Stories from Lone Moon Creek: Reflections

By Teresa Millias

What is rural America reflecting?

The third book in the Stories from Lone Moon Creek series is aglow with reflections of its people and their histories, sometimes in their own town and sometimes in settings far removed. Ironically the present day ways of the world are having their influence on the once naïve, sheltered hamlet.

Today’s social issues have pushed their way into the rusticity of Lone Moon Creek. But even situations of addiction, euthanasia and human trafficking come upon solutions which reflect the basic goodness of the people who were reared in the confines of forests and fluffy white clouds.

As is its custom, Stories from Lone Moon Creek-Book Three-Reflections, depicts more beguiling characters in its twenty-three stories... However, for the first time, some characters will be very familiar. Sequels begin to appear taking their lead from the first two books of the series. These will make the reader wonder which stories will appear in later books!

Of course, Agnes and Marjory, the women who introduce each story, are weaving a plot of their own. Ever so slowly, their disclosures lead to the mystery surrounding their lives.

“Reflections” will continue to lead its readers into wonderment about the reactions of the townspeople when a high school student dies; when a CEO leaves his worldly ways; when a groundskeeper changes the heart of a juvenile delinquent; and more.

As hearts are sometimes broken along with lives and friendships, goodness manages to escape from the darkest depths of the soul to right the wrongs and bring faith and hope to the surface. Yes, the lore; the history; and the ‘backbone of the country’ are worth preserving.

If God watches over orphans and widows, He definitely watches over small towns. In this literary work offered in a conversational style, it’s evident that some doings are efficacious only in a shroud of mystery and human impossibilities.

Treat yourself to the countryside and the people of Lone Moon Creek, they are luscious with fresh, vibrant stories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC
• Release date: Dec 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781621833918

Teresa Millias

Teresa Millias was born in Cooperstown, NY and lives in Worcester, NY. She attended the K-12 Central School in Worcester and graduated with eighteen others in her Senior Class.Continuing her education, she received her degree in Elementary Education from SUNY at Oneonta, New York.Teresa taught Kindergarten and First Grade at Worcester CS for twenty-five years developing the love of reading and writing.She has always had a fondness for the arts and has delved into painting, piano education, creativity, garden sculpting, quilting and writing.She says rural life has a kindness and goodness with a touch of mystique which she tries to describe in her stories.

Book preview

Prologue

What is rural America reflecting?

Is it the lore, the history, or the backbone of the country? Are the reflections worth preserving?

Some think the reflections have value, while others easily dismiss them, being accustomed to the traits of the throw away culture.

It seems that rural reflections, even stories that are passed from generation to generation, are filled with homemade standards and goodness.

Marjory and Agnes, who introduce each story, also reflect on their own history by maintaining their lives the best they can. They deal with their circumstances—they endure; they persevere. Such proud rural reflection is valuable, even though not always visible because of the spattering’s of dirt, manure, tears, and sweat.

As the stories ripple along, look for the reflections, and may your gaze into Lone Moon Creek be nothing less than sparkling!

"Grandma, did I do good in school?"

"You sure did, Marjory. You did the very best you could."

Chapter One

Educate Me

Ring, ring, ring.

Good morning, Lone Moon Central. Yes, there is school today.

Good morning, Lone Moon Central. That’s correct. The school closing was not on the radio. There will be school today.

Good morning, Lone Moon Central. Yes, ma’am. I know it is snowing outside. The road crew has the roads plowed, ma’am.

Lone Moon Central. Yes, school is open. We’re running on schedule.

Lone Moon Central, good morning. Yes, the buses will be on time. The worst of the snowstorm is north of us, sir. Yes, sir, you’re welcome.

Good morning, Lone Moon Central. The situation has been thoroughly assessed, Mrs. Ullah. The school would be closed if that were the case, Mrs. Ullah. Of course we care about the children!

Lone Moon Central. Yes, lunch will be served as usual. You’re welcome.

