Author's Note: I should mention I am a teacher and have been a vice-principal. The world is filled with excellent teachers who show tremendous compassion and thoughtful consideration of their students. That being said, I've also worked with some real jerks, who have treated their students with cruelty and their job with an overall attitude of laziness. I needed a "bad guy" in this chapter, so I've modeled Danny's teacher after people that I have had the grave misfortune of working with. I have absolute respect for all hard-working dedicated teachers. :)
***7***
Adam leaned against the doorway, and saw Crane bent over his books at his desk surrounded by a pool of light. Danny sighed quietly in his sleep.
"It's getting kind of late, Crane." Adam said as Crane turned around to look at him.
"I'm almost finished. Brian told me what happened." Crane looked up at Adam. "You gonna talk to him?"
"We are going in tomorrow and meeting with the principal. I'm gonna let Danny stay home. I don't want him going back until we resolve it." He glanced at Crane. "I never had Jacobs. Did you?"
"Yeah, don't you remember? He's the one who handed out all those stupid worksheets. He never even lectured. You'd walk in. He'd hand you a worksheet and then he'd sit at his desk. Ninety-six worksheets. I counted them all. It was such a waste of time."
"That's right! I forgot about that! Dad went in and complained and then you asked if you could test out of the class."
"Yep. I took the mid-term and the final and aced them both, but then he made me do all ninety-six worksheets anyway. It took me two weeks." Crane said with a shake of his head. "I don't want Danny going back to his class, Adam."
"I know. Neither do I." Adam said with a glance at their younger brother. He sighed and rotated his head, stretching the tight muscles of his neck. "But we got to give the school a chance to fix things, okay?"
"I guess." Crane said with a sigh. "But . . ."
"I know. Brian's not the only one with a temper, Crane. If need be, I will make sure he gets switched out, okay?"
"Yeah." Crane said turning back to his homework.
"Lights out in thirty." Adam said pausing just long enough to plant a kiss on Danny's forehead before turning to leave the room.
"Yes, Dad." Crane said mischievously.
"Don't call me Dad." Adam said as he disappeared down the stairs.
***7***
"Bottoms up." Brian said lifting his glass again.
"Nah, one's good for me." Adam said sighing.
"Lightweight." Brian said downing his second shot of whiskey. He reached for the bottle but Adam was faster, and he tightened the lid, and standing put it back on the top shelf where they kept it tucked away.
"Listen, Mom . . ." Brian began.
"Shut up, Bri." Adam said. "Did you make sure that fix on that gate held? I didn't get a chance. I don't want those ewes getting loose again."
"No. I'll go check." Brian said irritated and went out the back door.
Adam glanced around the kitchen which was sort of clean. He generally tried to overlook the piles that seemed to accumulate everywhere. In the first days, after their parents' deaths, women from town came and cooked and cleaned every other day. Over time, though, as they got their feet back under them, they were left to their own devices. It turned out that none of them were that great at keeping the house organized. He threw yet another load of dirty jeans into the washer, and taking a basket to the front room started folding the ones he'd pulled out of the dryer.
If only . . .
It was only at night that he had time enough to brood and reflect on all that was lost. It was only at night that he felt alone and depressed. During the day, he had no time for anything except the ranch and his brothers. He never went out. He never dated anymore. He never even went into to town unless it was ranch business, picking the boys up from school or church. Most of the time, he was fine, but at night with a pile of work behind him, and a new pile looming for the next day, he felt depressed and longed for someone else to bear the burden of being responsible for six boys and a cattle ranch.
He glanced up and saw the last family photo they'd taken hanging on the wall. Everyone was smiling which his mother had declared a miracle; even little Guthrie grinned at the camera. Looking at it now, though, pained him. It felt like everyone was glaring down at him. He rose and stood inches from it, staring into his father's eyes.
He felt a sudden wave of anger wash over him. He fought the urge to pull the photo down off the wall, and smash it to bits. He reached out and held the sides of the frame in his hands, gripping so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
"Hey." Brian said stepping into the room.
Adam dropped his hands embarrassed. He stepped away and went back to the laundry.
"You okay man?" Brian asked.
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" Adam's tone was sarcastic.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe sick and tired of how things have played out?" Brian kept his voice even.
"Nah. I got six people depending on me, a ranch to run, and a never-ending pile of laundry. What more could I want?"
"A girl or three?" Brian grinned.
"Like I got time for that!" Adam said shaking his head.
"Hey, Adam . . ." Brian began. "You are right between Crane falling apart, and Danny being tormented by his teacher, today was pretty crappy all around. You are doing really well. Look at how you managed Danny? You didn't yell or scream, like I did. He fell asleep in your arms; safe. Don't . . ."
"I don't know if I can . . .You're right. It was just a bad day. Don't pay any attention to me." Sighing he lifted the basket and headed upstairs to put the laundry away, making sure his eyes never once rested on the family portrait; some memories were just too painful. Brian thoughtfully watched him leaving, trying to ignore a gnawing sense of worry.
