Benjamin's Field: Ascent (Book Two)

By James Knights

Book two of the Benjamin's Field Trilogy. Finalist in 2018 Readers' Favorite Book Award Contest

In Book Two, Ascent, Jeremy Kyner, now a teenager, becomes the focus of his teacher's animosity because of his infirmity.

Jeremy's grandfather, Benjamin Kyner, his hired hand, a Catholic priest, a Jewish blacksmith, a courageous girl, a societal misfit, and an unwitting class bully form an unlikely, and at times volatile, partnership to rescue him from the smothering grip of prejudice. With their help, Jeremy literally takes to the sky, defeating his teacher's plans to institutionalize him and forcing her to reveal her own, dark, secret.

Finally, Randy Bridgewater, the long-absent best friend of Jeremy's dead war-hero father, emerges from the past with a surprise twist that propells the reader toward the dramatic conclusion of the Benjamin's Field Trilogy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Knights
• Release date: Aug 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463345320

James Knights

James Knights is a retired FBI Special Agent. A native of New England, one of his great-great-grandfathers served during the Civil War with Company E, 6th Massachusetts Militia Infantry, while another was a 'bluenose' sea captain from Windsor, Nova Scotia. He and his wife own a seaside cottage on Prince Edward Island, Canada. He has authored several published articles on law enforcement recruiting, including one on the valuable role of women as investigators.

Book preview

Acknowledgments

I am indebted to all those who helped with the creation of this novel. To say this book would never have seen daylight without their advice and support would be an understatement. Regardless, any and all errors and omissions are mine alone.

The following graciously provided many of the technical and background details relevant to their respective areas of expertise to help make this historical novel as accurate as possible: Rabbi Aaron Benjamin Bisno, the Frances F. and David R. Levin Senior Rabbinic Pulpit, Rodef Shalom Congregation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Robert E. Burtt, author and brother, Harmony Lodge No. 429, Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania; Bethanne Demas, R.N., Senior Regional Director of Public Relations/Communications, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Tampa, Florida; The Very Reverend Lawrence A. DiNardo, V.G., J.C.L., General Secretary/Vicar General, Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; William Green, Jr, M.D.; The Reverend Joseph R. McCaffrey, M.Div., Pastor, and Sister Annie Bremmer, Order of St. Francis, Pastoral Associate, Saints John and Paul Roman Catholic Parish, Sewickley, Pennsylvania; Dennis Mead, Vice President, The French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society, Meadville, Pennsylvania.

Authors must have test readers, brave souls who are diligent and committed enough to subject themselves to the lengthy ordeal of reading a new original manuscript with thoroughness and objectivity and then critiquing it dispassionately to sensitive and protective authors. In the case of Benjamin’s Field, the people who placed themselves in the line of fire were: Robert E. Burtt; Mark Grosher, J.D.; Suzanne Kennedy; Dennis Kissane, J.D.; Arlene Seal, Ph.D. Kerry Neville provided editorial assistance. My cousin, Joellen Brown, graciously contributed her proofreading acumen. My wife, Dorothy, who in addition to formatting the manuscript, forgave me the many hours spent writing it.

My thanks to them all.

The Benjamin’s Field Trilogy

Book One: Rescue

Book Two: Ascent

Book Three: Emancipation

www.jjknights.com

Book Two

Ascent

Pro parvulus;

Pro posterum

Chapter 1

September 1931

Jeremy Kyner? Jeremy Benjamin Kyner? Miss Regina Vilis surveyed the young faces looking up at her. A boy of about 13 raised his hand.

Mr. Kyner?

Yes, Miss Vilis.

Mr. Kyner, did I not state that each student was to rise when I called his or her name?

Yes, Miss Vilis.

A wave of snickering rippled across the classroom.

Silence!

The snickering evaporated.

Focusing again on the hapless boy, she continued, Mr. Kyner, my instructions were that you are to rise when I call your name. I did not instruct you to simply raise your hand. Is that correct?

Yes, Miss Vilis.

Why are you not standing?

Miss Vilis, Mr. Amicus never made me stand when he took attendance. I guess I’m not used to it.

Well, get used to it, Mr. Kyner. Look around. Do you see Mr. Amicus in the classroom?

No, Miss Vilis.

