‘Reunion: Coda’ First Look at Professor Garraty’s Final Exam Day

The clock on the wall shows it’s a little past 2 PM. The weather outside is typical for a late March day in Manhattan—chilly, with a brisk wind that makes you wish you had a scarf wrapped around your neck. Most of my students are bundled up in layers, their winter coats dripping with the remnants of a recent rain shower. A few unlucky souls have damp hair, evidence of their sprint across campus without an umbrella. The warmth inside 301M is a welcome contrast. The radiator is clanging away, doing its best to keep the room comfortably warm, and the hum of the overhead lights adds a familiar backdrop to the scene. I look around at my students, some fidgeting nervously, others exuding quiet confidence. There’s a notable absence—Miguel’s seat is empty, as it has been since his expulsion. I push the thought away, focusing on the task at hand.

“All right, everyone,” I say, raising my voice slightly to get their attention. “Final exams are here. Remember, you’ve all worked hard this semester. Just do your best, and you’ll be fine. I’m confident in your grasp of the subject.”

I start handing out the papers, moving down each row, offering a nod or a smile as I go. My mind keeps drifting to the evening ahead, the excitement and nervousness bubbling up inside me. I’ve been looking forward to this ever since Maddie suggested a date night.

As I place an exam on Diana DeWitt’s desk, she looks up with troubled blue eyes. “Professor Garraty, I’m so nervous. What if I blank out?”

“You’ll do great, Diana. Just take a deep breath and focus. You know this material.” I add with a grin, “And remember, I don’t even make my own books about World War II required reading.”

She chuckles, and I continue distributing the exams. My thoughts slip back to the evening ahead. Dinner with Maddie at either Sardi’s or Delmonico’s. The mere thought of it brings a smile to my face. Maddie has the night off from work with the Phil, and I’m looking forward to some quality time with her. I’m eager to see which restaurant she’ll choose, as both promise an exquisite dining experience. The anticipation of good food, good wine, and even better company is almost too much to bear.

The last exam is handed out, and I take a moment to scan the room. The students are bent over their papers, the sound of pens scratching against paper filling the room. Nicole Boisvert steps in, clearly between class sessions.

“Jim, you seem a bit distracted today. Everything okay?” she asks.

I smile, nodding. “Yeah, just thinking about tonight. I have a dinner date with Maddie after work.”

Nicole raises an eyebrow, then grins. “Sounds wonderful! I’m sure you two will have a fantastic time.”

“Thanks, Nicole. I’m really looking forward to it.”

With the exams in progress, I glance at the clock again. I’ve planned to leave campus a bit early to ensure I have enough time to prepare. The minutes tick by as I monitor the students, making sure everyone is settled and focused. Finally, the bell rings, signaling the end of the class period. I walk to the front of the room and address the class one last time. “Before you leave my classroom, I just wanted to say how proud I am of all of you. You’ve shown incredible dedication and hard work throughout this course. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to teach you. I hope that you’ve learned something valuable about World War II and its impact on our world. For those of you planning to become historians, I look forward to working with you in my advanced classes. Keep striving for excellence and remember that history is not just about the past; it’s about understanding our present and shaping our future.”

The students look up, their faces a mix of relief and gratitude. As they begin to file out of the room, I watch them go, a sense of pride and satisfaction washing over me. I reach for my coat and, with a smile, place my favorite fedora on my head. The familiar feel of the hat adds a touch of adventure to my day, reminding me of the Indiana Jones-like spirit I try to bring to my teaching. With my belongings gathered, I step out into the hallway. The chilly wind greets me as I exit the building, and I pull my coat tighter around me.