Chapter Text
"Alright class for English I want you to write a detailed paragraph about one of your parents." Mr. Spade said.
He handed out a piece of paper detailing what needs to be in the paragraph. How long a paragraph is, and the very important one...their name.
"Mr. Spade?" Tracy asked.
"Yes Tracy?" He looked to her.
"What if you don't have parents?" She asked heartbroken.
Mr. Spade gave her a kind smile.
"Read your paper." He said kindly with a wink.
She looked to it and saw the alternative directions.
She smiled and immediately got to work.
Mr. Spade sat at his desk, grading other students paragraphs.
He would periodically look up and see if the students need help. And obviously if they do he would help. If not he would go back to grading till the period was over and they can go home.
"Alright turn in what you got! And we'll go over tomorrow to see if you need any more time." Mr. Spade said.
The kids eagerly got up, and ran out of the room. Mr. Spade laughed and went around picking up papers.
Though that changed when he got to Carl Grimes' desk.
"Carl?" He asked.
Carl looked up to him.
"Would you like to talk?" Mr. Spade asked sitting next to him.
"Mom and dad got into another fight this morning." Carl said.
"I'm sorry to hear that. Want to talk about what was said?" He asked like usual.
Carl sat there, it was then that Mr. Spade saw his sheet of paper.
He was writing about his dad.
He seems to think very highly of him.
Being a Sheriff, and trying his best to make time for him.
A true everyday hero.
"You know sometimes, people say things that they never truly mean.
In the heat of anger, a lot of things are said and done.
I know how much they love you, and if you want?" Mr. Spade looked to the sad boy.
"I can maybe help? I could set up a parent-teacher conference-"
"No no it's fine." Carl shook his head.
"Carl?"
"Really Mr. Spade by the time dad gets home it's like none of that even happened."
Mr. Spade doubted that, being a teacher he could only do so much...But there is another trick that he could pull.
"Okay. But I ask you this one thing?" Mr. Spade asked.
"Yeah?" Carl asked.
Mr. Spade looks to the boy, he's a wonderful kid, so happy, so lively, and helpful.
"I want you to always know that I am here for you. And that you can always tell me if... anything is wrong."
Carl smiled and hugged him.
"Thank you Mr. Spade."
"Of course kiddo."
"Can...I have a piece of chocolate?" Carl asked.
He always asks for one after these talks.
Mr. Spade smiled and went to his desk, taking out the bag.
"Of course, now come on I'm sure your mom is worried about why you haven't been out yet." Mr. Spade said as they both go to his locker.
Carl's mom is...A character.
A stay at home mom with quite the time on her hands.
He never said this to other teachers, but man does he find her annoying.
He never shows his hate of her to Carl. Not with what the boy is already going through.
He's seen her talking to other dad's, and seemingly only the dad's. She still acts like she's in her early 20's, twirling her hair. Pressing up her non-existent chest.
She tried with him as well, but he only smiled and 'got called away'
That's probably why he has this soft spot with Carl.
He can only guess what the arguing is about. Carl never says, but he says some things.
Like how she yells, and Rick, his dad, never says anything.
How loud she'd be, how she would say hateful things...
---
"Mr. Spade?"
"Yeah?" He looks down to him, seeing him putting his backpack on.
"I uh. I wanted to thank you again."
"Of course. I can't let my favorite student being all sad."
Carl laughed.
"I don't think your suppose to have favorite students? Haha"
"No?" Mr. Spade asked teasingly.
Carl shook his head.
"No? I don't think so. Haha."
Mr. Spade opened the doors, only to see a fellow teacher. Mrs. Miller.
"Mrs. Miller. How are things?"
She didn't answer.
"Mrs. Miller?" Mr. Spade asked going to her.
"Uh Mr. Spade?"
Said man went to Mrs. Miller and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Mrs. Mil-"
"Rah!"
"Ah!" Mr. Spade pushed her to the ground seeing the once teacher covered in blood and...bitten.
"Mr. Spade!" Carl cried.
He looked to Carl, seeing tears in his eyes. He quickly went to him, and grabbed his hand.
"Come on! Come on!"