The Old Girl goes Batty

By

Rowlen Delaware Vanderstone III

A Contemporary Tale of a,

A Rite of Passage

For Boys Who Love "Wild and Woolley Adventures

Copyright 8/25/2020 Rowlen Delaware Vanderstone III

Smashword Edition

License Notes

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Chapter 1

Trouble at School

The First semester for the Grand Seven went rather easy for the boys’ Denny and Twins had moved up to the high school as freshmen, Jimmy and Roger advanced to Sophomores, and Jake was now a Senior. Terri Walker and Susy Wilks had started the Fall term in community college having finished a summer term. It seemed like the First semester for the boys went by too fast. Before they knew it, it was winter break. Then that went by fast. Right after Christmas Jake got a call from Caesar Rosenberg, his Father was taking a sabbatical from the University to go to Europe to research a new book on classical music. He was wondering if Jakes parents had room for another boy as he wasn’t keen on staying with his Mother in the U.P. and going to a hick school as he put it. Mr. Rosenberg had a talk with Mr. Lake, and they worked things out. The last week in December Caesar was enrolled in Apple Valley High school as a Junior.

The Lake mansion had plenty of room for Caesar a room much like Jakes with a its own sitting area in the large bedroom and a private bath. Mrs. Lake was thrilled to have another boy in the house and started off spoiling Caesar with fresh cookies and treats. Mr. Lake tried to discourage his wife, but to no prevail. Caesar loved it. What Caesar loved most was the music room at the Lake mansion. It had a Baby Grand collecting dust as no one in Jakes family ever learned how to play. Caesar tickled the ivories that first day he discovered it, then shuddered, it was in need of a serious tuning. Mr. Lake assured Caesar he would have the Baby Grand tuned by the end of the week. Jake set up his keyboard and played some Rag time on it, and the Lakes sat in the music room enjoying the first music they had heard in the Mansion in many a decade. Then got his Sax out and gave them some soulful music, that stirred the heart and echoed through the mansion it’s mournful notes. Later that night Jake suggest that Caesar join the school band, they could use a good sax player. Caesar auditioned for the band the following week and was accepted. The music teacher was a lover of blues and the Jazz, played a mean horn himself. For the first time Caesar was in a music environment that appreciated the Blues and Jazz, a far cry from his Father world of classical music.

Second semester started out with a sour note for Ricky. When he started first semester in September, he was worried that his fellow students wouldn’t except him because he was black. He soon discovered that wasn’t going to be a problem, it seemed as if no one noticed the color of his skin. His personality won them over. When second semester started, Mr. Walters, the 7-grade math teacher had a mild heart attack over the winter break. He decided that after 25 years of teacher it was time to retire. His replacement was a teacher from out of state, from Georgia. He was a young man fresh out of college, with an attitude he did not hold to students who could not adhere to authoritarian methods of teaching and discipline in the classroom. Right off the bat on the first day back to school Mr. Sumter had two of his Female students in tears when he ridiculed them sharply for their lack of understanding the equation he had written on the board. He dressed them down for not comprehending a long string of Trigonometry that a 3rd Grader should know. He then proceeded to hand out a pop quiz on advanced Algebra.

Then on the next day of class berated the class for morons when he announced everyone in the class failed. When Ricky Radameyer stood up and said, this is a 7-grade math class not a college graduate course in math. Mr. Sumter sent Ricky to the Principal’s office for disciplinary action. Then informed the class that he will not tolerate insubordination and as an example each student would be given an unsatisfactory mark in today gradebook taking 10 points off their daily grade. Then informed them that new textbooks would be handed out tomorrow introducing them too an advanced curriculum in Junior High math recommend by the State School board. The class moaned collectively. That’s another demerit for everyone, Keep, this up and you will be taking this class over again next year. Mr. Sumter threaten.

They were saved by the bell from another demerit. When a couple of students went to the principal’s office to complain, they discovered that the principal was away on an educational conference and wouldn’t be back for a week. You can see the new Assistant Principal Taylor the office clerk said. Mr. Taylor made it clear to them that it was out of his hands about the new math books. When one student told the assistant principal that it isn’t as much about the new text book. It’s about this new teachers attitude, he keeps given out demerits every time someone gives him a wrong answer to a math problem, then doubles the demerit if you speak out. Assistant Principal Taylor informed them that a teacher is within his right to give out demerits for bad behavior. I would suggest you keep your mouth shut, you are not here to be heard, you are here to learn. Now get out of my office, or I will have all of you in detention for a week. You can tell that colored kid to keep his mouth shut or else. Mr. Taylor slammed the door on them.

