Finding Margaret

By William Hatting

Margaret Hiller transfers to a new school halfway through the first semester. She is behind in all subjects, trying to catch up to her grade level. Her stained clothes are an excuse for bullies to take advantage of her bad situation. Gossip and rumors she's an ex-con add to the fuel of bullies' degrading comments and physical assaults. At home, she cares for her disabled mother, who is suffering from a terminal illness, which complicates her personal and school life. She walks home each day without a car and is too poor to pay to ride the school bus home. Along her route home, angry kids await to ambush her, and she must avoid confrontations and attacks. Two sisters step forward to help her survive a brutal school life and improve her personal life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Themis Books
• Release date: Feb 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224652327

William Hatting

Bill has traveled worldwide for various reasons, changing schools four times in one year. It is with this experience he crafted this story. Some parts are based on actual events. He currently resides in California with his wife Cynthia. 

Book preview

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said and what you did but never forget how you made them feel.

Maya Angelou

Author’s Comments

My education began and ended in twenty-two different schools due to my father’s in-demand specialized training. We transferred across the US and two foreign countries until he settled in 1964 in one place long enough for me to complete high school. Having many starts and stops in my education, I fell behind most students and failed to go up one grade due to our extended relocation that took five months of one school year. This story is a peek into my life, the many starts and stops, bullies, and other detriments to my education. Though I never went into juvenile detention, I came close several times because of fighting. Many characters in this story are a combination of people who passed through my life. Some scenes are based on actual events.

Also, By Bill Hatting:

Street Souls

Tales of Lotus Lake

Finding Margaret

Margaret Hiller, a seventh-grade student, transferred into Lincoln Middle School mid-semester. Soon, rumors and gossip about her past bad reputation almost destroyed her. Margaret and her mother, Olga, have given up on a miracle that will save them. Her future is bleak and dark because her age and station limit her choices. Despite juvenile court injustice and the abuse endured in her short life, she discovered kind and loving people would step in and help.

Chapter 1

Margaret Hiller’s stomach twisted in anxious fear when she approached the school she was supposed to attend. How will she be perceived? Who is going to hate her first? Will her reputation follow her? More than anything, she was more visible than most students in the middle-class school. Her clothes were stained and never looked clean. She had just enough money to buy food for her lunches and little else. She had never heard of excess spending or knew rich kids.

Inside her book bag, she carried an envelope given to her by the girl’s counselor from the last school. She would register as a new student six weeks after school began, which frightened her to tears. She would have been on time if not for one person: Mister Peter M. Turner, who was anything but pleasant or humane towards Margaret.

She slowly went inside and saw the milling students around the office, where she had to present her transcript from her previous school. A student clerk looked at her and reluctantly approached the counter to ask if she could help.

May I see the girl’s counselor?

May I have your name?

Margaret Hiller.

She waited a few minutes for Mrs. Dianne Atkins. A young woman with a master’s degree in sociology and psychology approached Margaret from the side, introduced herself, and led Margaret to her small office.

How can I help you?

Margaret felt dizzy explaining her previous school to this attractive, twenty-five-year-old woman.

Margaret faltered with her first word, I...I need to register for school here.

Oh, okay, is your mom or dad here?

No, I have to self-register. My father is dead, and my mother is severely disabled and can’t walk. I must do this alone.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Margaret produced the envelope, This will explain everything you need to know about me.

Mrs. Atkins had a curious expression looking at the certified stamped envelope, State of California, Division of Juvenile Justice, Sacramento, California.

Mrs. Atkins glanced at Margaret, Is this your previous school?

Yes, I was released from probation last week and told to register at this school.

Oh, give me a moment to review this. Do you need something to drink?

No, thank you. I have water in my bag.

Mrs. Atkins read the transcript and the accompanying letters of recommendation for exemplary behavior, high standards, and high grades for the year. Her math and English scores were high, well above average at the previous school.

Looking up from the many documents, Mrs. Dianne Atkins smiled, I can register you without a parent based on these letters and your transcript. For official records, your previous school is Serra Middle School in Oakland. Is that where you were placed?

No, I was in Stanislaus county. They have a private charter school there, but Oakland is the concealment name for my misdeed.

Was it a violent situation?

No, I was shoplifting and selling the goods to buy food.

Really, and you were placed in detention? Expensive items?

No, the most I received was fifteen dollars.

My goodness, that seems unfair.

It was.

Mrs. Atkins tapped Margaret’s name, address, and all other pertinent data except her detention school and previous charges.

It is my job to make sure you blend in with the population as best possible. All this data is confidential; only the previous concealed school and grades will be on your school record.