Lone Moon Central. Yes, there is school today. I’m sorry, I don’t know about tomorrow.

Morning, Lone Moon Central. Hello, Susan. Jimmy will be at the dentists, and you will drive him in at about eleven? Yes, I will relay that message to his teacher. And you want to be sure Jimmy wears his mittens if he goes out for recess? Yes, Susan, I have that on the memo as well. And you want extra practice sheets for the letter ‘S?’ Got it. Yes, there is school today. You, too.

Good morning, Lone Moon Central. I don’t think our heads are up there, Mr. Patterson. The buses would not be released under dangerous conditions, Mr. Patterson. You’re going to sue the school for what? Hello?

Good morning, Lone Moon Central. No, it’s Mrs. Havershaw. I’ll page her for you.

Lone Moon Central. Yes, the basketball games are still on for this evening. You’re welcome.

Lone Moon Central, good morning. Yes, Mrs. Lindstrom, I’ll ask the bus driver if he found it. You’re welcome.

Good morning. Yes, the buses are running on schedule this morning. You didn’t see the bus go by your house? Oh, you didn’t think there would be school so you weren’t really watching? Did you have your radio on? No? No, a bus cannot be sent back for your children. Yes, ma’am, it will be your responsibility.

Good morning, Mrs. Havershaw, here. You’re sending in extra pants for Danny? And you don’t want the other children to know about it? Yes, Lorraine, I understand. I’ll write a note for his teacher and for the nurse. Yes, it sometimes can be traumatic. I understand. Yes, bye, Lorraine.

Mrs. Havershaw, good morning. Three buses have already pulled into the school, Mrs. Ullah. You’re keeping your children home anyway? No, it’s not snowing. The sun is shining. Yes, Mrs. Ullah, the school cares about the children.

***

Sandy, Sandy, honey. You need to give this note to your teacher, OK? Yes, give this to Mrs. Shallay.

Thank you, John. Wait, John, this note says you’re going to ride on bus number thirty-nine three days this week. Which three days? You don’t know? OK, I’ll call your mother and find out.

***

Good morning, Mrs. Havershaw speaking. I’ll transfer you to the band room. You’re welcome.

Good morning, Lone Moon Central. Yes, Girl Scouts meet on Tuesdays after school. You too.

***

Oh, Tony, yes, have a seat right over there. Where’s your coat? Weren’t you freezing waiting for the bus?

Hi, Brittany. It looks like you have lots of notes here! This note you will need to take to the nurse; this one is for your teacher, and this one has to go to the cafeteria. That’s a lot to remember isn’t it? Here, let me put them in three different envelopes for you. If I put a capital N on this one, who is it for? Good! How about a T? Good! And a C? Terrific! You’re a good student, aren’t you?

***

Good morning, Lone Moon Central. Your son has a black eye? Yes, Mr. Markus, I’ll have Mr. Salworth call you. Yes, I’ll make sure it’s within the hour. I’m sure Mr. Salworth will set an appointment so you can come in to discuss this. Yes, Mr. Salworth is the superintendent.

Mrs. Havershaw speaking. Good morning, Ms. Tressor. No, I don’t know how many of the third graders have colds. I’ll transfer you to the nurse. Oh! Was that a sneeze? God bless you.

***

"Tony, please don’t keep kicking that chair. Mr. Salworth will be out of his conference any minute to speak with you.

William, remember what we talked about last time? That’s right, it’s not polite to throw your book bag on my desk. I have many important papers here. Now, just hand me your note, and we can do business. Thank you.

What’s the matter, Cindy? Stop crying, honey, and tell me what is the matter. You forgot your sneakers for gym class? How would you like to call home and ask Mom to bring them? Sound good? Do you know your phone number? No? I’ll look it up for you, but you’re going to learn it real soon, aren’t you? Good girl."

