Chapter 12
"Sara Curtis, didn't I ask you to give that note to your brother?" Ms. Martin was using her teacher voice with Sara. Sara didn't know how to respond. Sara just shook her head up and down. "How am I supposed to know what to do with you today?" Ms. Martin was asking Sara. Since Sara didn't give Darry the note she had no idea what Ms. Martin was talking about. Ms. Martin just let out a big sigh. "Oh, well. We will continue with the plan and if your brother Darrel has a problem with it then we will deal with it tomorrow. You will give him the note tonight, right, Sara?" Ms. Martin was urging for an answer from Sara.
"Yes, Ms. Martin." Sara was fidgeting with that same string hanging from her skirt that she was fidgeting with when Darry was talking with her earlier this morning.
"Good, I am glad to hear it. You can take your sit now." Ms. Martin pointed to Sara's desk. "O.k. class as you all know, Mother's Day is coming up. So today we are going to start class with making a special gift for all your Mom's." Sara started feeling numb all over. Is this what Ms. Martin wrote to Darry last night? Oh, how she wished that she had remembered to give it to him last night. But with everything that happen it slipped her mind. All Sara could think was this was going to be terrible. She didn't want to be partaking in any of this. But Sara was known for being a good student so she couldn't just protest this project. She needed to come up with a good excuse. She sat at her desk with her head in her hands trying to think of something good that would get her out of this. She first thought, I could go use the bathroom. It would have to be a long bathroom break though. Nah, that probably won't work. Second thought, pretend to be sick. Nope, they would probably send her right back when they figured out she didn't have a fever or anything. And plus she didn't want to take that chance that they just might send her home, and Darry wouldn't be happy about that. Third thought was she could fake an injury or something. Sara's thoughts were interrupted by Ms. Martin's voice again. "James, Kayla, Mark? Can you please help pass out the supplies?" Ms. Martin asked for her helpesr to come to the front of the class. Kayla was the first student to come by and placed two pieced of paper on Sara's desk. One piece was pink and the other was white. Soon after Kayla moved onto the next student, Ms. Martin was coming by Sara's desk and swiftly removed the pink piece of paper and replaced it with a blue piece of paper. Sara starting glancing over to other students desk's and they all still had a pink and white piece of paper. No one else had a blue and white. James was the next student that came by and was handing everyone yellow flowers. James handed Sara a yellow flower as well. But Ms. Martin moved in and removed the yellow flower and replaced it with a red truck. It was at this point in time Sara started wondering what was going on. Than Mark came by with a cut out sign that read, " Happy Mother's Day." Sara had just enough time to read it when Ms. Martin appeared at her desk again. She smoothly replaced the "Happy Mother's Day sign with a different sign. Once Ms. Martin walked away from Sara's desk she looked down to see what her new sign read. "Happy Brother's Day." What? Sara didn't understand. There was no such thing as Happy Brother's Day. This was just silly Sara thought. Darry would think this was just ridiculous. Sara had decided right then and there that she was not going to embarrass herself with her brothers by making this card. Sara did not want any part of this. She didn't want any part of Happy Mother's Day or Happy Brother's day. NO, NO, NO! Before Sara realized it she was saying those actual words out loud so her peers and Ms. Martin could hear.
"NO! NO! NO!" Sara's voice had rose above the rest of the noise in the class by this time.
"Sara, what is it Dear?" Ms. Martin was scooting down beside Sara.
"This! I can't do this!" Sara stuttered out. Ms. Martin looked at the materials that were all laid out on Sara's desk.
"Sara, I am sure you can do this. Your brothers will love it. Plus you're not being left out of today's activity." Ms. Martin tried to reassure Sara. Ms. Martin could tell by the expression on Sara's face that Sara was becoming frustrated. Ms. Martin wanted to try to comfort Sara so she started rubbing Sara's upper arm. But Sara's arms were still sore from yesterday and when Ms. Martin continued to rub, Sara flinched away from Ms. Martin. This was puzzling to Ms. Martin. "Sara, what is wrong? Did I hurt you? Is there something the matter with your arm, Dear?"
"No! I am fine." Sara said pulling at her sleeve to make sure that Ms. Martin could not see any evidence that there was something wrong. Ms. Martin was pretty intuitive to things though.
"Well, Dear, if everything is fine than you won't mind me taking a look myself?" This made Sara inch even further away from Ms. Martin.
"No!" Sara shouted. "No, I am fine. It's o.k." Sara was starting to make a scene in the classroom now, which was convincing Ms. Martin, that things were not fine.