Who else has access to my school files?

Girl’s records are in my locked file cabinet behind me. I’m the only person with access. The principal, Mister Marshall, will review with great interest. He might wish to talk with you. Wait here a moment; I have to confer with him.

Margaret fiddled with her sore fingers, using a baby wipe to clean stains off her hands.

Atkins returned, Margaret, follow me. He’d like to talk with you.

Margaret’s stomach tightened. She was slightly dizzy, afraid of anyone in authority, afraid she’d cry.

Principal Wallace was the typical man for the position: short, overweight, balding, wearing square-rim glasses, and looked up when Mrs. Atkins introduced Margaret Hillier. He didn’t rise or welcome her. His face looked terse and cold. He pointed at the hardback oak chair for her to sit on.

Why did you come here?

I live within the district, and if you notice, I was told to register here.

He set her folder aside, You got into trouble and came here to do what?

I’m here to learn, nothing more.

Miss Hiller, I’ll be straightforward with you and others like you. Do not make trouble or enter into violence. I’ll kick you to the curb in one minute if that happens. I hope this is not too difficult to understand. You get it?

Sir, I’m not violent, nor will I seek or start trouble. If I’m bullied or pushed around, how do I react?

He leaned closer to Margaret, Don’t go there.

Sir, I have never started a fight but have been attacked. I can’t allow thugs to beat me to death unless that’s what you want.

Mrs. Atkins grimaced, watching Wallace, If that happens, all I can say is better you than me. Keep your nose clean, mind your business, and get with the program.

That is my goal.

That’s all I have to say. Keep an eye on her, Miss Atkins, at the first scent of trouble by this girl, send her home forever.

Mister Wallace, may I comment?

If you must, he removed his glasses, What.

I know my past will be discovered; my concern is when that happens, bullies will come out of the woodwork. Am I allowed to defend myself if it’s physical?

Didn’t you hear what I just told you; keep your nose clean.

If thugs attack me, do I defend and protect myself?

Miss Hiller, there isn’t anything left to say. Miss Atkins, finish processing her and get her started.

Miss Atkins led her to her office and closed the door, Margaret, we don’t want fights on campus. Please do what you can to avoid them, and we’ll deal with the situation as it occurs. If you are bullied or beaten, try to remember them and submit their names to me; we’ll end it. I am disappointed with Mister Wallace’s comments to you. If you have problems, come to me first. He isn’t student-friendly sometimes. Everyone avoids him, and for good reason.

He’s your boss?

Yes, I’ve only been here for four months, and my direct interaction with him has not been the best. That’s my problem; I shouldn’t be telling you this.

No one will know unless he’s eavesdropping.

Hope not. Ready to meet your homeroom associates?

No, but I’ll do my best to get along. Mrs. Atkins, I’m not a violent person, nor do I look for trouble. I’ve endured a lot of mean people, and all I want is peace in my life.

I’ll do my best to help you with that. She handed Margaret her class schedule, You are on the B-Schedule. The A schedule is a different class mix for eighth and ninth graders. The B schedule is a seventh and eighth-grade mix. You might share a class or two with seventh and eighth-grade students. I need to ask: one thing that might release forces is your clothes. Do you have anything besides the stained shirt you are wearing?

No, I only have two; this is the cleanest of them.

Please don’t think I’m condescending if I get better clothes for you. Will you wear them?

I might if they fit. Please don’t bring them to school. It will be obvious and cause problems for me.

I can meet you off campus. Do you know where the Starbucks is?

It’s a long way from here; we don’t have a car. My mom is partially blind and can’t drive. I have to walk everywhere.

Oh, that’s hard life. Try this. I can bring one nice shirt, meet you here, stuff it in your book bag, and change it in the girls’ bathroom. No one will see the exchange.

I’m willing to try at least one time. Only two or three. I have to hand wash everything.

I see; I’ll make it easy for you. Margaret, my life has not been a smooth one either. We need to meet your homeroom classmates. Ready? I know you’re not. Atkins smiled; come here in the morning before class. I’ll have a new shirt. After you change, I’ll take the dirty one home and wash it for you."

Margaret looked down, Thank you. I’ll do my best to get along.

Margaret followed Atkins to the homeroom class.

This is Margaret Hiller; she is a transfer from a different school in California.

"Mrs. Hobson welcomed her and told her to find a vacant seat.

The seat in front of her was a pleasant girl, about the same age, with blonde hair, thin, and looked like an athlete. A blonde girl sat across the aisle and touched Margaret’s hand with a nice smile, Welcome to Lincoln Middle School. My name is Elaine McKittrick. I’ll be happy to help you find your way. It can be confusing for new students.