***

Hello, Lone Moon Central. You want two of your children to go to grandmas after school and the other two to go to their aunt’s house? Which two ma’am and to which residence? Yes, I will notify the bus drivers, the teachers, and the children. Oh, you want the children switched between the grandmother and the aunt because they would get along better? All right. No? You’ve decided to take the oldest child with you because he needs new sneakers and the others can all go to grandmas? Are you sure? Yes, I will make the notifications.

***

Mr. Salworth, Tony is here to speak with you as you requested yesterday. Mr. Markus needs to speak with you within the hour. Please call him. Here is his number.

"Brendan and Eric, do you think that was proper behavior in this office? When I’m speaking with Mr. Salworth or any other person, you are to wait quietly and respectfully. Now, how may I help you this morning? Your teacher would like two copies of the newsletter? Very well, I will need to step into the next room to get them, and when I come back, you will both be standing like gentlemen, right?

Here you are, and that was excellent, gentlemen!"

***

Good morning, it’s Mrs. Havershaw. Hello again, Susan. You want the teacher to be sure Jimmy eats his orange at lunch? OK, I’ll relay that message. Yes, oranges are very nutritious. You, too, Susan.

***

Mrs. Havershaw, keep Michael here until Mr. Salworth can speak to him. I refuse to let him enter my classroom after what he said. Here is a brief description of what went on. I’ll speak with Mr. Salworth at greater length during my lunch hour.

Please take that chair, Michael.

***

Hello. Lone Moon Central. Yes, Mrs. Ullah, all the buses are in. No, I haven’t noticed that any of the children are nervous. Yes, Mrs. Ullah, we do care about the children.

***

"Michael, please sit up and pull your feet back. People have to walk through there. Thank you.

Wait, Tony, here’s your pass to get into your first period class.

Michael, please don’t mumble under your breath. I can hear those words. Mr. Salworth will see you right after he makes one phone call.

This is Jeremy’s science project? All right, yes, I’ll notify his teacher that it’s here. You don’t know who his teacher is? Did you say you were up all night finishing it? That’s very interesting.

Michael, please, this is not your concern. Remain silent, please.

No, Mr. Salworth, you are meeting with the Randolph’s at ten thirty. No, the sixth grade presentation is at eleven fifteen; you have to be there for that! It looks like your lunch hour will be the only time to meet with Mr. Markus and Seth. Yes, a black eye."

***

Hello. Lone Moon Central. Yes, that’s correct. The Pledge of Allegiance is still said in this school. A reporter will be here tomorrow at ten? Yes, ma’am.

***

"Yes, Miss Maltro, I’ll page a custodian for you. Oh, dear, I hope it’s not one of those stomach viruses going around. Another child is sick now too? I’ll page the custodian right away!

Good morning, may I help you? Oh, you’re transferring your children to this school? Let me give you the necessary paper work to fill out. You may sit in there at the table if you’d like.

Well, Eli, you’re very late this morning. Do you have a note? No? This is the third time you’ve come in late without a written excuse. I really must call your house and tell your mother to send in a note."

No, Mrs. Havershaw, no, please don’t call home, please. I’ll bring you a note tomorrow, I promise, Eli begged as he tried to smooth the wrinkles out of his shirt.

All right, here’s your pass to get into your second period class. Remember tomorrow bring a note—for all three days.

Yes, Mrs. Havershaw, Eli called from ten feet down the hallway.

Mrs. Havershaw, I’ll be in room number twenty-four with Michael as he apologizes to his teacher and some of the students. If you need me, you can reach me there.

"Yes, Mr. Salworth.

Oh, thank you. From this application, I see your children have been in many different schools over the past five years. Has the last school forwarded the children’s records? Well, I can call the school district and inquire. Did you bring a shot record with you? Yes, the children have to be updated on their immunizations before they can enroll. I’ll direct you to the nurse’s office; she can help you in that area. You’ll also need to speak with our guidance counselor and the assistant superintendent. You’re not sure they will enter this school system? Do you want to chat with our school nurse? Not today? OK."

