As with all the people described in my character sketches, Mrs. V is a pseudonym; however in this case I don't actually remember her real name. She was the teacher's assistant when I was in fifth grade and although we only ever called her by surname I can only recall her first name. Weird, huh.
She was the first vegetarian I ever met-- and the first vegan. At that time it never crossed my mind to become vegetarian and I was fascinated by everything she ate. For lunch she would often have a cheese sandwich made with soy cheese. When I asked her about how it tasted she broke off a bit and asked me to decide for myself. Again, I have no memory of how it tasted, but I don't think it was as bad as it sounds. But it helped that I took an instant liking to her.
She had green eyes, tawny skin and very long chestnut brown hair that was streaked with natural blonde highlights. She always wore it in one thick braid, sometimes letting it fall down her back or wrapping it around (and around) her head. Oh, and she was the first person I ever met who had a twin. Mrs. V wore those long, blandly floral dresses and she practically glided across the room to our tables whenever we needed help. Never did she treat us like the snotty little ten-year-olds that we were, but talked to us...well, not like we were adults, but as if what we had to say was worthy of her undivided attention.
I felt the same way about my 7th grade teacher. Met her again when I was 21 years old. She still talked the same way, not an adult, but some kind of median.
ReplyDelete