Madam plays soccer

“Give that to me,” I say to Alexandre while motioning to the soccer ball that he and three other students are kicking around in the dirt in front of my middle school.

“Madam!’ he says. “You want to play?”

“Of course,” I respond as I trap the ball.

I am currently wearing a dress and sandals and my class starts in 3 minutes. My bag bangs against my hips when I pass the ball with the boys. I figure this is as good as a time as ever to make their day.

I motion for them to run farther back. I aim, then turn and head to class, leaving the other students laughing as the boys run after the ball.