School Bus 533

By Jerrimiah Stonecastle

Some lessons can't be learned in school.

When a beloved school teacher is killed trying to stop a fight in her classroom, her grieving husband decides to substitute for her. The students are about to learn that failing his exams have deadly consequences

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stonecastle Publications LLC
• Release date: Jun 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393194309

Jerrimiah Stonecastle

Jerrimiah Stonecastle was born and raised in the South Bronx, New York to a single parent. His mom is a retired New York City educator who always pushed him to reach for excellence in all that he did. In 2002 he retired from New York City civil service and relocated to North Florida. There he started his writing career with a trilogy series called UC 630 Cop or Criminal:The Crack Wars. In 2016 he formed his own Indie publishing company Stonecastle Publications whose slogan is "Throwing Stones At A Glass House". He now has published 4 books and is currently working on his 5th which is due to be released in January 2018.

Book preview

CONTENTS

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Joanna Penn, your YouTube videos were so informative and inspiring for me. I discovered the ups and downs of this career through your experiences.

Bob Proctor’s speeches changed the way

I viewed my world as a writer and businessman.

My Proof-reader, Ms. Elaine McCarthy

Special shout out to

Julie Broad

Of Book Launchers

Your inspirational videos were very valuable to me.

1 the good heart

T

he clock on the nightstand was showing 4:00 a.m. when Elias Mandylor stood by the bed and watched his wife of thirty years sleep. This is a ritual he had performed for the past fifteen years, every weekday morning before leaving for work as a West Palm Beach County School District bus driver.

Melina, his beautiful Greek wife, also worked for the school district as a high school teacher. She had been transferred to the academically failing, Washington High School in Riviera Beach six years ago. Since that time, all of her students were able to graduate. Melina was loved by her students, who called her Miss Mandy. She won the teacher of the year for the past two years, much to the chagrin of her coworkers.

Melina’s family, specifically her brother-in-law, Vasilis Mandylor, was not thrilled about her working in an inner-city school. And he was not shy about sharing his opinion of the position.

Are you mad, Elias? Vasilis asked, during the family Sunday dinner. How could you let her go and work with those fucking animals?

They are children, Elias, Melina said. And please watch your language.

Children my ass, he said. Even the former First Lady, Hillary Clinton called them animals.

I believe she referred to them as super predators, Arianna, Vasilis’s wife, said.

What the hell do you think of a predator is? he said. Hello, lion, tigers, niggers, oh my!

Elias, who had been quiet, which was his usual disposition, picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth. He stood up and walked over to Vasilis as the rest of the family followed him. Elias was not a tall man, standing only 5-feet 8-inches, but was a solid 285 pounds and looked like a tank. When he stood in front of you, no matter how much taller you were, he was an imposing figure.

I’m sure you heard my wife when she said she didn’t want to hear any more profanity, brother, Elias said, squeezing Vasilis’s shoulder hard. If you ever use that word again in this Christian house, I’m going to take you apart. Do you understand?

Ow, I hear you, Vasilis said, in obvious pain.

There’s no need for violence, Elias, Paul Cagnola, Melina’s dad, said. He is just concerned about your wife and my daughter’s safety. Something you should be. I don’t understand this cavalier attitude that you have. Your wife is going into a war zone every day.

I understand his concern, Papa, he said. But there is a respectful way for him to show it. And don’t forget, I also work in that war zone. I transport the children to that school every morning. And I can tell you they are not all bad. Besides, our God doesn’t expect us to live with a spirit of fear.

I’m sure you won’t find God in that school, Vasilis said.

Vasilis, what is wrong with you? Melina asked. You weren’t raised like this. You know God is everywhere, in every mind, and every heart.

That’s because he hasn’t been to church in twenty years, Meli, Elias said. That’s what’s wrong with him.

No, I just opened my eyes to see the world as it is, he said. You live in that fantasy world painted by your priests. There are no bad people, just misunderstood ones. Do you ever take your head out of your bible for a minute, and watch the news, or read a newspaper? When someone is robbed or raped, what does the suspect look like?"

Yes, the media loves to plaster a black face on the screen, Vasilis, Melina said. But when the suspect is white they don’t plaster his face on the screen. And if they do put it up, it is days later. They perpetuate this stereotype through this selective subliminal reporting. They do it because it generates more ratings and viewership by fear-mongering.

So, I guess you’re saying it’s all fake news, he said.

No, I’m saying I’ve made my decision and don’t care to discuss this topic at my table anymore, she said. Now, pass the gravy, please.

