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JULY 6 / MONDAY MORNING
“You wanted to see me, Mrs. Logan?” I ask as I walk into the office after first period.
She motions for me to sit. I obey. “I’ve spoken with the security officers, your teacher, and some other students. It does seem you were attacked and defending yourself, but still there are consequences. After speaking with Mr. Richards and Mr. Torrez, we’ve decided that your behavior doesn’t seem conducive to a classroom setting, so you’ll finish summer school in this office. Each morning bring your books and you’ll do all your assignments and tests. You’ve missed so much of the term, this is the only way you’ll get caught up and not fall further behind.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Your father is in the Corps, right?” I nod. The fact she asked tells me that Mr. Richards and Mr. Torrez got her to agree with this without giving her the whole story. They protected me.
“Well, consider this to be like basic training. In the next three weeks, you’ll work as hard as you’ve ever worked. If you do the work, then you’ll be able to start your senior year in the fall.”
“I want that very much.”
“I also suggest for those subjects in which you’re struggling, you find a tutor,” she says. She reaches onto her desk and hands me a sheet of paper with a list of names and numbers. They’re in alphabetical order by first name so Miguel’s name is right in the middle. “One last thing.”
I nod as I pretend to record Miguel’s number even though it’s tattooed on my brain.
“Mr. Richards suggested that you look into some of the VA teen programs or investigate groups on the base that help young people through the deployment of a parent. How about that?”
“I’ve gone to them before,” I confess. “I didn’t really think they helped.”
“Mr. Richards said he thought you could train to facilitate. He believes you’re a leader.”
“That’s a lot to do. I’d better hurry up,” I say. “I’d better do double time.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patrick Jones is the author of more than twenty novels for teens. He has also written two nonfiction books about combat sports, The Main Event, on professional wrestling, and Ultimate Fighting, on mixed martial arts. He has spoken to students at more than one hundred alternative schools, including residents of juvenile correctional facilities. Find him on the web at www.connectingya.com and on Twitter: @PatrickJonesYA.
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