What on earth? Mrs. Havershaw thought, as she looked out at the front lawn of the school. There were two children playing in the snow!

She grabbed her coat and ran out the main door. What if they had decided to wander away, she thought? Somehow they had managed to wander out of their classroom into the snowy yard with no jackets or boots.

Hi, boys! Whatcha doing out here? she said pleasantly.

Playin,’ they said together.

Did you know it’s almost time for your gym class?

Yay, gym time, they shouted and clapped their hands.

Come on. I’ll walk in with you, Mrs. Havershaw said as she held each boy by the hand.

How about you sit in here by me until your feet dry off. Here, you can use my new markers and draw a picture while I make a few phone calls.

Yes, I have them in here with me. They’re going to have a little conversation with Mr. Salworth first. You’re welcome.

May I help you, Sandra?

I’m supposed to talk with Mr. Salworth, said Sandra as she flung back her black and blond hair and shrugged her bare shoulders.

Do you have a note from a teacher?

Yeah, she uttered, exposing a glint of a tongue ring.

I see, said Mrs. Havershaw. You may wait in that chair.

The two small boys stopped drawing and stared at Sandra. Her boots were tall and her legs were long. There wasn’t much of a skirt between her thighs and waist. One boy giggled and whispered to the other. She searched through her purse and used a mirror to check her makeup and facial jewelry. She crossed her legs and clicked her black fingernails on the back of the next chair while her skintight sweater breathed with her.

"Boys, Miss Rollins is in her office. Let’s go and visit with her for a few minutes. OK? Sandra, I’ll be right back.

Excuse us, Miss Rollins. Would you have a few minutes to talk with these two fine boys? They got a little mixed up on the time of recess. In fact, they were out on the front lawn playing in the snow at ten fifteen."

Good morning, Tommy and Jeremiah! the assistant superintendent chirped as she stared down at their wet sneakers.

Thank you, Mrs. Havershaw, we’ll have a nice little talk.

***

Good morning, Lone Moon Central. Yes, the after-school program will be in session today. You want to be sure Misty doesn’t associate with Veronica? You might want to speak with the program director about that. He usually arrives at two fifteen. Yes, ma’am, in the afternoon. You’re welcome.

***

A group of fifth grade boys had congregated by the office doorway to stare at Sandra.

Boys, go along now, Mrs. Havershaw called out. Sandra uncrossed her legs, crossed them in the other direction, and flipped her hair back all in one fluid motion.

***

Good morning, Lone Moon Central. Mrs. Barnhart is teaching right now. Would you like to leave a message for her? No, she cannot be called to the phone right now. Because she is teaching a class. Let me check her schedule. She will not be free until twelve ten. You don’t think your daughter deserved a zero for not doing her work? What do you think she deserved?

***

A free nose piercing with a complementary tattoo, shouted Sandra to Mrs. Havershaw’s last question.

Mrs. Havershaw covered the receiver and said, Sandra, stop that; this is school business.

Yeah, I can tell you why she didn’t get her work done! Sandra laughed uproariously.

Shh, said Mrs. Havershaw.

***

Yes, at twelve ten. Good-bye.

***

Sandra, I think Miss Rollins is free to talk with you.

I don’t want to talk with that nerdy Rollins; I want Salworth.

Mr. Salworth is busy at the time. Besides, wouldn’t you be more comfortable speaking with a lady about the dress code?

Are you kidding me? I’d take a man any day.

Miss Rollins it is. Mrs. Havershaw assertively dialed the assistant superintendent.

You know where her office is, don’t you?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Sandra mumbled as she stomped out of the office making the high heels of her boots click in rhythm with her swaying hips.

***

OK, newsletter, Mrs. Havershaw said to herself as she brought it up on her computer. She opened her folder of articles that needed to go in for the month. She started typing the elementary news.

