The Life Box (Part 10)

Beginning in the second grade, I started to hear stories about Sister J, a fourth-grade teacher who had a severe reputation. I had witness short-tempered teachers already since first grade, but older children reported that Sister J was the sharpest disciplinarian at the school. 

I was rattled when I learned Sister J would be my teacher. Sister J lived up to my fearful expectations. When students misbehaved, Sister J finger wagged and slapped a ruler. Once, I'd been out sick (really sick) for almost a week, and I missed the lessons about memorizing the multiplication table. When I returned to class, Sister J called me up to the front of the room and demanded that I draw and recite the table. I didn't know what to do, so I stood silent. Sister J slammed my head against the blackboard.
 
Sister J assigned one interesting project for our social studies unit. She required each student to prepare a report about a foreign country. I chose Austria, and here is my report:

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Catholic-school alumni will recognize the "JMJ" at the top of most pages.

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(I cite my sources.)

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(I was using a blank line to separate paragraphs.)

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After I finished the fourth grade, I didn't see Sister J for another six years. She showed up at the funeral mass of my paternal Grandmother, Tatjana. Sister J gave me a sympathy card and a nosegay of flowers.