The Two students walked out of the school office, dumbfounded, they never faced such animosity in a principal before. They didn’t like Ricky being called that colored kid either or told to shut up or else.

Next day in math Ricky finds a typed note in his new text book that was on his desk. It read there is no place in this school for people like you. You belong back in the jungle with the rest of the baboons. It wasn’t signed. Mr. Sumter, I think I am going to be sick. With the note crumbled up in his hand, he ran out of the room.

Mr. Radameyer get back here at once, I didn’t give you permission to leave. That will be ten demerits for disrupting this class. Mr. Sumter yelled at Ricky as he ran out the classroom. He didn’t stop running until he got back to his room at the Inn. Mrs. Walker was startled, alarmed when Ricky wouldn’t answer his door. She got her pass key and let herself in found Ricky in bed crying. The note still in his hands. She pulled the note from his grasp and read it. She went pale.

Oh, you poor boy. She left Ricky in his room and went to make a phone. "Twenty minutes later, Sheriff Capp was knocking at Ricky’s bedroom door. He walked in and found Ricky packing his backpack with clothes.

"If you are running away, you will always be running from something. It’s time you stop running and face whatever nightmares that are chasing you. Who gave you this note Ricky? The Sheriff asked the boy.

I don’t know Sheriff, I found it in my new math book on my desk when I got to math class. Anyone one could have put it there. Ricky said.

I see, it’s looks like it has been typed on an old typewriter, who do you know in your class that would have an old typewriter. The Sheriff asked.

"I don’t know Sheriff, the computer lab at school has printers, I don’t think I even know what an old typewriter looks like.

Sheriff, I just got a call from the schools Assistant Principal, he told me that Ricky is suspended for two days for leaving campus without permission. Mrs. Walker told the Sheriff.

What in the hell is going on here. Sorry Marie didn’t mean to cuss. The Sheriff apologized.

Ricky spoke up. Sheriff we have a new Assistant Principal, and a new math teacher. I didn’t want to tell Mother Walker this, yesterday I got sent to the principal’s office for asking the new math teacher why he was teaching us college level math instead of 7th grade math. He sent me to the principal’s office for insubordination. Everyone in class wanted to ask the teacher the same question. I guess I said it first. We know have new text books today, looks like a college text book. Yesterday two of my classmates went to the principal’s office to talk to him about the new teacher. The principal is out of town at an educational conference. Mr. Taylor the new Assistant Principal had a talk with the students. They told me at lunch time today what Mr. Taylor told them I would suggest you keep your mouth shut, you are not here to be heard, you are here to learn, he also said, You can tell that colored kid to keep his mouth shut or else. Then I found that note in my new math book."

***

Marie, I can’t believe this, I thought this town was getting past this nonsense. Sheriff Capp stated.

Andrew, I don’t think it’s local folks behind this. This new teacher was recruited at the last moment when Mr. Walter had his heart attack last month and decided to retire. I didn’t know we had a new Assistant Principal. Marie told Andrew.

Jimmy, Roger, and the Twins came rushing into the Inn. Mom, Sheriff Capp, we heard Ricky got sick in class and had to leave suddenly. His he okay. Jimmy asked.

He is fine Jimmy, he is not sick. His Mother told him. He is in his room, tell them Andrew. Sheriff Capp handed the note to Jimmy, explained Ricky found this in his new math book.

Jimmy read the note and handed it to Roger who shared it with the twins. This is ridiculous Sheriff, no student in school would do this.

I don’t think it is a student Jimmy. The Sheriff replied.

Then who Sheriff? Jimmy asked.

That I have yet to discover Jimmy. Why don’t you boys go to Ricky, and try to talk some sense into him, he was packing up his backpack, ready to run away. The Sheriff asked the boys. The four darted off to Ricky’s room. Marie don’t worry I don’t think Ricky was really going to run, he is just upset, afraid. The boys will calm him down, or I am sure Jimmy will sit on him until he does. You know those boys have gotten attached to Ricky. Andrew assured Marie. I think it is time we pay Mr. Taylor a visit at school. Marie, give the school a call and check to see if Mr. Taylor is in his office still, tell him you insist on seeing him now. Don’t mention I am with you, I want to see his reaction

‘I’ll tell Jimmy to watch the Inn, it’s my slow season, so there shouldn’t be a problem." Marie said.