***

Good morning, Lone Moon Central. Yes, there will be a meeting for juniors and seniors and their parents on financial aid. It will be on the fourteenth at seven in the evening in the school library. Yes, the PTA meets on the third Thursday of each month. Ma’am, these meetings are all listed in the newsletter. Oh, you don’t read the newsletter?

Let’s see, where was I? thought Mrs. Havershaw as she located her place in the newsletter.

Good glory be! she exclaimed out loud as the fire bell pierced the air. She immediately went to her station at the east door. She could see classroom doors opening with students filing out as fire doors closed. She held the outside door open as classes walked past into the cold January air.

What is it? whispered Mrs. Janius as she went past.

I don’t know, Mrs. Havershaw said as she shook her head.

My heavens, this is not just a drill! she thought as she heard the sirens of the fire trucks approaching the school.

Five hundred students could see their breaths in the cold air, as could every adult from the building.

The fire plan went into action with the kindergartners through third graders going across the street to the community social center. The fourth through sixth graders went down the street to a church. The junior and high school students went to the bus garage.

Mrs. Havershaw was sent back to the telephone.

***

Lone Moon Central. Yes, it was just a false alarm. Everything is all right.

Lone Moon Central. No, the school is not on fire. It was a false alarm.

Lone Moon Central. No, you do not need to pick up your children.

Everything is under control.

Lone Moon Central. It was a false alarm.

Lone Moon Central. Yes, the children had to go outside. I know it was cold. No, they didn’t stop to get their coats. That’s how they are trained for a real emergency. Yes, Mrs. Ullah, we do care about the children.

Lone Moon Central. Everyone is fine; it was a false alarm. There was no fire.

Central… Excuse me? No, Mr. Patterson, I don’t think you should try to sue the school for sending children to a church in order to protect them from the cold.

Lone Moon Central. No, you don’t need to pick up your children. The teachers are trained to calm any student who may be upset by an incident like this. You think the children should be upset? You want them to be upset? Why is that Mrs. Trainor?

Susan, Susan, calm down, Jimmy is fine. Yes, they are all back in their classrooms. He is with his teacher and his classmates. He’s OK, Susan. The children are learning how to cope with life, Susan. Yes, you’re welcome.

Hello, Ms. Tressor. Yes, the children did have to go out into the cold. No, we wouldn’t have done it on a whim; it was for their safety, Ms. Tressor. No, the children with colds could not have remained in the school. No, not even in the nurse’s office. You know what I heard? I heard that colds aren’t caused by cold weather; viruses cause them. Did you know that, Ms. Tressor?

That is interesting, isn’t it?

***

I demand to see Mr. Salworth, right now, said a big man with a cowering lad who was sporting a black eye.

Mr. Salworth is busy right now, Mr. Markus.

Busy, my foot. He is trying to ignore me. Where is he? Sitting having his coffee?

Please be seated, Mr. Markus.

Two burly firemen crowded through the office door along with Mr. Salworth and Tony. Their dominant presence persuaded Mr. Markus to sit.

The four newest entrants to the office hurried into Mr. Salworth’s office.

Mr. Markus remained silent while his son’s one open eye flicked back and forth trying to assess the situation with Tony and the firemen.

***

Lone Moon Central. Yes, the fire trucks were here. Everything is under control. It was a false alarm.

***

Mrs. Havershaw could hear Mr. Markus say to his son, What the hell kind of school are they runnin’ here?

A state policeman entered, and Mrs. Havershaw directed him into Mr. Salworth’s office.

Come on, growled Mr. Markus as he grabbed his son’s arm. I’ll never get to talk to the big hotshot today.

Seth looked at Mrs. Havershaw with his good eye as if to say, "I wish this would all go away."

Mrs. Havershaw looked at Seth as if to say, I wish I could help you.

