As time progressed 'The Angel of Death" (which I called Doc) and I came to appreciate each other more and more. When the semester ended and I got my grades, I braced myself for the usual C+ that he always issued. I opened the envelope, pulled the paper out ever so slowly, closed my eye's and unfolded it. I squinted first with one eye, then the other, peeking at the sheet before me. Immediately, I had to steady myself, blinked and rubbed my eye's in disbelief. There next to Statistics 101 was a B +. "WHAT?! A WHAT?! A B+?! But Doc never gives a grade higher than a C+? Wow! Whoopie! Wait this has to be a mistake?!", I muttered aloud. Without a second thought, I grabbed the phone and dialed his extension. He answered on the first ring and said without interruption from me, "Merrym? Is this you? I was waiting for your call. Yes, you earned a B+. You went above and beyond any other student I've ever taught in my 35 year career as a professor. Enjoy your break. I'll see you next semester in the halls. Goodbye." Automatically, there was a click and then the dial tone ushered forth. I sat there amazed with a grin the size of Rhode Island.
After gaining my confidence, at the beginning of each school day I visited professors who had become my favorites. What I'd do was go to their individual office and; tell a joke; give them a quick "Good morning!" with a mischievous smile; pull a prank; or just hang out. The next semester was no different, except to his amazement, I added 'Doc' to my list. For one, to get to his office you had to make your way through a maze of halls and unmarked doors. Meaning he was never bothered by anyone, colleagues included. Two, no one liked him enough or, they were too scared of him to go any where near his office.
The first day this occurred, I had brought with me a sticky hand. The kind you get in gumball machines. They're long and slimy in consistency and I had bought many, until I had got a green one. I rolled in his office with it covered up in my hands, said "Hi Doc! How's it going?", sneezed while covering my mouth with my hands, then tossed the toy at him. His reaction was the one I was going for. He jerked back with a look of abject horror on his face, realized it for what it was, A PRANK and with a growing smile told me to get out of his office.
Awe! Total and complete satisfaction. He had just been initiated into the school of 'Merrym's Pranks.'
From that day on he got 'a wake up call' from me, if he was in his office. On the few days he hadn't seen me, he would follow the sound of my voice (it was said you could hear me from one end of the building to the other), find me just to say a fast "Hi Merrym!", smile and leave as quickly as he came.
I even gave him an invitation to my graduation to which he said, "Thanks! But I NEVER go to graduation ceremonies." He was true to his word and didn't show.
A year went by, after which my son, Ace and I went to visit my professor friends. He heard my voice (of course) in the hall immediately he came, gave me a bear-hug and said, "I miss you Merrym and your wicked sense of humor! I think of you every morning and smile." As Ace and I left him, I said "That was 'The Angel of Death' you've heard some horror stories about." Ace wouldn't believe me, LOL.
As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart.
1 Samuel 10:9
I am blessed
Merrym Dawn Mathis Bruce
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