Elias smiled, watching Melina put Vasilis in his place. She was a petite woman, standing only 4-feet 11-inches, and weighing 98-pounds soaking wet, but she was very strong-willed. His wife was never one to back down, no matter how big the opposition. But she was a very kind woman, and always looked for the good in a person. Vasilis made this task a daily struggle for her.

*_*_*_*

Melina had wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember. When she was six, and little girls were playing with dollhouses, she was playing school teacher with her older siblings. With seven older siblings, she had a large classroom. Her parents loved to watch her conduct class and chastise her siblings if they didn’t pay attention to her. It was an amusing display that they looked forward to seeing daily. As she grew older, her classroom shrunk as the novelty of the play wore off her maturing older brothers and sisters. Soon only her parents were the students.

Elias lived across the street from her and always looked forward to playing school with her. She tried to get Vasilis to play with them, but he was a few years older and thought they were stupid. Melina sat in front of Elias in class and was always seen together. They shared their first kiss on her twelfth birthday and were officially boyfriend and girlfriend after that. They were inseparable until after graduation.

The town of Stylidas, Greece, only had a few job opportunities. The largest was a shoe factory that employed some 500 employees. The rest of the town’s 5,800 population would have to travel some 88 miles to Athens to find meaningful work. Elias’ family only had one car that his father used for his commute to work. The only other job he felt he was best suited for and was sure he could get was to join the Hellenic Army.

Melina cried during the drive to the train station to see Elias off. After a hug and a long kiss, he promised to write her every day until his return. Elias also pledged to send her half his pay to help support her through college, as her family was too poor to pay for her school supplies. For four years, he wrote and mailed his paycheck religiously. And when she graduated with her teaching degree, he was granted leave to help her celebrate.

That night, while they were having dinner, Elias got down on one knee and held out a diamond engagement ring.

Melina, ever since we were little children, we were together in some way, he said. We have never been apart except when I went to do my duty. Now, I want our love to graduate, as well. Will you marry me so we can continue this journey called life together?

Yes, Elias, she said, tears flowing down her eyes. I will marry you, my love.

The celebratory roar was deafening as Elias picked Melina up and kissed her. There was not a dry eye in the restaurant. There was no shortage of people buying drinks for the couple. Two days later, they were married in the church, where they were both baptized.

There was only standing room as half the town showed up for the event. With the money that Elias had been sending and the wedding gifts, Melina had enough money to move to America and continue her studies.

Three months later, she was on a plane heading to her Aunt’s home in West Palm Beach, Florida. There Melina continued her studies until Elias joined her two years later after his discharge from the army. She tried to ask him what he did during his six years in the military, but he made it clear to her that he didn’t want to talk about it, and she never asked again.

*_*_*_*

Let me make you some breakfast, hun, Melina said, awoken by Elias’ kiss on her forehead.

No, hun, it’s too early, he said. I didn’t mean to wake you. I’ll grab something at the deli as I always do. Go back to sleep.

Are you sure? she asked, reaching up and kissing him on the lips.

I’m sure, my love, he said. Go back to sleep.

I love you, she said, turning over and falling asleep.

Elias paused at the bedroom door to look at her one more time.

I love you more, he said, blowing her a kiss.

Elias’ first pick up was a sweet Puerto Rican girl named Angela Grimes. She always said good morning when she got on the bus. She wore glasses that only enhanced her beauty and her academic appearance. Angela was selected to be this year's High School Valedictorian because of her 4.0 GPA.

Good morning, Mr. Mandylor, she said.

Good morning, Angela, he said. How are you this morning?

I’m so tired, she said. I was cramming for a bio test with Mr. Sotomayer.

I hear he gives some tough exams, he said, closing the door. But, you’ll ace it as usual.

I hope so, she said, taking out her textbook.

The next students scheduled for pick up were Jason Coltraine and Julie Brown, both juniors. Julie was also very pregnant.

Julie and Jason had been friends since childhood but never dated. Julie’s current boyfriend was Elias’s next pick up. He was Darryl Boston, a junior and younger brother of Tyrone Boston, who was a senior. The atmosphere on the bus always became negative the minute the Boston brother’s stepped on the bus.

Good morning, gentlemen, Elias said, as the pair stepped on the bus.

Darryl ignored Elias, but Tyrone gave him the finger. As he passed Angela, he slapped her book closed.

What’s sup, bookworm, he said, sitting next to her.

Not you, she said, drawing an ooh shit remark from Darryl.

Hey, fuck you, stuck up, bitch, he said, standing up. That’s why nobody wants your ass.