Mr Fingerton’s Eyes -Chapter 8

 

Mr Fingerton’s Eyes

A Novel

By Paul McCann

Chapter 8

Clinic Day

 

 

On the day the community clinic came to administer booster shots for the school children the normal routine at school was disrupted as an action plan was put in place to get all the children in and out of the sick bay as quickly as possible . While the boys were getting their injection shots there would also be a general check over in an attempt to bring about an awareness of proper hygiene and how to clean teeth properly . There were two nurses present who would document and administer the health care during the day . 

Mr Fingerton was as little on edge about the visit as he hoped they wouldn’t ask the teachers to also to have a booster shot .  It was a busy morning at the school with the two nurses attending to the students and the teachers , helping to maintain good behaviour was in place .  Each teacher had to remain outside the sick bay while their students were being seen one by one Some of the teachers were standing there drinking coffee with one hand and reading from a book in the other  , When Mr Fingerton brought his class to the sick bay  he spoke briefly to the nurses .

“Well, how is your day going so far . Any problems?”

One of the nurses replied ,

Oh, just some a few little issues but nothing too serious .One ear infection another with a sore throat and a few who screamed in fear when we gave them their injections . Looks like a few students may end up with hearing loss “

Mr Fingerton looked a bit worried and said ,

“Oh no! I wasn’t told about that.”

The nurse just smiled and said ,

“ Well, that’s the reason why we do these check-ups in the schools from time to time in order to prevent anything serious happening :

”Really , oh that’s great . “

Mr Fingerton replied .

 Well , since you’re here how would you like to have a booster shot and a quick check up ?
Mr Fingerton took a deep breath and said,

“Actually, I’m good with all that and IU really have tom get the students back to their class soon”.

 “So, what’s happening today at school ?”

The nurse asked.

“ It’s just time for some exams so there’s a lot to do as you would be aware. It’s all part of the national grid level . We need to set standards with language and literacy and as you would understand , a heathy body and a healthy mind would result in raising the standards of out exams each year .

 “That sounds serious but impressive . Are all the school’s part of this process ?

The nurse asked ,

““No, we are just at the first part of this program , we can establish an initial communication which would keep disrupted behaviour to a minimum .

 The nurse replied ,

“Well, I guess it’s an important step to have an assessment on the national level and then this would bring about better results when exams come around. “

Mr Fingerton was happy to be talking to the nurse because usually the teaching staff never bothered to talk to him all that much  . Looking around he noticed a man with a mop and bucket appear from nowhere , as he started cleaning the floor the nurse didn’t seem to notice him , then realised he was having another vision and tried not to get distracted and kept talking  to the nurse .

“The problem is only a small percentage of students are on the top level, with a gap to another lever who are achieving a middle level and then the rest of the students are on a lower level with their literacy skills  . It’s on that level that teachers need to  focus to raise the level of students who need to improve their abilities but unfortunately most teachers are assisting students on the top level “.

The nurse seemed impressed and looked like she took a liking to Mr Fingerton and began to share some personal things with him .’

You remind me a little of my father Frank . He was a schoolteacher and he had a true vocation like you . He also like to dance . That’s how he met my mother . She also like to dance .  Oh, how could dance , I used to watch them at some of the functions over the years we attended . During their twilight years they both ended up with dementia but they never forgot the steps and could still dance like they had always done . It was difficult for me to manage them at home so I decided to put them into a nursing home They were both on medication for a  short time until they passed away . I’ve been in nursing since I left school . It was a decision I had made and I wanted to provide the best care I could for everyone .

  “You’re very kind . “ She said and he responded
“Thank you for that , its sounds like you really understand the problems people have with their health  “

“Sure, you’re just the same with teaching “

She replied.

Mr Fingerton said,
“I really just want to help those students who need the extra help and not those who are already working beyond .”

At that point the other nurse came over asking for some help with one of the boys who was worried about getting a needle his arm .’

Mr Fingerton  sat down and before the nurse went to help, she reached out a card.

Mr Fingerton said thanks and took the card saying ,

‘”Only two more after this , so you van shortly get them all back to class soon”.

“Well thanks for all you did today.”

He said and the just before the friendly nurse walked into the sick bay, she handed Mr Fingerton her business card saying.

“If ever you need to contact me for any reason, here’s my phone number . “

“Could you teach me how to dance ?”

She smiled and did a pirouette . Taking a bow, she said .

“So now maybe I can teach the teacher”

 Both had a laugh and she went into the sick bay . He saw a small group of students came walking past wearing old school uniforms . As they passed by the sick bay , one was walking using a set of crutches , others had bandages on their arms and knees . When they passed, they disappeared out of sight . It was if he had been in another place for a brief moment and then he could hear the sound of the nurse voice speaking to him . Most of Mr Fingerton’s class had already been attended to by the nurses and were ready to return to the classroom . From the end of the corridor one of the other teachers and his students made their way to the sick bay . With a quick nod of the head both teachers greeted one and Mr Fingerton led his students back to the classroom thinking about  that special someone who he had just met from the clinic who had visited the school that day . For the first time in his life, he felt an attraction to  a lady  . He wondered if he should give her a call and thought maybe his mother might be able to offer some advice,  He thought to himself.

Yes, I’m sure Mammy would know what to do . I’ll speak with her later tonight .

End of  Chapter 8    

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Link to chapter 9

https://www.abctales.com/story/mcscraic/mr-fingerton%E2%80%99s-eyes-chapter-9

Mr Fingerton’s Eyes 

A Novel

By Paul McCann