The Randolph’s were directed to Miss Rollins for their scheduled conference, and Mrs. Havershaw sent a note of apology to the sixth graders for Mr. Salworth’s absence at their presentation.

That’s OK, came the voice of a sixth grade messenger. Mrs. Carson explained that Mr. Salworth was real busy, and she said to tell him we will videotape tape it for him.

That’s a great idea, Jonathon. Have a wonderful show.

We will, Mrs. Havershaw, bye!

She could hear very excited footsteps running up the hall. She smiled as she said to herself, Walk, Jonathon, walk!

Mrs. Havershaw heard a familiar clopping of boots coming closer.

In stormed Sandra.

Can I use the phone to call home? she snapped as she placed her hand on her hip.

Is there a problem, Sandra?

There’s a problem all right, Sandra said indignantly as she flipped her hair back and twisted one of her hoop earrings. Rollins said I have to go home and change clothes; what a nerd she is. If she thinks I’m going to dress like her, she’s crazy. God, those stupid business suits she wears—Dullsville for sure.

I don’t think she expects you to wear a suit to school, but she expects, as does the board of education, that you dress like a nice young lady, not some kind of… Well, you know what I mean.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear the same thing from my father. I wait until he goes to work and then change into what I want to wear.

Do you know what kind of statement you are making, Sandra?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just give me the phone.

Excuse me?

The phone, the phone.

Excuse me? Mrs. Havershaw repeated.

May I please use the phone?

Yes, you may.

***

I’m here to see Mrs. Barnhart, declared a woman who dressed very much like Sandra. In fact, the two looked each other up and down and both turned away.

Do you have an appointment? Mrs. Havershaw asked.

I called this morning, and you said she would be free at twelve ten.

I’m sorry, what was that related to?

About her daughter getting a zero for not doing her work, interrupted Sandra.

Sandra, Mrs. Havershaw reminded her, this is not your business.

And your name is? Mrs. Havershaw said as she directed her attention back to the woman standing in front of her.

Natalie Snipes.

I will page Mrs. Barnhart for you, Mrs. Snipes. Please be seated. She’ll be right down.

Sandra and Mrs. Snipes looked at each other’s attire again and turned away as before.

Michael’s teacher came in to speak with Mr. Salworth about the morning’s bad language escapade. Mrs. Havershaw had to tell him that Mr. Salworth’s lunch hour would undoubtedly be taken up with the seriousness of the false fire alarm. He said he would come back after school.

A great deal of clicking came from the long painted fingernails of the two women. One used the back of a chair and the other used her plastic pocketbook. Great jingling could also be heard from the myriads of bracelets on wrists and ankles and rings on toes.

A small gathering of boys was beginning to congregate outside the office door.

Mrs. Barnhart marched into the office with, as Mrs. Havershaw well knew, her suit of armor already in place.

Good for you, Mrs. Barnhart, Mrs. Havershaw cheered silently as she opened her lunch bag.

God, Sandra groaned as she checked her watch again. Where is she?

Dad! Sandra exclaimed as she uncrossed her legs and tried unsuccessfully to make her skirt longer.

You come with me, young lady!

Yes, Dad, Sandra said sheepishly.

Way to go, Mr. Kellium! Mrs. Havershaw exalted to herself as she took a bite of her apple.

She brought the newsletter up on her screen and read the one sentence she had typed that morning.

I’m Tony’s father. Where is he?

I’ll tell Mr. Salworth you are here, Mr. Brushetti. Mrs. Havershaw pointed to the inner office. You may go right in, sir.

Crunching through her solid apple did not muffle the yelling she heard coming from the very crowded inner office.

She leaned her back against her chair for the first time that day and stretched her legs to cross her feet at the ankles. Mrs. Havershaw poured coffee from her thermos and stared at the computer screen.

Dear Lord, she prayed, come to these children. They need your direction and wisdom. Many of them desperately need you.

Well, maybe you’re right, Mrs. Barnhart. I never thought of it that way, said Mrs. Snipes as she almost raced out of the office.

