Louisa Speaks Up

Two excerpts from my short story, the story of a nun who leaves the convent, and breaks her vow of silence.

Version 1

December 15, 2020 

Dear Parent/Guardian of Sr. Jenkins’ Students: 

This letter serves to inform you that after nearly twenty years as a language arts teacher, Sr. Jenkins has decided to leave the convent. 

Sr. Jenkins’ final day will coincide with the end of the second term. On behalf of everyone at the convent, I want to thank Sr. Jenkins for her dedication and commitment to her students during her years of service. She will be missed by students and staff. 

It is our intent to hire another convent member who will take over for Ms. Jenkins’ through June. While we are actively searching for Ms. Jenkins’ replacement, Sr. Lubly and Sr. Zapata will continue to support classes and students.  

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely, 

Fr. Cinski

Version 2 (The Real Story)

December 15, 2020 

Dear Parent/Guardian of Sr. Jenkins’ Students: 

This letter serves to inform you that after nearly twenty years as a language arts teacher, Sr. Jenkins has finally had enough and decided to go somewhere where she is treated with some respect. Rest assured, she has tried so many times to leave, and it was not her intent to leave students mid-year, but she could take no more. I have made sure to stand in the back of her classroom several times to make it look as though she is the bad one here, but that is, of course, my strategy. Actually, I wanted to see if if students were sitting on the floor during instruction, which they were not. Although it was Sr. Lubly’s job to remind Sr. Jenkins to have students sit on the floor, well, quite frankly, she said she didn’t have time to give her that feedback.

Sr. Jenkins’ final day will coincide with the end of the second term. On behalf of everyone at the convent, I want to pretend to  thank Sr. Jenkins for her dedication and commitment to her students during her years of service. In the nearly twenty years that she was with us, she never came in late or had one bad evaluation. She spoke up about her concerns, and that is when we decided to make her life unbearable here at the convent. Despite having students tell her that Sr. Zapata was making fun of her in front of students, and despite having St. Lubly yell at her in front of her class, she always came to the convent with a smile on her face. Although she was with us for two decades, she will be quickly forgotten, and we’ll pretend that she was never here.

It is our intent to hire a member of the convent who will take over for Sr. Jenkins’ until the end of June. While we are actively searching for Sr. Jenkins’ replacement, Sr. Lubly and Sr. Zapata will continue to  make critical comments about her in front of students.

Sincerely,

Fr. Cinski