That is because Mr. Amicus has moved on to Athena High School. I am now the teacher here and unlike Mr. Amicus, I insist on discipline in my classroom. Understood?

Yes, Miss Vilis.

Then do as you were instructed, Mr. Kyner. What are you waiting for?

Jeremy’s hand dropped beside his seat and reappeared holding a crutch. Using it, he struggled to push himself out of his seat until he finally stood erect.

Hmm. I see. You may sit, Mr. Kyner, but if you are to be a student in this school, you will follow directions. Is that clear?

Yes, Miss Vilis.

Unless, of course, you feel you are entitled to special treatment?

The room was now completely silent.

No, Miss Vilis.

Good. Kindly remember that.

Then, looking with a stern countenance at the children of the first through the eighth grades in this one-room school, Miss Vilis said, Class, this is only the first day of the school year. If you are to progress satisfactorily and move on to your next grades, we must all cooperate. We must not allow recalcitrant or willful individuals to cause us to deviate from our course. Each of you must all pull your own weight.

As she said the word recalcitrant, her gaze fell upon Jeremy Kyner and remained there until she finished with her admonishment. Jeremy felt her glare pushing him deeper into his chair.

Now, is that clearly understood by everyone?

In unison, each voice in the room replied, Yes, Miss Vilis.

Good. Now let’s continue. She turned away.

Jeremy winced as the boy sitting behind him punched him between the shoulder blades.

Hey, kid, nice goin.’ Now you got her mad.

Turning to snatch a glance of his tormentor, Jeremy saw a chubby boy who looked older than an eighth-grader. He had unkempt red hair and freckles. Jeremy had never seen him before in his seven years of attending Fairey Hill School.

Out of the corner of her eye, Miss Vilis observed what was happening. She continued the roll call.

After calling several names, which resulted in student after student of various ages springing to his or her feet, repeating, Here, Miss Vilas, then instantly retracting themselves back into worn wooden seats, Miss Vilas called out Bud Malus?

Jeremy started as he both felt and heard the fat boy behind him struggle to free himself from the too-small gap between his chair and desk, both of which were bolted to the wooden floor. He eventually made it to his feet and shouted, Here, Miss Vilas.

Another pupil having trouble standing?

No, Miss Vilis.

Very well, then.

Miss Vilis again pretended not to notice as Malus delivered a second jab between Jeremy’s shoulder blades. Rather than intervening, she turned from the class to suppress a smirk.

One row to the right and several desks behind Jeremy and Malus, sat a girl whose wavy, rust-colored hair just touched her shoulders. She was about Jeremy’s age. Through slightly narrowed lids, her eyes darted from Miss Vilis to Malus’ furtive attack on Jeremy and back to Miss Vilis.

The roll call continued.

"Holy Cow! What did I do to deserve that?"

It was lunchtime and Jeremy was sharing an ancient weathered tree stump in the schoolyard with Betty Smith. The 13-year-old shook her head, whipping her red hair back and forth across her shoulders.

"You didn’t do anything. She’s mean and she’s a hypocrite. I was watching her. She saw that fat kid hit you, but she didn’t try to stop him, not even after her self-righteous speech about discipline. She thought it was funny, too. She was trying to hide her nasty smirk, but I saw it. And you with your bad foot, and all."

Aw c’mon. Really? She’s a teacher!

Yeah? Well, she’s also a, you know, what my dad would call a B-I-T-C-H. Betty flushed with embarrassment.

Jeremy swallowed a bite of his sandwich. I wonder why she’s so mean. She even looks mean. Her face is all pinched looking and her hair is pulled up into that tight bun.

"Well, since she’s Miss Vilis, she’s not married and she’s practically a fossil. She has to be around 35-years-old. That could be why she’s mean."

Or, Jeremy added, "she’s not married because she’s mean."

Either way, she’s mean and she acts like she enjoys it.

Why did Mr. Amicus have to go and get promoted? He was a great teacher.

Yeah, he was, replied Betty, "but he’s gone. Now we’re stuck with her. At least we’ll get Mr. Amicus again when we’re in high school."

Yeah, but until then….

It’s Miss Vilis, said Betty, finishing Jeremy’s sentence.

Well, my mom says accepting misfortune on earth will shorten our time in Purgatory and we’ll get to Heaven sooner. Heck, at least that way I’ll get something out of having Miss Vilis this year.

