The Christmas Calamity

by Shanna Hatfield

  “Let’s take them all back to the classroom and spread them out there.” Alex picked up a pile of slates, pleased when Tom picked up the second pile without having to be asked.

  After doing a quick head count, she discovered Fred had disappeared again.

  “Fred?”

  The boy didn’t respond.

  “Fred! We’re going back to the classroom. Stay or go, your choice.” Alex herded her charges back to the school, unobtrusively glancing behind her to see if Fred followed. All seemed quiet, though, so she turned to Tom.

  “Did you see Fred when you were finding your leaves?”

  “Yeah. He went off in the direction of the old mine down the hill. He hides out there sometimes when he wants to get away from Mrs. Decker.” Tom looked over his shoulder. “He’s probably just waiting for you to ring the bell that school’s out for the day before wandering home.”

  “Most likely.”

  Upon returning to the classroom, Alex found someone erased the note she’d written on the blackboard. Absently, she wondered what other mischief Fred had been about before he joined them. At least it was too cold for snakes to be readily available for leaving in her desk drawer.

  The children spread out their leaves on the floor in front of her desk. They talked about the different shapes, colors, and sizes.

  “Which one is the prettiest, Miss Alex?” Anna eagerly asked, hoping the teacher would choose her dark red leaf.

  “I can’t decide, so I guess you all get a prize.”

  Alex opened her desk drawer to take out a bag of candy she purchased that morning at the mercantile. In place of the candy, she discovered slimy mud oozing with worms.

  A slight gasp escaped her before she slammed the drawer shut and regained her composure.

  “Silly me. I left your treat at my house. I’ll be right back.”

  She hurried down the steps of the schoolhouse to her tiny home. Unlocking the door, she grabbed a tin of cookies she made the previous evening. She’d baked a big batch, planning to share them with Arlan and take the rest to Blake and Ginny.

  When she returned to the schoolroom, she found Tom and Ralph cleaning the mess out of her drawer.

  “Who would like a cookie?”

  After passing them around to the children and dismissing class for the day, she thanked the two boys for their help.

  “He’s just gonna get worse, Miss Alex. Fred thinks you can’t do anything to discipline him because of his ma.” Tom accepted the second helping of cookies she offered him and Ralph.

  “Fred’s still hopping mad about you dumping water on him.” Ralph tried not to laugh as he recalled how funny it had been to watch the ornery boy get a face full of water.

  “That shall haunt me for a long time to come, no doubt. I do appreciate you boys being so helpful. Enjoy your evening and I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  Tom and Ralph picked up their lunch pails and left, leaving Alex alone in the classroom. She cleaned the chalkboard then sat down at her desk with a stack of blank note cards.

  Neatly dipping her pen in the inkwell, she began copying the children’s autumn essays onto the cards and writing their names on each one.

  When she got to Tom’s, she made two copies of his - one for him and one she wanted to keep. On a piece of paper, she wrote the boy an encouraging note and sealed it in an envelope along with the note card.

  Finished with that, she planned the next day’s lessons and gathered her things to return to her house. As she turned to leave, the door opened and Fred sauntered inside, swinging the bag of gumdrops she’d purchased for all the children to enjoy.

  “Hey, teacher, did you lose your candy?” Fred taunted as he dropped the bag on her desk and opened it, helping himself to several pieces.

  “As a matter of fact, I didn’t. Some cowardly lunkhead took it out of my desk. Thank you for the worms, by the way.”

  Fred glared at her and leaned against her desk. “I saw Tom and Ralph cleanin’ out your drawer for you. Too bad you’ve got those boys whipped, but I’m smarter than them. I’m smarter than you, too. My ma says you’re a witch and I’m inclined to believe her.”

  Alex bit her tongue to keep from saying something she’d later regret.

  “You’re entitled to your opinions, but the school is closed for the evening. Unless you’d like me to give you an assignment, I suggest you go home.” Alex opened the door and waited for Fred to leave.

  Defiantly, he continued to rest against her desk. “Nope. I’m not in the mood to leave. Think I’ll stay right here for a while.”

