Chapter # 7: Teacher Conference

NA: Happy Valentine's Day everyone. I wish this was how it really worked out for me in school. Be sure to check out my other stories please. I have new ones up.

Darry met with Ponyboy's Math teacher, Mrs. Davis, that Tuesday, and to his surprise the principal, Mr. White, was present.

"Nice to see you again, Darrel," said Mr. White. The men shook hands. "I decided to join the two of you at the conference today. I know you were one of our top leading students when you were here, and from what I've gathered, Ponyboy's pretty much the same.

The woman sitting next to him introduced herself.

"Let me get right to the point," Mrs. Davis insisted. "Over the past view weeks Ponyboy has become increasingly problematic. He has had numerous complaints about the other students. They are all straight 'A' students with the highest achieving honors, and I think it has come time to put an end to Ponyboy blaming them for his poor performance," Mrs. Davis informed them coldly.

"As a matter of fact, Ponyboy has talked…" Darry began, but was cut short by Mrs. Davis.

"I teach only the smartest group of kids in the school, and despite his meager appearance I expect him to do excellent work as the other students do. Knowing my students the way I do I figured it must be a home problem."

Darry struggled to keep himself in check. He felt that the teacher had no rite to insult his family, but luckily, Mr. White decided to take it from there.

"His track coach has nothing but high praises for him. His Art and English teachers do too. Mrs. Davis has given me a copy of Ponyboy's most recent progress, and I must say that it baffles me. He's always done fine, and then it's as if overnight everything changes.

"Now, I don't make a habit of sticking my nose where it doesn't belong, but this is not the norm we find in our students. Have you talked to Ponyboy? Is there something going on at home? What is his usual routine?"

Mr. White fired question after question which Darry tried his best to answer without reviling too much of their home situation.

"Ponyboy knows that when he gets home he's expected to do his homework and chores first thing," Darry said.

"How does he get home," Mr. White asked. "Do you pick him up, or does Sodapop?"

"I usually pick him up if he stays after for track practice or something like that. I'm off work by then."

Darry noticed how Mr. White appeared to be listening attentively, while Mrs. Davis just scowled.

"Otherwise, he gets a ride with Steve or Two-Bit," Darry continued.

"They're students here," Mr. White questioned.

"Yes," Darry replied.

Mr. White shuffled through a stack of papers that were laid out in front of him.

"What are their relations to Ponyboy?"

"Steve works at the DX with Sodapop, and I'm not sure what to tell you about Two-Bit. He just hangs around," Darry said.

"Well, everyone's heard about that hood," Mrs. Davis scuffed. "I can't believe he's been allowed to stay in school at his age. What is he now, twenty?"

"Eighteen," said Darry.

"Mrs. Davis, the current situations and ages of the students here are not your concern. I'd appreciate if you kept your business to those in your classes only," Mr. White suggested to her firmly.

"If anything happens with Ponyboy, Two-Bit's my eyes and ears. He knows how to reach me or Sodapop if it's urgent," Darry said.

"I didn't know that Sodapop was already eighteen," Mr. White expressed his surprise.

"He's not. He's sixteen, but he'll be able to get in touch with me wherever I am. Not everybody can, so that's when they contact him," Darry explained.

"Did you ever hear of anything that might be causing him some trouble in school," Mr. White promoted.

"I don't think that's important," Mrs. Davis interjected once again. "We do not do this for our other students."

"Yes we have Mrs. Davis, and I think you kindly to let me be the principal." Mr. White's deep voice boomed.

He motioned for Darry to continue. Darry relayed everything that had happened to him in Mrs. Davis class that Ponyboy had told him. Darry mentioned how they had corrected all his work, and that he usually checked over all over Ponyboy's homework before he turned it in anyway.

As Darry talked, trying his best to act like an authoritative figure, the deep from on Mr. White's face began to increase more and more. At the same time, Darry couldn't be exactly sure, but he thought he saw fear and protest flash over and over in Mrs. Davis eyes.

Finally, Mr. White cleared his throat and began to speak. "This is highly unusual, but I would like to place Ponyboy in another class for the remaining year. I understand that you may have some concerns there considering that midterms are almost here, but I think it might help solve the tangled dispute.

"I have always found you to be a man of your word Darrel Curtis, even when facing troubling consequences. Therefore, I think Ponyboy should do better in Mr. Lawman's class. It is also for smart students, as that is the only kind of students we teach at this school Mrs. Davis. Let us please speak in my office after the conference."

The two men stood up and shook hands.

"Is this arrangement fine with you," Mr. White asked Darry.

"Yes, thank you sir. I'll tell Ponyboy as soon as he gets home tonight."

"I was very sorry to hear about your folks, but I want to assure you that you're doing a fine job with both of your brothers."

Darry beamed. It was a great complement coming from a man who had grown up on the wrong side of the tracks with his father.