We Episcopalians don’t believe in Purgatory, so I guess I just have to suffer through the year for nothing, darn it.

You don’t believe in Purgatory?

Nope. It’s either Heaven or Hell. That’s it.

Huh, Jeremy grunted in acknowledgement. My grandfather was in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He says that sometimes life is like being in a war; ‘when the shootin’ starts, all you can do is keep your head down and hope for the best until it stops.’ I guess that’s what we’ll have to do this year, just keep our heads down until it’s all over.

Betty wrapped the remains of her sandwich in wax paper and put it in her lunch pail.

I have to go to the outhouse. I’ll be right back. Please watch my lunch for me.

Okay. He watched enviously as she ran lightly on two strong legs, her red hair bouncing with every step. When she was out of sight, he resumed munching his sandwich and watching the other pupils playing various games.

Suddenly, Jeremy was startled by a loud shout from behind him.

"Hey, you! Crippled kid!"

Jeremy turned toward the source of the insult and tensed at the sight of Bud Malus strutting toward him.

Hey! said Malus, "I just wanted to thank you personally for pissin’ off that ol’ biddy. She took it out on me!" Malus was now standing, with both fists clenched, in front of a still-seated Jeremy.

That had nothing to do with me! It’s not my fault if you’re too fat to get out of your seat fast enough to suit her.

Oh, yeah? You think you can get away with smart mouthin’ me because you’re a cripple with a twisted foot?

With his left hand, Malus grabbed Jeremy by the front of his shirt while he formed his right into a fist.

Concealed in the shadows behind a schoolhouse window, Miss Vilis stood watching. As she did, a slight smile crossed her thin, pale, lips.

I don’t take crap from no one, kid, cripple or no cripple. Ya got it?

Shove off, sailor! shouted Jeremy as he pushed Malus backward with both hands.

Malus lost his grip on Jeremy’s shirt as well as his balance. To the laughter of the other children who had begun to gather in a circle around the tree stump, he fell back onto the dusty ground gasping a loud, Uh.

Struggling against his bulk to get to his feet, Malus finally rose and began advancing on Jeremy, who had grabbed his crutch and was in the process of standing.

You snot-nosed little crip! Now you’re gonna get it!

With his belly jiggling as he swaggered toward his intended victim, Malus again clenched both fists and grimaced at Jeremy.

Just stand there like an idiot and I’ll make this quick!

Malus closed on Jeremy and pulled back his right fist, his knuckles aimed squarely at Jeremy’s nose.

Unable to move quickly because of his clubfoot, Jeremy flinched in anticipation of Malus’ fist slamming into his face. After he involuntarily snapped his eyes shut, he suddenly heard a loud hollow bap but didn’t feel anything. He was disoriented for a split second until he felt something heavy fall against him, almost knocking him over. Opening his eyes, he saw only Betty Smith. She had a firm two-handed grip on a stack of three thick textbooks. Her eyes reflected a seething anger and she was panting from exertion. Malus lay in the dust at Jeremy’s feet.

Cries of Wow, Did you see that? and Holy cow! erupted from the throng of children who had witnessed Betty Smith do what they were all afraid to do.

C’mon, chubby! Get up! Ya want some more? shouted Betty at the prostrate Bud Malus, his clothes covered with schoolyard dust.

Malus rolled onto his back. Fear had replaced belligerence in his eyes. He scuttled away from her on his hands and feet like a frightened crab. His retreat was accompanied by the laughter of his classmates.

Where did you come from? Jeremy asked in amazement and relief after Malus made his hasty exit.

I came back when I heard that jerk shouting at you, she said pointing at Malus as he scurried toward the schoolhouse. I’m surprised Miss Vilis didn’t hear him and come out herself.

Before Jeremy could thank Betty for saving him from a broken nose, their schoolmates crowded in to congratulate Betty on her act of valor and drowned out their discussion.

Hey, Jeremy, one sixth-grader with a cowlick said, Bud’s really gonna be mad now. You better watch it. He sits right behind you.

Yeah, said an eighth-grade girl with long ponytails. You’re back’s gonna be black and blue in a week!

Just let him try something, said Betty. There’s plenty more walloping left in these books!

