Dating Trouble

Today is December 13. I've been a little sentimental today. I can't help but be reminded of a very special event from a few years ago: May 5, 2005 (in case you haven't guessed, it's another student story).

I have had a very special handful of students in my life who have been incredibly intelligent, yet who can't seem to make the connection between the most simple of facts. I had one of these students a few years ago. He's a sophomore now. In fact, when this happened, he was in the same class as Ash. I'll call this kid Charlie.

On May 5, 2005, the date was 05/05/05. Halfway through the day, Charlie looked up at the board in the middle of a dead silent classroom and said, "Oh my God, it's five five five!" All the other students turned to look at him with puzzled looks on their faces.

"PLEASE tell me you didn't take this long to notice," snarked the bitchy girl in front of him. Everyone shook their heads and went back to work.

A few minutes later, Charlie sat straight up with a gasp and yelled, "That means next year, there will be a six six six!" The bitchy girl glared at him. Charlie was unphased. Obviously amused at the thought, he said, to no one in particular, "Wouldn't it be awesome if it happened on Friday the 13th?"

Giggles and comments of disbelief rang out around the room. Confused, Charlie asked me what was wrong. "Well, sweetie, if it's the 6th, it can't be the 13th," I replied.

"Oh," he said, embarassed, and returned to his work. But young Charlie was not done thinking about this particular topic.

My class got back to work on their projects. After another ten minutes of silent hard work, my class was again interrupted by a very excited Charlie.

"That means that in 2013, there will be a thirteen thirteen thirteen!"

"Are you retarded?!?" exploded the bitchy girl (maybe I should have been calling her Kerry).

"What did I say this time?" asked poor Charlie, obviously confused by this rejection of his discovery.

"There is no thirteenth month," I replied. "But in 2013, December 13 will fall on a Friday the 13th." Charlie went back to work, and he never said anything about dates in my class again.