Is it a Sweatshirt? Is it a Purse? No it's a Connection!

Note: All names are pseudonyms.

            I looked down at my Steeler purse, disappointed in it. Past experience had taught me it was a conversation piece. Either people thought I had made it, or they commented on my status as a Steeler fan. In other words, my Steeler purse has always been a wonderful icebreaker among kids and adults.

            Ever since the comments about it began, I have made it a point to bring it to school with me every day, hoping to make a connection with some student who loves football like myself.

            But two weeks into school and still there were no reactions. It seemed everyone was immune to its powers this semester.

            “Huh, you a Steeler fan?” Alex asked from his seat, as he waited rather impatiently for the bell to ring.

            I smiled, looking up from my purse. “Yes, my dad’s from Pittsburgh so we are all diehard fans.”

            Alex smiled, the first time he had ever smiled at me. “I like the Eagles.”

            I laughed. “The same Eagles the Steelers stomped on last night?” I asked.

            Alex brushed the comment away quickly. “Pre-season games don’t count for anything.”

            “That’s what losers say.” I reply.

            Alex laughs at that. “They’re still better than the Steelers.”

            “We’ll see who wins the Super Bowl.”

            “Michael Vick will take them there.”

            I nod my head, acknowledging his good point. “Maybe, he has something to prove.”

           The bell rings, dismissing the students from class. Alex gives me a parting smile before slipping past me into the jungle of a hallway. I pat my purse gently, happy to know it still works. It may have waited a while to shine, but in the end my conversation piece came through. But this is only a start. I still have to put in the effort to make my connection stick with Alex. I vow to at least catch the highlights of the Eagles game, if I cannot watch at least some of it come Sunday.

            Sunday comes and goes with the heart wrenching loss of the Steelers against our arch rivals, the Ravens. Still, I let my purse hang proudly at my side. A true fan never stops supporting their team, no matter how badly they might play. Walking into class my cheeks redden as Alex comes up to me. Surely some smart remark is on the very tip of his tongue. But his eyes lack the usual mischievous look of someone about to taunt my team.

            “The Eagles looked good Sunday.” I comment, before he can get a dig in. “Michael Vick made some great plays.” It’s true, I know because I watched the majority of the game.

            “Yeah, Michael Vick’s my boy.” Alex says with a grin. “Maybe the Steelers will do better next week.”

            I smile at that. “Hopefully, or else it will be a painful season.”

            I go to my usual spot in the classroom as the bell rings and everything continues as it usually does; first bellwork, followed by some reading, and then an activity. Today’s activity involves writing and drawing based on the reading. As usual I walk around the room helping students as they need it, reading their work over their shoulders, and keeping some students on task.

            After a few passes around the room, Alex comes up to me, assignment in hand. “Can you tell me what you think?” He asks.

            I smile on the inside and out. Alex has never asked the CT or me for comments on his paper. He simply does the work, turns it in, and waits for final judgment in the form of a grade.

            “I love how I can hear your voice in your writing. It feels like I’m having a conversation with you Alex.” I tell him, handing back his paper, along with a genuine smile.

            Alex takes the paper from my hand, granting me a tiny smile in return. “Thanks.”

            Who would have thought something as small as football would make a student open up so much?