Betty’s retort elicited a chorus of giggling and laughter. Suddenly, an angry adult voice silenced the schoolyard.

Mister Kyner! Miss Smith! Explain yourselves this instant! shouted Miss Vilis as she strode toward the pair, scattering the collection of children like a wolf scatters sheep.

Explain ourselves? answered Jeremy. Bud Malus was picking a fight with me. Betty stopped him just before he punched me! Everyone saw it!

"What I saw, young man said Miss Vilis, was you pushing Bud Malus to the ground and, when he got up, you, Miss Smith, she said as she raised a finger toward a stunned Betty, ambushed him from behind like a coward and sent him sprawling back into the dirt!"

Both Jeremy and Betty stood in shocked silence. Neither could believe what they were hearing.

Hey, wait a minute! said Betty. That’s not what happened. That fat Bud Malus was attacking Jeremy for no good reason. He would have flattened Jeremy’s nose if I hadn’t stopped him. Everyone here saw it. Just ask them!

"Oh, really? Turning toward the scattered children, she raised her chin and looked down her nose at them. In a regal voice she shouted, Does anyone here wish to contradict what I just said? Did any of you witness Bud Malus attack Jeremy Kyner? Turning to stare through narrowed eyes at Jeremy and Betty, she added, Or did these two attack him?"

A few of Jeremy and Betty’s schoolmates, some of whom they’ve known since the first grade, dared to glance at Miss Vilis and her two victims. Most, however, looked away and pretended not to hear. Their classmates left Jeremy and Betty to fend for themselves. Bud Malus was nowhere to be seen.

That’s what I thought. The two of you are guilty of attacking a defenseless pupil then lying to me about it. Lunchtime for you is over right now! Both of you march back into the school this minute!

But Miss Vilis, that’s not what hap….

"Jeremy Kyner, not another word from you, young man. Now both of you get back into the classroom this minute! You will each be staying after school."

For the rest of the lunch period, Jeremy and Betty were required to sit silently with their hands folded on the tops of their wooden desks. Their only diversion was to contemplate the collection of initials carved into their desktops over the years by their predecessors as they listened to their classmates’ laughter drift in through the open windows. Miss Vilis was seated at her desk reviewing papers. Periodically, she peered over the top of her wire-rimmed glasses at the hapless pair, as though she was expecting to catch them attempting a surreptitious escape.

Finally, Miss Vilis rose and, taking a brass bell with a black wooden handle from her desk, walked to the door at the back of the large, single classroom. She stood just outside the door at the top of the stairs and rang the bell just a bit longer than necessary to signal the end of lunch. She glanced over her shoulder to ensure Jeremy and Betty were still seated, then began scrutinizing the playground for laggards.

Risking a quick peek behind her to be sure Miss Vilis wasn’t watching, Betty whispered, Psst. Jeremy!

Looking quickly back at Betty, then straight ahead, Jeremy returned her whisper, Yeah?

The sounds of talking and laughter grew louder as their classmates approached the entrance.

Did you notice Miss Vilis never asked what the fight was about?

Yeah, and she never went to see if Malus was okay.

Just then, children began to flow through the door, chattering and laughing.

Silence! announced Miss Vilis. The lunch period is over and you are now back in class.

Bud Malus shoved a skinny second grader aside as he made his way to his seat. Looking at Jeremy’s exposed back, he considered giving him a quick punch between the shoulder blades. Amidst the raucous confusion of the children shuffling to their seats, he suddenly heard the loud thwack! of something being dropped. Startled, he looked toward the source of the sound and saw Betty Smith staring at him with undisguised malevolence. Her hands were resting on a stack of textbooks. He decided not to punch Jeremy, after all.

Chapter 2

Unjust

A hundred times?

Yes, Mr. Kyner. You will both write on the chalkboard ‘I will not strike my classmates’ one hundred times. Perhaps that will help you remember how to behave.

School was over for the day and Jeremy and Betty were alone with Miss Vilis in the empty classroom.

Miss Vilis, Betty dared to say, that will take a long time. Jeremy can’t stand on his foot that long!

"Then Jeremy should not have started a fight with Bud Malus and you should not have joined in, Miss Smith. However, I am not a cruel person. Turning to Jeremy, she said, You may take as long as you like, Mr. Kyner, but you will remain here until you finish."

