Rudy & Me

By Brittany "Lenny" Gilbert

A twelve year old girl who is having trouble adjusting to her family dynamics finds refuge and encouragement with her Grandmother until she encounters unexpected obstacles.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781387850501

Book preview

Rudy

&

Me

Copyright © 2018

By: Brittany Gilbert

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2018

ISBN 978-1-387-85050-1 (E-book)

In memory of

my grandmother, Rudy, who was one of the most caring, loving, and patient people I’ve ever known.

March 13, 1952 - August 14, 2014

CONTENTS

CHAPTER—ONE

CHAPTER—TWO

CHAPTER—THREE

CHAPTER—FOUR

CHAPTER—FIVE

CHAPTER—SIX

CHAPTER—SEVEN

CHAPTER—EIGHT

CHAPTER—NINE

CHAPTER—TEN

CHAPTER—ELEVEN

CHAPTER—TWELVE

CHAPTER—THIRTEEN

CHAPTER—FOURTEEN

CHAPTER—FIFTEEN

CHAPTER—SIXTEEN

CHAPTER—SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER—EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER—NINETEEN

CHAPTER—TWENTY

CHAPTER—TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER—TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER—TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER—TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER—TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER—TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER—TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER—TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER—ONE

Brandy entered into the kitchen to find her mom, Felicia, wearing a white and blue sun dress showing a slight pug in her abdomen area moving about frantically. Brandy's stepfather, Mario, a tall muscular man in a black tank top and shorts, walked in after Brandy. Brandy wrinkled her nose and lowered her eyebrows when Mario gave Felicia a passionate kiss.

Good morning, sweetie, Felicia blushed.

Felicia placed a plate filled with bacon, grits and toast on the table in front of Mario just as Brandy pulled out a chair to take a seat.

You don't have time to sit down and eat. Your bus will be here soon. Here; take some toast. Felicia handed Brandy two browned slices.

Brandy took the toast and headed out the door; but she looked back long enough to see Mario in what seemed to her to be breakfast heaven. Despite the toast being soft with a light crispiness, all Brandy could taste was cardboard. She made it to the bus stop and finished her toast just as the bus pulled up for her first day of sixth grade.

As she got aboard on the bus, Brandy's eyes zoomed in on one empty window seat. She sat on the corner of it, thinking about how she and her mother used to indulge in warm pancakes, link sausage and buttery grits together.

Brandy's day dream continued until the bus came to a brake-squealing stop in front of Wood Berry Middle School. All the students hurried off the bus except Brandy, who hung back and was the last to depart. The doors closed and the bus slowly pulled away while Brandy took a minute to get a full view of the school building before walking inside.

As Brandy moved down the hallway through the crowd of students, she observed the newly polished white floor; and the army green, dingy, run- down lockers that were two times her size, left over from when the building had been a high school. And many of the kids streaming into the building seemed to Brandy like giants. Eighth-graders.

Hey, Brandy! called out a girl motioning for her by flapping her arms in a strange way that seemed to be drawing a bit of attention. Brandy scurried over to her best friend Simone.

I could see you from way over on the other side of the room without you doing that thing with your arms, you know, Brandy grinned.

Simone modeled her snug yet multicolored outfit. You like it?

It uh, it's you.

A boy wearing jeans and a large red t-shirt passed by Simone and Brandy.

Simone waved to the boy. Hey, cutie.

Hey, girl, you looking good today.

Thanks, Simone replied with a flirty look.

The boy gave Simone a quick wink before he continued down the hallway. Simone turned to Brandy and giggled.

Girl, did you see him? He is delicious.

Yes, I saw him, Brandy chuckled.

You think he liked my outfit? Maybe he liked my hair. Simone gave her black hair with red streaks a twirl.

I'm sure he noticed you, Brandy grinned. So, what classes do you have?

Brandy and Simone pulled out their schedules and compared them.

I have gym first! Simone groaned. That is just cruel.

I have math, then English.

When is your lunch?

Brandy checked her schedule. Third period.

Simone's face lit up. That's my lunch too.

Well, I don't want to be late to my first class.

You're right. I’ll see you at lunch. Simone turned toward the hall.

You sure will, Brandy waved.

