the limit doesn't exist, thanks Mr. T.

Mr. Tarrant was my high school homeroom teacher. He was the only math teacher at HTHS when I arrived there in 1994. There were I think 94 students in the entire school. The superintendent knew all the kids' names and at least one parent. He smelled like moth balls because he probably kept his suit jackets in storage. But he did always have a suit jacket and slacks, also wore a tie. He taught math with a passion, always taught us to be respect ourselves so we could be respectful to each other. He gave me "Hyperspace" and secured that I would traverse that road of geekdom. Physics is good reading, I tell ya. He nudged me on that same route for the next 4 years, handing me the Science section of the NY Times when I walked into homeroom. Or leaving it on the corner of his desk if he was somewhere else. He continued to be a presence in our young lives, teaching math, rarely getting annoyed with the kids. He was well liked, respected. On my senior year, taking the calc final I got stuck on something. He gave me a small hint, he said it was a birthday present. I passed. lol. After graduation, we [my circle of girls] met up with him a few other times. The last time was a few years ago, Trini was deciding so we went to a Vietnamese restaurant in JC. He paid for dinner even though we had jobs. It was gentleman-ly. Trini always kept up, told us what's up. I don't remember seeing him at MadRat's graduation. I was thrown off by people thinking Pepe was my kid.

Two days ago, I got the news that Mr. T passed away. My sister had called me on my way out of work. I got to speak with Danny the next day. He said the neighbors had noticed he hadn't moved his car for a couple of days and that he was getting multiple parking tickets. JC and it's alternate side street parking. Authorities were alerted. They called Mrs. Brancato most likely and the news was passed on. He died alone and no one knew. I hope he didn't suffer. I hope he knew he had touched so many young lives and that he will be missed. I was looking forward to seeing him at a 10 year reunion. Rest in peace Mr. T.