"But Miss Vilis, we didn’t attack Bud, he attacked me for no reason!"

Mr. Kyner, if you talk back to me one more time, you will write out that sentence 200 times! Is that clear?

Yes ma’am.

And your work must be legible, said Miss Vilis as she spun around and walked to her desk. Both students began scrawling the sentence. The sound of chalk moving against slate filled the otherwise silent schoolhouse.

The late summer day was cloudless and warm and all of the windows in the one-room schoolhouse were open. What precious little breeze there was nudged the half-drawn shades and gently animated the American flag in the corner, but provided little comfort to the two toiling youths. It did, however, carry with it the smells of freedom and fun; grass and horses and the sound of a barking dog, thus adding to their misery. The minutes crept into an hour as Jeremy and Betty wrote out sentence after sentence, their fingers cramping from the exertion. Worried for her friend, Betty snuck a surreptitious look at Jeremy and gasped when she saw he was trembling. He’d been on his crutch for far too long. He was perspiring heavily in the afternoon heat and appeared about to collapse.

She was about to speak up and risk Miss Vilis’ wrath when Jeremy said, Miss Vilis?

Looking up from her work and not bothering to hide her annoyance at being disturbed, Miss Vilis again looked over the top of her glasses and answered with a curt, Yes, Mr. Kyner?

My foot is kinda sore. May I please sit for a few minutes?

Mr. Kyner, you are far from finished. If you rest, you will merely prolong your punishment. I presume you have chores waiting for you at home, as did your schoolmates, who by now have finished and are enjoying the afternoon. However, if you feel you must, then you may sit. She returned to her work shaking her head in disapproval.

With a look of true relief, Jeremy started toward the nearest desk. Betty dared a quick glimpse at him, then her eyes darted to her teacher. Miss Vilis was concentrating on her papers and ignoring the distressed boy.

Jeremy was just about to collapse into a chair when he was startled by a familiar voice.

Jeremy? Betty? What’s going on here? Betty, you were supposed to give Jeremy a ride home, but Ronny Kline stopped at the farm and told me you had to stay after school.

Jeremy looked up to see his mother framed in the doorway, a mixed look of confusion and concern in her eyes.

Mom! Miss Vilis gave us detention because….

Detention? Neither of you has ever had detention in your young lives!

"Excuse me, this is my classroom and I will thank you not to burst in unannounced, said Miss Vilis rising from her desk, her shrill voice causing Eleanor Bennett to turn in her direction. I take it you are this boy’s mother?"

You are very correct. I am Eleanor Bennett and I demand an explanation from you immediately! What is happening here?

"You demand? Mrs. Bennett, your son and Miss Smith attacked another pupil this afternoon during lunch. They then lied to me when I confronted them."

They what? They attacked a classmate? They lied? I simply don’t believe it! Jeremy, is what your teacher says true? Did you and Betty start a fight then lie about it?

No, Mom! Bud Malus kept hitting me during class, and then outside during lunch he said I made Miss Vilis mad at him and he threatened to punch me in the face. He was gonna do it, too, but Betty stopped him by knocking him down with some books.

Betty, is that true?

Yes, ma’am. That’s the way it was.

Miss Vilis threw her shoulders back and said, Now see here. I saw what happened and I will not be contradicted in my own classroom and I will not allow you, mother of a pupil or not, to disrupt my disciplinary measures!

Just what did you see? Miss Vilis?

Are you questioning me?

Apparently I am. What you’re telling me is completely out of character for both these children. If you are accusing them, you’d better be correct. Now, what did you see?

Well, I never…!

What—did—you—see, Miss Vilis?

Miss Vilis went wide-eyed in astonishment. Well! she huffed, As I said, I saw your son push Bud Malus to the ground. When he got up, Betty Smith snuck up behind him and struck him on the back of the head with a stack of books. He could have been severely injured!

But you never checked on him, Miss Vilis, said Jeremy.

You impudent young hooligan, responded Miss Vilis, turning her glare on Jeremy. How dare you address me in such a way!

Well, did you determine if this Bud Malus was actually hurt? asked Eleanor.

I will not be interrogated in my own classroom! shouted Miss Vilis with extreme indignation. I told you what I saw. That is good enough!