Did you convince her? Mrs. Havershaw asked Mrs. Barnhart, woman to woman.

It’s hard to say, Rose. It’s hard to say, said Mrs. Barnhart as she gave Mrs. Havershaw an affectionate pat on the shoulder.

***

Why should I be the only one who has to freeze? The sound of Tony’s rebellious voice floated out of the inner office.

Then silence. All was silent in the other room. At least no one was screaming.

Mrs. Havershaw began her typing. After five words, she suddenly stopped.

Freeze? No jacket! Tony has no jacket! No one had on a jacket during the fire drill! Everyone was freezing!

I hope they are making the connection in there. She started to worry. Maybe she should rap on the door and tell them the connection between the jacket and Tony pulling the fire alarm. How would they know? What should she do?

Mrs. Havershaw, the superintendent’s called over her intercom, please page Mr. Wan.

Thank you, God, Mrs. Havershaw said to herself as she paged the school psychologist.

***

Mrs. Havershaw. Mrs. Havershaw. Mrs. Havershaw, twenty wee ones cried out as they circled her desk looking for their gingerbread man.

He ran away, a little girl said in sheer desperation.

He did? Mrs. Havershaw played the part as she did every year when the gingerbread man ran away from the kindergarten classroom. Where could he be? she whined.

We don’t know. Is he in here? Samantha asked with wide-eyed innocence.

Let’s take a look, Mrs. Havershaw said as she rose from her chair. They carefully looked in every nook and cranny. The other secretaries joined in the search. Mrs. Havershaw was very careful to guard Mr. Salworth’s door and vowed to the children that the gingerbread man was not in there because she had been watching that door all day. Mrs. Havershaw was sorry Mr. Salworth couldn’t participate in the search this year; he always enjoyed it so.

She wished them well as they went off to check the nurse’s office and the elementary library.

***

Good afternoon. Lone Moon Central." No, Mrs. Trainor, the children don’t seem to be upset by this morning’s fire drill. You think they will be later? Oh, I hope not, Mrs. Trainor.

Good afternoon, Lone Moon Central. Yes, hello, Susan. You’re not really sure if Jimmy is getting enough classical music exposure during his music time? You’ll have to speak to his music teacher about that. Yes, Parent-Teacher Night would be a good time to ask her.

***

Sandra? Mrs. Havershaw looked up to see a very different type of girl than the one who had left a while back.

Yeah, it’s me, she said with no spirit.

You look wonderful—beautiful!

Oh, yeah, sure. Just like some of those nerdy girls.

You mean the ones who have self-respect for themselves?

Yeah, them.

Sandra, that’s a good thing.

It is?

It is.

***

Mrs. Havershaw, its Miss Lucas. I am so sick. I need to leave my class immediately.

I’ll be right there, Cathy.

Barbara, see who you can get to cover in Cathy Lucas’s room. I’ll be there until you get someone. Thanks.

Miss Lucas was streaming down the hall with her hand over her mouth while Mrs. Havershaw entered the already boisterous classroom.

OK, class, let’s continue with what you were discussing. Eli, what was the subject?

Osmosis.

Oh, brother, thought Mrs. Havershaw, what do I know about osmosis?

What do you already know about osmosis? Mrs. Havershaw asked.

Donnie and Marie Osmosis were on TV last night, Dan answered flippantly as he looked around the room to see who was laughing.

That was a good one, Dan, Mrs. Havershaw said, placating him. Who else can answer?

It’s a process where one thing goes into another, I think, Teara answered.

You’re on the right track. What else?

It’s like an absorption of some kind. Like one thing kinda soaking into something else, Steve said with some authority.

Is one thing going in while another thing is going out to equalize the whole process? Mrs. Havershaw asked.

We don’t know; we ain’t had any learnin’, Dan interjected again, hoping to break up the class.

