Chapter Text
Jack stood at the podium in the gym, the applause of his colleagues from different schools ringing in his ears. Another great assembly for Jack Faulkner, voted as best teacher in his city for the previous school year for the 2nd time in a row.
Jack wanted to be anywhere but here, the noise was overwhelming, and he had things to do, assignments to grade and messy scribbling from 1st graders that they called handwriting to decipher. He forced a smile with a fake wag of his tail, glancing at the plaque award that read:
“JACK FAULKNER”
Barkwood Learning Center
Best elementary teacher of 20xx
Of course, he offered a thankful speech, calling out some of his fellow teachers for helping him that sort of thing– it wasn’t true but it was enough to get him off of the stage. After a few more announcements, the mid-year assembly was done and everyone was free to go home. Dishing out thank you’s and goodbyes like Halloween candy before managing to make his way out of the crowd and into his car.
Jack’s drive home was quiet with nothing but the gentle rumbling of his car and the music from the radio, just the way he liked it and needed it after such a noisy evening. He let out a sigh as he pulled into the driveway of his house, it wasn’t much but it was… where he lived for sure.
Jingling of keys followed by the opening of the door, wiping his paws on the welcome mat. Moving through the motions, coming home to nothing new. He didn’t feel like grading anything, not tonight, he thought as he opened the fridge to try and scrounge up something to eat. Tomorrow was Monday he could just grade the assignments at school along with the other homework, the kids barely returned any of it anyway unless he emailed their parents about it.
After having his mediocre and enough to survive meal, he showered and laid down, ready for another day at work. Hopefully.