If you saw a fight, why didn’t you try to stop it?

Well, I….

Just then, Eleanor caught sight of row after row of sentences written on the chalkboard by Jeremy and Betty.

Interrupting Miss Vilis, she looked at her son and asked, Jeremy, how long have you been standing at the chalkboard?

A long time, Mom. I couldn’t take it anymore. I was just gonna sit down when you came in.

How’s your foot?

It really hurts, Mom; my arm and shoulder, too. I was on the crutch for a long time.

Miss Vilis quickly interjected, I allowed your son….

Eleanor glared at Miss Vilis, but she spoke to Jeremy and Betty. Jeremy, Betty, both of you wait outside. Jeremy, find a place to sit down.

Okay, Mom.

Yes, ma’am, replied Betty.

Jeremy and Betty wasted no time making their escape from the growing tempest. Once outside, they also wasted no time in finding a secluded spot near one of the open windows where they could listen unobserved.

Chapter 3

Confrontation

How dare you! shouted Miss Vilis. Who do you think you are dismissing pupils from my classroom?

You vile, hideous woman! shouted Eleanor. You made my son stand on his crippled foot for how long? An hour? An hour-and-a-half ? He can’t tolerate that, you fool!

Mrs. Bennett, I had no idea…

Are you an idiot? Why? Why did you do it? That boy never picked a fight in his life. How could he? Look at his foot! He’d be a fool to start a fight! He can barely walk, for the love of God! My son was the one who could have been seriously injured if Betty Smith didn’t stop that other boy!

I know what I saw, she replied, pulling back her shoulders and raising her chin into the air.

You saw only part of what occurred or you saw only what you wanted to see, or…. Eleanor caught herself before she said what she was thinking. Regardless, your ‘perception,’ Miss Vilis, was seriously flawed, as was your judgment. What were you thinking?

Eleanor put a hand over her eyes. Dear God, please help me to control myself.

In a calmer voice, she said, "Jeremy and Betty and the other eighth graders have been together for the past seven years. I know them all very well. I’ve never heard of this Bud Malus."

Bud Malus is new to Fairey Hill School. He’s also in the eighth grade. He is the new pupil among, as you said, children who have known each other for years.

Are you implying that gives him the right to vent his frustration by beating up my son?

I’m not implying anything of the kind, Mrs. Bennett.

Jeremy is clearly at a disadvantage compared to other children. We’ve had some rough times with the other pupils since he started school. However, with persistence, hard work and the help of God, his classmates have accepted him. I will not tolerate losing what has taken years to achieve because of one young miscreant whom you cannot control. How could you have let this happen? If you had only….

Mrs. Bennett, interrupted Miss Vilis, a serpentine grin spreading across her lips. I’m so sorry we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. We both want what is best for Jeremy, as well as the other students. Isn’t that true?

Oh, no you don’t, thought Eleanor, I won’t take your sweet tonic so easily. From what I’ve seen so far, Miss Vilis, you and I have different ideas of what that really means.

Oh, nonsense, Mrs. Bennett, replied Miss Vilis, her grin a persistent horizontal line across her lower face. I’ve always put the needs of my pupils first, including your son.

Is that why you tortured him by making him stand on his twisted foot for so long?

Mrs. Bennett, I really had no idea Jeremy was in so much pain. If only he had told me, she lied. As for what happened in the schoolyard, I can only repeat what I said earlier; I know what I saw.

"Miss Vilis, you are the teacher and he is the pupil. The responsibility for mature judgment and behavior belongs to you. That includes, by the way, responsibility for acting rashly based on your flawed perceptions."

Eleanor could see Miss Vilis was turning bright red. She appeared to be having difficulty breathing. Good, she thought.

My dear Mrs. Bennett…. Miss Vilis hesitated while she drew a wheezing breath. As I said, I always put my pupils’ needs first. What they need above all else is discipline. Without it, the class would descend into anarchy and learning would cease.

If anything like this ever happens again, Miss Vilis, I will have you before the school board. Is that clear?

Ignoring the threat, Miss Vilis said in a patronizing tone, Mrs. Bennett, didn’t you say Jeremy had ‘rough times’ with the other pupils when he first started school here?