Shut up, Danny, Lily said to him. You’re not funny.

Shut up, yourself, he said, ready for a ruckus to begin.

All right, let me give you something to think about, Mrs. Havershaw stated, hoping to divert trouble. If you put your schoolbook under your pillow, could you learn by osmosis?

They all agreed that they couldn’t.

Think about this, she went on, which of the following displays the process of osmosis the best? Fish, leaves, or paint.

She could tell they were thinking.

In walked Mr. Neilson, another science teacher.

Thank God! thought Mrs. Havershaw.

She hurried to the door as she informed him that the topic was osmosis.

***

Mrs. Havershaw, I’m taking Brittany with me, said the second grader’s mother as she darted in and out of the office.

"All right. Let me get her name on the bus change schedule.

My goodness, Rose uttered as she looked at her watch, "it is almost time for the elementary dismissal!

***

Good afternoon, Lone Moon Central. Your kids are going home with you, but you’ll be about ten minutes late picking them up? Yes, they will be informed.

Lone Moon Central. John is not to walk home today. You want him to take the bus to his grandmother’s? Bus number forty-two? Thank you.

Hello, Lone Moon Central. Yes, Ms. Tressor. You want to be sure your son brings home his mittens, and has his boots on, and wears his ear muffs under his hat? And you want us to be sure he has tissues in his pockets? Is there anything else?

***

"Hi, Gretchen. You forgot to give me this note this morning? Well, I’m glad you remembered it now! It says you are going to ride on bus number fifty-seven to your father’s house.

Hi, girls. What’s up? You can’t get into the high school library for your Girl Scouts meeting? Well, wait another five minutes for the high school kids to clear out and then you can get in.

Where is your son? What is his name, please? Let me check. He was absent today, sir. I’m sorry. I don’t know why your wife didn’t notify you.

***

Mr. Markus!

Where is he? I waited all day to talk to him?

Mr. Salworth just went down to the cafeteria to talk with the maintenance man about why the dishwasher won’t turn off.

I knew it. Probably having coffee and donuts again, he snarled as he pulled his black-eyed son Seth into the chair next to him. We’re waiting right here, even if it takes all night.

It just might, Mrs. Havershaw thought to herself.

"Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Allen, I’ll tell Mrs. Shallay you are here for a conference.

Tom, I find it hard to believe that you have forgotten your sneakers four days in a row. I’m sorry, but having your mother drive in the five miles is much too much on her. No, you may not use the phone. You’ll have to sit out this practice.

Ah, Mr. Salworth. Mr. Markus and Seth are here to see you.

Thanks, Evie. I appreciate having this list. This also includes the chaperones who are going on the field trip tomorrow? Great!. It should be fun! Thanks also for getting all the permission slips in a day early."

***

A great silence fell upon the school. Suddenly, the building seemed huge and echoic. Occasionally, a set of solitary footsteps could be heard in the hallway, or the closing of a door. A brief distant chatter, barely audible, rustled the stillness on occasion.

Stillness was good, just as activity was good during the school day. How could kids learn in an inactive school? Mrs. Havershaw thought as she settled back into the newsletter.

It wasn’t long before the quietness was broken by Mr. Markus’s voice permeating through the door.

Could that be osmosis? Rose wondered. Then she saw the man pulling his son through the doorway. His vow to transfer Seth to another school rattled the serenity.

Sam looked at Mrs. Havershaw with his one good eye. His pleading stare stayed on her until his father pulled him past her desk. Mrs. Havershaw looked back with a sad stare—a helpless stare.

Mr. Salworth leaned against the doorway and shook his head.

Mrs. Havershaw opened her lunch bag and took out a tangerine, a tiny box of raisins, and two oatmeal cookies. She placed them on the corner of her desk.

Here, Mr. S., have a bite to eat. You haven’t even had your lunch yet.

Thanks, Rose. I could go for that tangerine!

It’s yours!

She was glad she had something for him. He