cosmetics, or knock-off jewelry. I even thought it might be some drawn out legal battle. Instead, what I heard chilled me to the bone.  Her words and the words of the other person on the call made me feel so sad and forlorn.  I was so remorseful for doing this. The gist of the conversation was Ms. Privy had been talking to a medical doctor. The doctor was updating Ms. Privy on the condition of her six-year-old daughter. She had a congenital condition which had caused her heart and kidneys to be malformed.  From what I understood, the medical team had performed a heart transplant some time ago and were now looking for at least one viable kidney so she would not have to be on dialysis for the rest of her life. The doctor was reassuring her that her status on the transplant was a high priority.  Finding young and willing donors with similar type-matching for her would still be a struggle. In the meantime, her daughter’s condition remained guarded. Quietly, Ms. Privy sobbed.

Ms. Privy arrived at her apartment complex. Once she entered the building, I was in the clear and left the car. I managed to catch a bus back home. I felt just miserable. I felt shame, sadness, and heartache. I really hated what I had done. It was not enough just to have ill feelings. But, even remorse would not dissuade me from writing the composition. I had to do it. I had to finish it, especially if I wanted to graduate. Now, however, I really could care less about winning or the endowment.

That evening, I stayed up into wee hours of the morning to complete my composition. I revealed everything about her daughter’s medical situation and the need of a new kidney. I also revealed how I came into this information and my concealment in her car.  In effect, I basically apologized for what I had done. In a final paragraph, I added the importance of organ donation and the courage one could show by giving a part of themselves to another person in desperate need, especially a kidney, bone marrow, stem cells, or blood. I fell asleep at my desk.

The sunrise that morning was beautiful. I turned in my paper in a sealed envelope to Ms. Privy. I had a different view of her that day. I also had a different perspective of myself. I began to understand the feeling of compassion or empathy.

Graduation day was just around the corner. The district board had read all of the papers. The verdict was Priscilla had won the endowment. She had her paper printed in the district newsletter. I do not remember what it really was about, but maybe the FBI will read it. Thinking I was in clear, I saw that my paper was printed right after hers! I was awarded a community achievement designation because of my call for organ donation. When Ms. Privy saw my paper, she was livid! She lashed out at me saying I invaded her privacy. Respectfully, I reminded her the premise of the topic for the paper. She remained aloof and annoyed towards me for weeks thereafter.

Then one day well after graduation I got a call from Ms. Privy. She wanted to thank me for my paper. Apparently, several people, young and old came forward to be tested for a kidney match. That process took shape because of a crazy paper. Her daughter now has a new kidney.  Can I claim a small victory? No. But God can! In His own way He used my stupidity and arrogance to help someone get healed.  My thanks to Him!

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20, NIV)

For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. (Mark 4:22, NIV)

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18, NIV)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29, NIV)

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words, you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37, NIV)



Acknowledgement: Reedsy.com 

(NIV, New International Version)