Yes. Children can be cruel, as I’m sure you’re aware. He was often taunted about his foot. There were many days when Jeremy came home crying. Mr. Amicus was wonderful. He worked with Jeremy and the other pupils until Jeremy was accepted. Now Jeremy feels he belongs here and I’m grateful and proud.

Mrs. Bennett, very often parents of children such as Jeremy are blinded to the effect their child has on their classmates. They fail to consider that the other pupils have every right to an atmosphere of learning untainted by distractions.

What are you talking about? I just told you the situation was resolved. Things aren’t perfect, of course. Every year there are new first graders who’ve never seen someone with a deformity, but Jeremy is now so much older than they, they respect him. Sometimes on the street children will point and adults will stare and whisper. Jeremy has learned to cope with it. I believe it’s made him a stronger person. He’s been accepted at Fairey Hill School and he’s happy, or he was until today.

"Mrs. Bennett, you are making my point for me, I’m afraid."

What on earth do you mean? So, I was right not to drink your tonic!

"What I mean to say, Mrs. Bennett, is just as Jeremy was teased when he first started school here, the same thing will happen if he goes on to high school. There he would again be the new student. In addition, while it’s certainly important Jeremy be allowed to pursue his studies untroubled by prejudice, the other children also have rights; to pursue their educations without distractions caused by someone like Jeremy. I believe you’ve failed to recognize that your son’s presence here is disruptive to the educational process. That fact was demonstrated just today." Miss Vilis tilted her head slightly to one side and smiled.

Eleanor’s eyes widened in anger. "What did you just say? If he goes to high school? Because my son has a handicap he’s a distraction and disruptive? So, he has no right to go to school? What do you suggest, that he be taken out and put down like a lame horse?"

Miss Vilis maintained a cool air and her thin-lipped smile. "Mrs. Bennett, there are special schools for children like Jeremy; children who require ‘special’ education. Both Jeremy and the pupils of Fairey Hill School would benefit if he were placed in such an institution." Her smile returned.

You are a vile, malevolent, spiteful woman! How in God’s name were you allowed to become a teacher! My son is just as good and just as deserving as any child in this town! Disruptive? This Bud Malus who attacked him is the one who’s disruptive!

Now, Mrs. Bennett….

"Don’t you ‘Mrs. Bennett’ me! My job as a parent is to ensure Jeremy will be able to function to the best of his ability as an adult. The best way to do that is to raise him in a normal environment. I will not have him separated from his peers and treated differently. Yes, I know those special schools exist for children who need them, but Jeremy doesn’t. As has been proven over the last seven years, his physical problem does not preclude him from benefitting fully as a pupil in this school or from contributing to it."

Even if true, Mrs. Bennett, it still leaves the question of why my normal pupils should be distracted from their studies by having to deal with someone such as your son. As I said, they also have rights.

"’Deal with someone such as my son?’ You are truly loathsome. Jeremy is an example to his classmates that it makes no difference if someone doesn’t fit the accepted definition of ‘normal.’ Such a person is still a functioning human being who is equal to them as a human being and who may, in fact, have other abilities and talents superior to theirs. Jeremy’s presence in this school is a great educational value to his classmates."

That was very well said, Mrs. Bennett, but are you being realistic? Professionals who are experts in training the handicapped could teach Jeremy how to fit into society at least well enough to function at some level. Certainly, you must see that with his deformity Jeremy is really only half a person. You want him treated as though he’s completely whole. That’s very unfair of you.

Eleanor’s eyes again widened. What did you say? My son is only half a person?

Yes. I did. What you believe are acts of kindness and concern toward Jeremy are really acts of cruelty. Do you think you are doing the best thing for him by teaching him his disability doesn’t matter? Why would an employer hire someone like him when there is a surplus of normal applicants? You may not be aware that even before the current economic depression, most handicapped people were unemployed. They were and are burdens on their families and society. I really do believe that as Jeremy’s mother, you are doing him a very grave disservice by not helping him face reality. Miss Vilis smiled again.

Eleanor’s blood ran cold. For the first time in her life she wanted to strike another person.

"This is only your first day with these children. Without bothering to get to know my son, you’ve judged him as being half a person merely on the basis of his physical condition and on that alone. Just because Jeremy can’t walk normally doesn’t mean he can’t be a contributing member of society. While it’s certainly true some children benefit from receiving specialized education, it’s