Marie and the Sheriff cornered the Assistant Principal in his office. Now look here Mrs. Walker, I don’t think one of my teachers would do this. I am sure that the note is just a prank, there was no need for you to bring the law in on this matter. Sheriff Capp I am very capable of handling pranks in this school, you’re not welcomed here...

Mr. Taylor, you do not tell this Sheriff where he is not welcomed. Prank or not, I consider it a serious problem. This kind of racial hate isn’t a prank, it is the mind of a bigot. If it’s a student, it’s your responsibility as an educator to educate young minds to understand bigotry is wrong and not tolerated in this community. If it’s a teacher, I will have them up on charges of Felony Hate crimes, do you understand me Mr. Taylor. Sheriff Capp told Mr. Taylor.

You will not tell me how to run my school, Sheriff, I will not be bullied by the likes of you.

Mr. Taylor this is not your school, it belongs to the parents, and the community who pay your wages. You answer to the Superintendent and he answers to the School Board, they answer to the parents of these students. I am of those parents and I am telling you this is no prank. Nor is it a prank when I tell you I’ll have your butt in the unemployment line by the end of the week. You may be new here in town, so I suggest you do your homework. You can start with the town’s history, and who built this town, who built this school building, and holds the lease on this property, Stated the Sheriff.

I don’t give a damn about your family history or who in your family built this school. You have no right to play that card on me. I’ll have you up on Ethics charges with the county, Sheriff, using your family status to bully me. Mr. Taylor challenged.

I’m not the family you need to worry about Mr. Taylor, that family own’s ¾ of this town, and is highly respected by this community. If you are renting a place here is most likely your landlord as well. So, I suggest you back down, know your place before you tell me to know my place. Furthermore, what this nonsense telling students they Are not here to be heard, but here to learn, then threaten them with detention. The last time I heard, Freedom of speech was protected by our U.S. Constitution.

Sheriff Capp you have no jurisdiction here, this is the local city authorities jurisdiction. I suggest you leave my office now. Mrs. Walker, your foster boy, left the school grounds without permission a violation of our closed campus policy. He disrupted Mr. Sumter’s class not once but twice in the last two days. If he is not actually sick, I am sorry, his suspension stands. You can go to the school board if you like, but they have no authority over suspensions, only expulsions. Now, if you will excuse me, I have work to do, or do I need to have security walk you out of here. Mr. Taylor threaten.

Sheriff Capp walked Marie out of his office. Then told her to wait out in the hallway. The Sheriff stood outside Mr. Taylors office to the side of his doorway listening to a Mr. Taylor make a phone call. Listen, Sheriff Capp was just here with that colored boys foster mother. He is raising a stink about that note you put in the boys text book. I assured that northern bumpkin it was just a prank by one of the students and not to worry. I’ll handle it. Yes, I’ll be there on time don’t worry. Mr. Taylor ended the call.

The Sheriff rejoined Marie out in the hall. I’ll tell you later, I drop you off at the Inn, tell the twins to be home on time for Dinner. The Sheriff dropped Marie off at the Inn and returned to the School to discover Mr. Taylors car in his assigned spot was gone. He missed him. He returned back to the station and made a few phone calls. The last call he made was to Mr. Mom. He explain what had happened at school with Ricky. Then about his visit with Marie to the school. He then asked Dr. Mom to give Marie a call, and suggest she needs to make a house call on Ricky. Give the boy a signed note that he is excused from school he has something or another wrong with him. The Sheriff told Dr. Mom she’s the Pediatrician I'm sure you can come with something legitimate to keep the boy out of school for a week. Sheriff Capp told his wife, that Mr. Taylor was going to learn that this northern bumpkin eats bigot’s for lunch every day.

***

Ricky got a week off from school, his teachers sending him his school work via Jimmy. Except for Mr. Sumter’s class. He stood firm that he didn’t have to during Ricky’s period of suspension. He would have to make that up when he returned back to school. Mr. Taylor didn’t except his Doctor’s note excusing him from his class because he was sick. It was signed by Dr. Sersha Capp, MD., The sheriffs wife. She pulled rank on him when she told Mr. Taylor she was the school districts health officer, she could have the school closed for a week of quarantine, a week of disinfecting the school against the further spreading of the flu virus. Including quarantining all staff for a week. If he refused, she could then get the County health board to enforce it. Principal Starkweather wouldn’t like it if he returned from his conference to find his whole school closed down because his new Assistant Principal refused to accept a physician’s note excusing a student from his classes.

Though Ricky wasn’t really sick, he was sick of pretending he