  With her patience worn thin, Alex marched back to Fred then pointed to the door. “I’m not asking you again. Go home, Fred. School is closed, you need to leave.”

  He leaned forward until his face was just inches from hers. “Make me.”

  She dropped her things and started to grab his arm, but he reached out and bent her hands behind her back, pulling her against him.

  “You want to kiss me, teacher. You’ve wanted to since the first day you come to our class. I know you’ve taken a shine to me.”

  Alex turned her head away, trying to decide how much trouble she’d be in if she broke Fred’s hand. While she debated how much damage to inflict, the boy pressed against her and trailed slobbery lips across her neck.

  She struggled to twist away from him as he grabbed a handful of her hair and started to yank. As she raised her foot to kick him, he suddenly released his hold.

  Her eyes widened in astonishment as Arlan dragged Fred toward the door with a hand around the back of the boy’s neck.

  Furious, he tossed Fred down the steps. “You better get yourself home, boy, because you’re in more trouble than you realize.”

  Fred sneered at Arlan as he got to his feet then took off running.

  Rattled, Alex bent to gather her things and felt Arlan’s presence beside her. The warmth of his hand on her back unsettled her as she stood and walked to the door.

  “Alex? Are you hurt? Did Fred hurt you?” Gently, Arlan took her hand in his, drawing her to a stop.

  “I’m fine, Arlan. Thank you.” Alex stepped outside and waited for Arlan to leave the building before locking the door.

  “Alex?” Worried she was in shock, he debated taking her to see Doc as she rushed down the steps.

  Briskly marching to her house, she deposited her things inside, slipped on her coat and grabbed her gloves before walking back outside with Arlan trailing her every step.

  “Alex? Alex! Where are you going?”

  Despite his long legs, Arlan had to step lively to keep up with her. “Please, Alex. You have to tell Luke what happened and it would be a good idea to report it to the sheriff as well.”

  Distracted, she stopped and stared at him. “No, it’s fine. I’m fine. I just need some air, Arlan.”

  “I don’t think you’re fine at all.” Easily seeing through her bravado, Arlan could tell the encounter with Fred disturbed her far more than she cared to admit. Any woman would be frightened and upset. Although Fred was sixteen, he was as tall as most men and had a broad set of shoulders even if he didn’t use his head. “At least talk to Luke. The school board needs to know what happened.”

  Reluctantly, she nodded her head and released a sigh. “I’ll speak with Luke, but that’s it.”

  “I’ll accompany you to Granger House.”

  Alex didn’t protest when he took her arm and looped it around his, escorting her down the street to Luke and Filly’s home.

  Silent as they walked around to the kitchen door, Arlan knocked sharply then dropped his hand to ruffle Bart’s fur. The dog leaned against him and wagged his tail until Luke opened the door, surprised to see Arlan and Alex on the back step.

  With a welcoming smile, he opened the door wide. “Come in, we’re just sitting down to supper. Have you eaten?”

  “No, Luke. I didn’t even think about interrupting your meal. Perhaps we can return later.” Arlan glanced down at Alex as she stood beside him
.

  “Don’t be silly. Of course you’ll both stay.” Filly jumped up from her seat and retrieved two place settings, adding them to the table as they walked inside.

  Arlan held Alex’s coat while she slipped it off and stuffed her gloves into the pockets. He hung it on one of the pegs by the back door then removed his own coat and hat and left them there.

  With a hand placed to the small of Alex’s back, he guided her to the sink so she could wash her hands. She scrubbed them without saying a word then took a seat in the chair Luke held out for her after he’d seated Filly.

  Aware something was wrong, Luke decided to wait for Alex or Arlan to broach the topic.

  He gave Filly a look that let her know she should carry on a normal conversation. She and Arlan discussed articles they’d read in the latest issue of the newspaper and Luke mentioned a drawing Ginny made of a pumpkin patch outside town that the publisher included in the newspaper. Since Ginny worked at the paper before she wed Blake, she continued to do so part-time because she enjoyed writing articles and creating sketches.

  After finishing his chicken and dumplings, Arlan took a bracing drink of the black coffee Filly offered him and studied Alex, waiting for her to explain what transpired. She’d remained oddly quiet throughout the meal.