The girl in front turned, I’m Christy McKittrick; we’re sisters.

Margaret nodded slightly and kept her eyes on her notebook and class schedule. Several important announcements were on the PA system and roll call, and students adjourned for their first class.

Elaine walked with Margaret, What schedule are you on, A or B?

I was told the B schedule. Is the A for advanced groups?

No, some are AP courses, advanced placement, a different group of students. My sister and I have one AP class, English, but that’s on the B-schedule. That’s easy.

Elaine read her schedule, We are on the same schedule. Elaine explained, The A and B are nothing more than eight and ninth are on A, and seventh and eighth are on the B. We have classes with both grades sometimes. Who goes to which class? We call it BS; it’s a silly way to assign courses. We all attend the same classes but at different times. You and I are on the same time frame.

They were walking to the stairway to the second floor, Math is rooms 220 to 260; English is 270 to 280, at the end of the second floor. Science classes are on the first floor, room 140 to 150; the lab is next door, room 141 to 151. History is in rooms 152 to 155, and foreign language is in rooms 160 to 170. I’ll help you anytime you ask. You are enrolled in Spanish 101. We’ll share and struggle together.

Elaine, I speak Spanish. I don’t think I need the class.

Cool, tell Mrs. Ramírez. She might test you out for credit. Maybe you can tutor me; I’m struggling.

I’ll help you. It’s not hard. Memorize five words a day; you’ll get it.

Margaret was quiet, said thank you, and entered the math class. As a new student, she had to catch up. No one told her she had to draw her textbooks from the library; sitting in class without a text avoided odd stares and shared Elaine’s book.

Margaret needed help with the subject. Six weeks behind others because her detention school didn’t teach this type of math. She’d need help but feared asking.

After class, two girls behind. Margaret commented who is the dumpster diver? Margaret, is that your name?"

Margaret replied quietly, Yes, Margaret. They snickered, We have a nice dumpster out back. Feel free to dig around. They wandered away, chuckling. She didn’t respond or say a word other than her name. Elaine shook her head, I’ve known them a long time. What is their problem?

Margaret was ashamed of her appearance; she had two brown baggy tops that looked dirty and stained. It was the best she could do with the funds available. As for dumpster diving, she rummaged through Salvation Army dumpsters, taking clothes they couldn’t sell or give away. For her, they were free, the only price she could afford.

By the end of her first day, the dumpster girl label stuck, and kids were more critical.

Who would go out with that trash heap? Crap, she’s a walking disaster.

Elaine wasn’t sure how to defend Margaret. But she made it through her first emotional day.

Riding the bus is a transportation fee of fifty dollars per term or a walk home. Margaret walked home, seven miles one way. Elaine and her sister Christy were on the bus waiting for everyone to board when Christy noticed Margaret’s languid pace, clasping her books to her chest, eyes down.

Who is that? Erica asked, watching the girl, Is that the new girl?

Elaine whispered, Margaret Hiller. She transferred in from a different school.

The bus moved out, and Erica and Christy watched Margaret until they were out of sight and at their stop ten miles away.

Chris glanced at her sister, She looks sad and defeated.

Elaine replied, That’s accurate. She is sad and hardly says a word to anyone, replies, but nothing more. She’s been labeled dumpster girl.

Maybe we should keep an eye on her.

I stayed with her today, showed her around, and helped her settle. Chrissy, I don’t think she has any supplies for school. She has one pen and a thin notebook. It looks like it was in the trash.

Maybe we can help.

She won’t accept help. I’m sure she’s too proud to accept it.

We can try.

The next day and the following weeks, Margaret’s school life declined. Walking home each day, she hid her tears, her sadness. Name-calling began, labels formed, and discriminatory behaviors emerged. Bullies slithered from the school’s underbelly; physical assaults formed and were about to explode.

Leaving her last class of the day, a male student remarked where Margaret heard, What’s with that dirty bitch? Why is she here?

Margaret turned and looked at him, Why do my clothes offend you? Is it because I don’t dress like you? Please leave me alone. I want peace; is that too hard? Try to ignore me with all your might. I won’t bother you, please don’t bother me. She continued walking out and toward her home.

John, I think she just told you off.

He smiled, shook his head, and went out the door.

Chapter 2

After school the next day, Elaine caught up with Margaret walking home.

Margaret, may I keep you company?

She looked behind her, Are those your friends?

"Sort of, we hang out together. Friends, to me, are people who stay with you in the worst times of your life. Only one in that group has stuck with me,