***7***
Adam and Brian sat across from Mr. Fitzgerald and waited for his reaction. Glancing at Brian, Adam could tell he was already just on the edge of fury. He shot him a look, hoping it would be enough to keep his fiery brother's temper in check.
"I first of all want to apologize for what happened to Daniel yesterday. I had no idea that any of this had transpired. I know that both you and I have worked hard to make sure that Danny feels comfortable and safe here at school, and I hope that we can come to a quick resolution so that we don't lose any ground that we gained." Mr. Fitzgerald said seriously.
"Good," Thought Adam. "Maybe Brian will calm down. He's clearly taking this pretty seriously."
"We appreciate that. I understand that this school would never sanction, a student being caused anguish. I am hoping that it is just a misunderstanding, and that for whatever reason, Mr. Jacobs didn't think it all the way through." Adam said.
"I agree." Mr. Fitzgerald said. "It is no excuse, however, but people do make mistakes. I am confident that once I point out to him the painful result of this particular choice of a novel, he will certainly understand the reason for Danny's leaving class. I will mark the absence excused of course, for both yesterday and today. I will call you this afternoon, after I speak with Mr. Jacobs."
"I would appreciate that." Adam said.
"Would you be able to come back and meet with him late this afternoon, if need be?"
"Yes, of course." Adam said rising. "I really appreciate that you took this so seriously. We were afraid that the school would feel we were overreacting. I don't expect the school to alter the curriculum for every single McFadden that comes along, but Danny is . . ."
"Daniel is delicate. His wounds are still raw, and his teachers understand that. I understand that, and I promise you that by the end of today, Mr. Jacobs will understand that too. Thank you for your patience." He shook Adam's hand and turned to Brian. "I suppose I ought to thank you for keeping your temper in check, Brian." He smiled at Brian who grinned sheepishly.
"Well, it wasn't easy." Brian said. "Thanks, Mr. Fitzgerald. We know you care about the boys. It's just hard sometimes. They've all been wounded enough. We want to protect them from further harm."
"The whole town does." Fitzgerald agreed. "I played football with your Dad. He was a good man. You would know better than me, but I imagine, he'd be really proud of the two of you."
Adam ducked his head embarrassed. He usually hated when people would tell him how they thought his parents felt or would feel about things, but Mr. Fitzgerald knew their father. He was a reasonable man, who clearly took his job of caring for his students seriously. He was struck with a sudden memory.
"I remember when you got promoted. Mom read it in the paper and told Dad about it, and he said he thought you'd be really good at it. He told her, you were a steady and compassionate person." Adam said.
"I . . .well . . .thanks." Mr. Fitzgerald said surprised by Adam's praise. "You're Dad was someone I looked up to. I still do."
"Us too." Brian said and shaking Fitzgerald's hand one more time, they stepped out of the office and into the bright morning sunlight.
"Satisfied?" Adam asked turning to his brother.
"We'll see what Jacobs has to say." Brian said skeptically. "I'm telling you Adam. Fitzgerald is a good man, but Jacobs, he's a prick."
"I'm not arguing with you." Adam said glancing around Main Street. "Come on, lets go by the cafe. Maybe there's a waitress there whose heart you haven't broken yet."
"I doubt it." Brian said.
They strode into the cafe together. It was empty. All the early morning patrons were long gone, and it was too early for the lunch crowd yet.
"Hello boys!" Marie said. "I was just starting to get lonesome. Don't look so nervous, Brian. Sheree isn't working this morning."
"She still mad?" He asked tentatively.
"Oh, yeah." Marie said leading them over to a table. "What can I do for you?"
"Is it too early for pie?" Brian asked.
"Never." Marie said. "Apple?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"What about you?" She turned to Adam.
"Just coffee, I guess. Hey, Marie thanks for feeding Crane up yesterday."
Marie just turned with a wave of her hand, and returned with a giant slice of pie for Brian and another for Adam.
"Eat up fellas. I need to make room for some new pies coming out of the oven, so you're doing me a favor." She winked at Adam. "You tell Crane to stop in anytime he's hungry."
"Careful Marie, he's hungry every minute of every day." Brian said laughing. "You might have him parked out here permanently."
"There are worse things that could happen. 'Sides, my waitresses never run from the room crying when he comes around." She gave Brian a wry smile and disappeared to the back.
"Nice going there, Brian." Adam said taking a bite of pie.
"Ah, well. I've run out of girls here anyway. She needs a new waitress; a beautiful stranger. She should be French and looking for a handsome cowboy."
"What girl would be crazy enough to move to this tiny town?" Adam said with a laugh. "Nice dream - you step into the cafe and see a beautiful new girl - a stranger to the town, and she turns to you and it is true love - forever!"
"Who said anything about true love?" Brian's eyebrows raised mischievously.