Brandy watched Simone skip down the hallway, then made her way to Room 205. Cautiously walking into the classroom, Brandy saw a tall lady with blond hair, white button up blouse, black skirt, and black heels, standing in front. Most of the desks in the classroom were already taken, but Brandy spotted an empty desk in the middle of the room. She hurried over to it and sat down in the seat just as the bell rang.

Good morning class. My name is Mrs. Williams, and I'd like to welcome you to your math class. My class room is governed by Newton's Third Law. For those of you who don't know what that is, it simply states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means if you break the rules, there are consequences for your behavior. Here are some simple classroom rules that we will need to follow to ensure that we have a productive semester together. Above anything be on time, meaning in your seat before the bell rings. Always be prepared for class. You should have your work completed and book in hand. No electronic devices. This is math class. We use pencils and pens, sometimes. Lastly, respect each other. Not following these rules will cause an equal or greater consequence for not doing so. She was walking around the classroom laying down copies of a light green piece of paper filled with the numbers one through twenty on it. Beside each number is a rule followed by the consequence that goes along with the rule. Place this information in your binders.

All the students, including Brandy, did as Mrs. Williams ordered.

Now, we're going to do some review.

Mrs. Williams wrote 250,457 on the board.

Who can tell me what place the four is in?

Five students raised their hands while Brandy sat quietly.

Yes, Parker.

Hundreds, replied Parker.

That's correct. Mrs. Williams smiled.

Mrs. Williams wrote hundreds on the board. She then wrote the number 460,214 on the board.

What place is the zero in?

Five students shot their hands in the air, anxious to be called on.

Yes, Stacy.

Thousands, replied Stacy.

Correct again. Mrs. Williams wrote thousands on the board. We have time for more. She wrote out the number 435,979. What place is the 3 in?

Almost everyone, except Brandy raised their hands.

Please don't call on me, please don't call on me. Brandy agonized.

Brandy, said Mrs. Williams.

Brandy felt a lump form in her throat as she studied the board.

Brandy, we're waiting.

Ten thousands? said Brandy, uncertain.

That is correct, replied Mrs. Williams.

Brandy let out a deep sigh of relief while Mrs. Williams wrote ten thousands on the board. The bell rang for the students to change classes.

Have a great rest of the day, said Mrs. Williams.

Brandy and her classmates gathered their personal belongings and staggered out of the room. Brandy continued to make her way down the hallway. My next stop; Brandy thought. Room 221.

She glanced down at her schedule to make sure she was at the right classroom, then entered and took a seat at the desk close to the back, in hopes she wouldn't get called on. She began to look around at the large white board, the white walls covered with posters of all great writers like Langston Hughes, Faulkner, and Whitman. Educational truths like Reading is Fundamental, and Write it Right could be found on posters in this room. Students continued to drift into the classroom filling up the empty seats.

A heavy-set male teacher with a pumpkin orange, buttoned-up shirt, orange and black striped tie, and black pants with matching belt, black dress shoes, and gray hair walked in just as the bell rang.

Hello, class. My name is Mr. Brooks and I will be your English teacher. I'd like to start by telling you a little bit about myself. I have three children, a set of three-year-old twin boys named Phil and Dil. I also have a one-and-a-half-year little girl named Elizabeth, and my wife, Pat is a nurse.

A male student in a baby-blue shirt and baggy blue jeans raised his hand.

Yes, said Mr. Brooks.

Do you and your wife be at home playing doctor?

A few of the students, including Brandy, giggled.

Alright class. Mr. Jacob, that is not a school-appropriate question.

I'm sorry, said Jacob.

It's okay, replied Mr. Brooks nodding in approval. Now that you know a little bit about me, I would like to get to know you. Please take out a pencil and a clean sheet of notebook paper and tell me five things about yourself.

All the students, including Brandy, spent a few minutes writing.

Would anyone like to share what they have written?

A petite girl wearing a blue sari and a black pair of flats raised her hand.

Yes, said Mr. Brooks.

The girl stood up holding her list in her hand.

My name is Shanti. My family and I moved here from India when I was ten years old. I have two older brothers and a baby sister. I like to learn and I want to be a pediatrician when I grow up.

That is so interesting. Thank you for sharing. Would anyone else like to go?

