9/13/12
“What can I do?” Chris thought to himself. “I’m only one person.”
The situation had started yesterday morning. As Chris was walking in the back door of the school, he saw the event that would turn the campus upside down. Glenda, the school bully, was picking on Quincy, the school wimp.
Chris always came to school from the back because this was was the shortest path from home. A dozen or so other kids also came this way. Most others entered from the front.
Glenda did all she could to make people unhappy. Walking down the halls, if there was student art on display she would add black teeth, mustaches, or dirty words. Outside walking to P.E. she’d throw rocks into the faculty parking lot, making dings on the cars. At lunch, if the salad bar was unattended she’d dump the bowls of food back and forth making it all unappetizing. What’s worse, the adults never caught on. She was sneaky in her work and always made it look like someone else.
Quincy was friendly and smart. He’d have been normal, if not for that horrible name. What were his parents thinking? He was the butt of jokes and cruel names, so no one befriended him for fear of being shunned by association.
Yesterday Glenda had Quincy behind the school using him to paint graffiti. She made him hold the spray paint while she held his wrist and made the words. This way she could deny it. She wrote, “Suervert the Pervert”. Afterwards, she put the spray can in Quincy’s backpack and said, “It better be there after school.” So he was stuck.
Once Principal Suervert saw the message he went ballistic! He wouldn’t have his reputation ruined. He knew, too, if this epithet wasn’t stopped quickly he’d live with it the rest of his career. Thus he had the teachers look for any signs. So when Quincy took his math book out of his backpack and the spray can clattered across the floor, it was all over.
Now the entire student body was in the auditorium for the weekly assembly. Friday Assemblies were usually for announcements; but today was different. Principal Suervert said the culprit of the vandalism had been caught and would be disciplined openly as an example. Quincy was then led onstage by his teacher and the Principal began.
“This young man thought it funny to damage school property and malign the character of a school official. These are serious crimes. Thus it’s fitting that the punishment be equally serious.”
As the speech continued, Chris asked himself, “What can I do? I’m only one person. …”
He looked over at Glenda sitting at the side of the room. Her eyes were fixed on Quincy and she was smirking. Chris began seething. “Why doesn’t someone stand up to her? Why doesn’t anyone ever stand up against her bullying?”
As he stared he felt his legs begin moving. Looking down he saw to his horror that he was starting to stand up. “What are you doing?!” he screamed to himself. “Stop; before someone sees you!” But his body kept rising until he was like a soldier at attention.
His friend Robbie, who had been sitting next to him hissed, “Sit down! Quick!” Other kids were noticing and starting to whisper. He tried again to sit; but no luck.
Then it happened. Principal Suervert saw Chris standing tall, so he stopped his diatribe and barked, “What is it? Do you have something to add?” Chris opened his mouth, but no words came out. Principal Suervert spoke again, calmer, “Son, what do you know about this?” It was now or never …
“He didn’t do it.” Chris squeaked. He took a deep breath and tried again; this time too loud. “Quincy didn’t do it!” The room began murmuring. The Principal looked confused. “What do you mean?”
Chris didn’t know what to say next. He couldn’t tell on Glenda. As he stood with his mouth gaping, he felt a movement at his side. He looked and saw Robbie was standing up also.
“Quincy didn’t do it,” Robbie said loud and clear. Robbie’s voice didn’t waver like Chris’ had. Principal Suervert looked at Robbie, “You too?” Then several more students stood up. They didn’t speak, they just stood.
Chris wondered if they had seen what happened yesterday. But many more kids began standing; dozens of them. He then realized they had all been assaulted by Glenda at one time or another.
At this show of solidarity the Principal drew back. “It seems there is more to this incident than I thought. So I’m going to release Quincy and begin a new investigation. Rest assured I won’t stop until I find who is truly responsible. Quincy, I owe you an apology. Just as I accused you publicly, I now apologize publicly. I nearly committed an injustice against you, while denouncing the one against me. I’m sorry. You may take your seat.”
Chris couldn’t help himself; he had to look at Glenda. As he imagined, she was looking sick. Now it was Chris’ time to smile.
Principal Suervert finished, “This concludes today’s assembly. But this will be continued soon. You are dismissed to your classes. Good day.” The entire room rose and moved to the doors. Chris hesitated, still stunned, until Robbie pulled on his arm and said, “Let’s go.”
As they reached the doors someone called out, “Chris!” It was Quincy. They waited as he ran over. Quincy tried to say something, but stopped. He blushed, then started again, “Thanks! I, um, … I just, … um, well, …” Chris interrupted, “It’s alright.” He then gave him a light punch on the arm.
As the three of them, Chris, Robbie and Quincy, walked together toward class, Chris said, “This year just got a whole lot better.”
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