Smoking Unites

This morning I saw a teacher and one of my students enjoying a cigarette together on a bench alongside the road I walk across to get to school. I was both shocked and saddened. Why not invite me? I walk past that bench every day. I can sit for a bit. Sure I don't smoke, and I don't have a tennis racquet to carry, pretending to get a quick volley in before school. But I do have a swiffer. I can make it into a lacrosse stick if you want. I won't smoke, but you can mock me to my face in Korean. It happens daily anyway. Was I not just voted best teacher at the school? Sure, your reasoning was "Teacher Greg doesn't hit us. Teacher Greg doesn't curse at us," but if I knew I was allowed to hit you, or if I knew how to curse, I would.

Just let me into your early morning ritual. It looks so nice.