A boy with a black t-shirt and gray sweat pants raised his hand.

Yes, said Mr. Brooks.

The boy hesitatingly stood up, with both hands on the desk. Looking down at his paper without making eye contact, he introduced himself.

''My name is Terrell and…"

Excuse me, Terrell. Can you speak up please?

Terrell sighed before he respectfully elevated his voice.

My name is Terrell Jones. I love basketball. I have one younger sister, I like to draw and I like hanging out with my friends.

Thank you for sharing, Terrell. Mr. Brooks glanced at the clock on the wall above the window. Would anyone else like to share?

The room was silent enough to hear crickets.

I guess I can participate. Brandy shyly raised her hand.

Yes. Thank you. What would you like to share with the class?

Brandy put her hand down, then stood up slowly trying not to let her nerves get the best of her. She adjusted her black rectangular glasses before reading.

My name is Brandy Smith. I love my Grandma, Martha Smith. She is very caring, understanding and patient. My dad is an entrepreneur; he owns his own home-repair business. I like to listen to music and I want to be a lawyer.

Thank you for sharing with us Brandy.

The school bell rang. The students began gathering their belongings.

Alright, class. Please turn your all about me assignment in on my desk on your way out.

The students put their assignments in the basket on the edge of Mr. Brooks’ desk.

Brandy walked down the hallway until she saw the Restroom sign. Brandy noticed the walls were a discolored tattered beige. The inside of the stall was smothered in phone numbers and old messages to friends. She used the bathroom and approached the sink, easily distracted by the writings on the bathroom walls. She dried her hands on the rough paper towel and exited quickly. Brandy knew she wouldn't be making too many trips to that bathroom.

She pressed her way down the congested hallway until she got to the cafeteria. The noise in the cafeteria was so loud from everyone speaking all at once that it sounded like the entire room was humming. Brandy took a white Styrofoam tray and joined the lunch line. She felt her stomach growl as she put a carton of vanilla milk on her tray.

Hmmm, Chicken. Brandy grabbed two pieces.

She passed an extra-large pan of macaroni and cheese. This also happened to be one of her favorite foods. She made sure to take the biggest portion she could find. Finally, she was at the front and it just so happened that they had cookies for dessert.

This is going to be delicious, Brandy chuckled quietly to herself.

Brandy scanned the cafeteria until she spotted Simone, once again flapping her arms. Brandy pushed her way through the crowd to get to Simone’s table.

Simone practically had to shout to be heard. It's a jungle in here.

Yeah. Enough of a jungle without you adding to the problem flapping your arms, Brandy giggled.

Simone took a sip of her strawberry milk. How are your classes going?

Besides my English teacher looking like The Great Pumpkin, both he and my math teacher seem nice. How about you?

I hate having gym first thing! replied Simone I mean, who wants to do laps at seven-forty-five in the morning?

Brandy chewed her chocolate cookie. That's crazy.

I know.

Simone continued eating her lunch while disappointed in the taste. Brandy muddled through her lunch, disenchanted with the food which couldn’t compare with the same thing at home, until the bell rang.

We better get going. said Simone.

They tossed their trays, Brandy's half full and Simone's empty into the nearby trash can before leaving the cafeteria. They gave each other a quick hug, and walked down the hallway in opposite directions to their next classes.

Brandy approached room 331. As Brandy entered, the class room she instantly noticed the room was packed with little silver stools. Brandy wasn't sure how comfortable these chairs were going to be but she decided to give it a try anyway, and took a seat near the front of the room. The room was small, which made her feel cramped.

Six students, four boys and two girls, all seemed to pile through the door at the same time just as the school bell rang for class to start. The door located in the back of the classroom opened slowly. In popped a mess of a woman in an orange shirt, black sneakers, white socks, dark blue jeans, a hot pink top with her blond and brown hair in a bun. Brandy, along with her classmates, were fascinated with this woman's flamboyant nature.

She's dressed like Simone. Brandy thought.

Good afternoon class! My name is Ms. Rice, and I would like to welcome you to Family and Consumer Science. Can anyone tell me what they think Family and Consumer Science may be?

A male student dressed casually with square glasses on his face, raised his hand.

Yes, Kazuo.

"Is