  Filly and Luke’s concerned glances toward her multiplied his own worry with each moment she failed to speak.

  Unsuccessful in his efforts to hold his tongue any longer, he turned to Luke. “Fred attacked Alex after class today. I tried to get her to report it to the sheriff but she refused, so I brought her here.”

  “What?” Luke thundered, waking Maura and making her cry. Filly rushed to lift the baby from her cradle and took her to the parlor. When she left the room, Luke glanced from Arlan to Alex. “One of you better tell me what happened.”

  Arlan nudged Alex with his elbow but she continued staring at the hands she held knotted on her lap.

  Finally clearing her throat, she raised her gaze to Luke’s. “I took the children outside to study leaves this afternoon. Fred didn’t want to go along, or so he said. When I returned with the students to the classroom, someone had erased a note I’d written on the blackboard, stolen a bag of gumdrops I planned to give the children from my desk drawer, and left slimy mud and worms in place of the candy. Tom and Ralph cleaned the drawer while I ran over to my house to get the children some cookies since I promised them a treat.”

  Alex again grew quiet and Luke had all he could do to wait patiently for her to continue. “Then what happened?”

  “After dismissing the students for the day, I cleaned the classroom, graded assignments, and was just ready to leave when Fred walked inside with the gumdrops. He made some comments meant to annoy me and I asked him to leave. When he refused, I walked over to him and pointed to the door, insisting he leave. I started to grab his arm to walk him out and that’s when he tried… to, um…”

  “He had his slobbery lips all over her neck with her arms pinned behind her back, Luke. If I hadn’t arrived in such a fortuitous manner, there’s no telling what would have happened.” Arlan got to his feet and paced across the kitchen, agitated all over again. He’d wanted to punch Fred in the face. It had taken great control on his part not to pummel the boy when he tossed him out of the school.

  “Is that right, Alex? He pinned your arms and tried to kiss you?” Luke asked, wanting to hear the story from her.

  “Yes.” Alex could still feel Fred’s lips, sticky from the candy he’d eaten, on her skin. It made her flesh crawl.

  Luke got to his feet and grabbed his hat and coat then handed Arlan his. “Arlan, would you mind coming with me. There are a few people I need to speak with about this.”

  Alex stood and walked around the table. “Please, Luke. I don’t want to cause trouble in town. I’ll only be here until Christmas and you all live here. It’s not worth upsetting everyone over.”

  “I don’t care if you were in town for only one day, Fred is old enough to be held accountable for his actions. It’s not acceptable for him to behave like a ruffian. If his mother won’t stop him, then someone else will have to take care of the matter.”

  As Luke opened the door, Alex stepped in front of him and Arlan. “I could have hurt him, Luke. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time and I could have injured him. If Arlan hadn’t arrived when he had, I might have harmed that boy.”

  Incredulous that Alex somehow felt guilty for wanting to hurt Fred, Arlan placed a hand on her shoulder. “Alex, anyone in your place would have wanted to hurt Fred. And he’s not a boy, he’s as big as a man.”

  “Perhaps I should resign and leave.” Alex turned away from the men and started to grab her coat. Luke took it out of her hands and closed the back door.

  “You’re not leaving. You’re the best teacher those kids have ever had and I’m not letting one uncontrollable bully ruin that for the rest of the students. Stay and keep Filly company until we get back.” Luke walked her to the parlor where Filly sat in a rocking chair by the fire with the baby.

  “Filly, darlin’, Arlan and I need to see to a matter that requires our immediate attention. Alex is going to stay with you until we get back.”

  “Wonderful. I haven’t had the opportunity to visit with you for a while, Alex. Come sit here by the fire and we’ll catch up on all the news.”

  Luke hurried Arlan out the door while Filly drew Alex into a friendly conversation.

  “Good grief, man, why didn’t you say something when you first arrived at the house?” Luke asked as he and Arlan hustled down the boardwalk toward the sheriff’s office.

  “I was waiting for Alex to speak up, but finally decided she must be in shock. She’s been acting strange ever since it happened. What do you suppose she meant when she said she could have injured Fred? Do you think she meant she wanted to harm him or she really could have hurt him?” Arlan couldn’t picture Alex intentionally injuring anyone. She was too tenderhearted to think of doing such things.

  “I don’t know and right now I don’t care. We’ve got a big problem with Fred that needs resolved straight away.” Luke glanced at Arlan before he opened the sheriff’s door. “Do you want to get involved with this? If not, you can go home and I’ll handle it.”

  Arlan frowned at Luke in the light provided from the gas street lamps. “I’m already involved. Besides, I’m the one who tossed Fred out of the school. I’m sure Mrs. Decker has concocted some tale of how I’ve abused him by now.”

  “Quite likely.”

  Luke and Arlan caught the sheriff on his way out the door. Returning inside his office, they quickly relayed Alex’s story. The man’s jaw tightened and he thumped the fingers of his right hand on his desk while he considered the best course of action.

  “For the time being, I’m ordering Fred to stay away from the school. My daughter said all he does is pick on the younger kids and stir up trouble, anyway.” The sheriff got to his feet and ambled toward the door. “I believe a visit to the Decker house is in order.”

  “Do you want us to go with you?” Luke asked.

  “Nah. It’s likely to set Mrs. Decker into an even bigger fizz if the two of you go along.” The sheriff opened the door and followed Luke and Arlan outside. “Go on home and if I need you for anything, I know where to find you. Thanks for bringing this to my attention and tell Miss Alex not to worry. We’ll keep her safe.”

  “Would you like to hold Maura?” Filly rose from the chair with the baby cuddled close to her chest, smiling kindly at Alex.

  “I’d like that very much.” Alex settled into the beautifully carved rocking chair by the fire and held out her arms. Filly carefully handed her beloved daughter into Alex’s keeping and took a seat across from her in a side chair.

  Alex stared down at the baby’s head covered in strawberry blonde hair. The feathery ends held a hint of curl. She could picture the little girl looking like a combination of her parents with lighter colored hair like Luke, but a tendency to curl lik
e Filly’s. She wondered if the child would have her father’s pale blue eyes or her mother’s bright green ones.

  A dimple, like the one in Luke’s chin, already marked the baby’s chin, but her cheeks and lips resembled Filly’s.

  As she bent closer to the baby, Alex breathed deeply of her sweet scent and closed her eyes. When she lifted her gaze, she noticed Filly studying her.

  “She’s the sweetest baby I think I’ve ever seen.”

  Proudly beaming, Filly grinned. “You might not think so when it’s two in the morning and she’s screaming her head off, letting us know she’s hungry and wants her diaper changed.”

  “Does Luke sleep through it or help you?” Alex watched the baby’s eyelashes flutter as she drifted back to sleep.

  Filly relaxed against the back of her chair with a contented look on her face. “He’d hate for anyone to know, but he’s completely besotted with our little Maura. The slightest whimper from her wakes him up and he begins fussing, worrying she might be ill. We’ve been fortunate that she’s been so healthy, but I dread when she gets her first cold or fever. I fear Luke will be harder to handle than the baby.”

  Alex laughed and some of the tension left her shoulders. Filly leaned forward and placed a gentle hand on her arm.

  “Did something happen today, Alex? You seemed not at all like yourself when you arrived.”

  Wearily nodding her head, Alex swallowed twice before she could speak. “I had a little problem with Fred today.”

  Filly raised an eyebrow and listened as Alex told about Fred trying to kiss her.

  “My gracious!” Filly’s eyes were wide while anger colored her cheeks a deep shade of pink. “I’ve been telling Luke something has to be done with him before he hurts someone or does something terrible. Aleta Bruner said he behaved belligerently to her in the store the other day and Mrs. Ferguson said he kicked her cat when he walked by the boardinghouse yesterday. Are you sure you’re unhurt?”

  “I’ll probably have a few bruises, that’s all.”

  “Bruises?” Filly got to her feet and took the sleeping baby from Alex, setting her in a cradle. She returned and lifted one of the woman’s hands in her own. Pushing up the sleeve of Alex’s dress, Filly could see where Fred’s fingers left bruises on her arm.