"Sara, would you please stand up and come with me." Ms. Martin put her hand under Sara's elbow to assist her up from her desk. Both Ms. Martin and Sara walked to the back of the classroom by the coat room. "Sara, is there something you want to tell me, or show me? You know you are not in trouble if you do." Now that Sara was standing she focused on that damn string that was still hanging from the bottom of her skirt. She started wrapping it around her index finger. Ms. Martin noticed this fidget and slowly placed her hand over Sara's to get her to stop. While her other hand was on Sara's, Ms. Martin's free hand started to push her sleeve up of her shirt. As Ms. Martin started to push the sleeve up Sara's eyes followed Ms. Martin's hand. Sara went into panic mood. She didn't know what to do. One thing she did know what no matter what Ms. Martin found on Sara's arms it probably wasn't going to be good. She could not tell Ms. Martin what really happened for she feared that the school would notify Social Services. And after hearing many lectures from Darry, this could mean that Social Services would take her away from her brothers. This could not happen. Sara needed to react and fast. But by the time Sara realized she needed to react and stop Ms. Martin, it was too late. Ms. Martin had already rolled the sleeve up to where the bruises were visible. She heard Ms. Martin let out a gasp. "Sara, how did this happen? Who did this to you?" Sara could not respond to these questions. She knew if she did, it would make everything just worse. Sara decided right then that she wasn't going to talk. Once Ms. Martin knew that Sara was not going to respond she looked over at the rest of the class that was starting to get out of control. "Sara, stay here." Ms. Martin walked out to her class. "Class, everyone take their seats now. We are all going to get started on our Mother's Day cards. The first thing you will be doing is taking your pink piece of paper and gluing your yellow flower on the front of the paper, like this." Ms. Martin did a quick demonstration for the class. "Once you have that done, you will glue the Happy Mother's Day sign onto the white piece of paper. Now please begin." With that said Ms. Martin snuck out the classroom door. Not a split second later she returned back to the class but had another teacher with her. Sara knew it was the teacher from next door, Mrs. Seymour who taught first grade. Ms. Martin spoke to Mrs. Seymour in a low tone. Mrs. Seymour was soon giving directions to the class and Ms. Martin was coming back for Sara. "Sara, we are going for a little walk." Again Ms. Martin took Sara's elbow to help usher her out the door and down the hall. Once out in the hall Ms. Martin looked down at Sara. "Sara, honey, we are going to see Mrs. Timmons our school nurse."
"No! Ms. Martin, please? I'm fine, honestly. It doesn't hurt or anything. I will go back and be good. I promise. I will even do the card. But please do not bring me to the nurse." Sara was begging.
"Oh, Sara this has nothing to do with you being good, Dear. I just feel that Mrs. Timmons should be the judge of you being alright." Ms. Martin moved her hand from Sara's elbow down for her hand, just in case Sara decided to bolt away from her. Ms. Martin was practically dragging Sara down the short hallway to the nurse's office. The whole way there Sara just kept thinking what is Darry going to say? Ms. Martin asked Sara to sit down outside of Mrs. Timmons door. Sara had only been here once before right after her parents' death. Darry had to come pick her up that day because she had the flu. She remembers thinking that was such a horrible day, but something told her that today was probably going to beat that day for sure. While Sara was sitting there she looked out the window. She noticed the dark clouds were starting to roll in with the grey skies, this was a sure sign of rain. Darry had said last night it was going to rain. Sara guessed he was right. The question weighing on her mind was when was Darry ever wrong? But as she continued to look out the window memories of her parents' funeral started flashing before her eyes. It was the same type of day outside as it was now. She remembers feeling so numb that day. As she was remembering faces of people she saw that day, Ms. Martins voice was bring her back to present time. "Sara, please come in here." When Sara drew her attention away from the window and to Ms. Martin, she was motioning for Sara to enter inside the office. Sara slowly got up and entered. Ms. Martin shut the door quietly behind her. Mrs. Timmons was an older lady, probably in her mid-fifties, short and plump with pale blue eyes and graying hair that she wore back in a bun.
"Well, if it isn't Sara Curtis?" Mrs. Timmons spoke to Sara in a soft, sweet voice. Sara had always like Mrs. Timmons she was very pleasant and was always smiling whenever Sara saw her in the halls. "How are you, Dear?" Mrs. Timmons was trying to small talk with Sara. Sara knew what she was trying to do.
"Fine." Sara quickly answered, but wasn't willing to start up a conversation with this lady. Sara was just really repeating Darry's same response that he gave Cathy earlier that morning. Not giving up any more information than necessary.
"Ms. Martin here tells me that there are some bruises that I should take a look at." Sara started backing away from Mrs. Timmons. She had backed up so much that now Sara was up against the door.
"I already told her that I'm fine." Sara hissed towards Mrs. Timmons.
"Well, then you shouldn't mind me looking at them then, Dear." Mrs. Timmins was slowly approaching Sara now needing to get closer.
Sara finally blurted out, "My brothers already looked at them. They already know. They said I'll be fine. So I'm fine! I am."
"So your brothers are aware of this you say?" Mrs. Timmons asked with a look of surprise on her face.
"Yes."
"Then tell me Sara, how did you get these bruises?" Mrs. Timmons was now standing directly in front of Sara reaching for her arm.
Sara had to think fast of her feet." Some guy pushed me out of his way." Mrs. Timmons and Ms. Martin exchanged a glance. At the same time Mrs. Timmons was starting to roll up Sara's sleeve when Sara's hand pushed Mrs. Timmons' hands away.
"Sara, your only making this harder. Just be a good girl and let me see." Sara continued fighingt Mrs. Timmons hands. But the minute Sara heard Mrs. Timmons next sentence she pulled her hands away.
"Ms. Martin maybe you could get the number for Human Services please." Sara was starting to really dislike that word Human Service/ Social Services. Her family always had to follow their rules in order to stay together. They caused a great deal of stress for the Curtis family. Mrs. Timmons cannot be calling them. Sara though that if she starts cooperating with Mrs. Timmons that she might change her mind. Maybe she was just using that as a threat like Darry does with her at home. "Now that is a good girl." Mrs. Timmons had now rolled her sleeve up to the point that she needed to. "Sara are they on both arms?" Sara nod. Mrs. Timmons quickly mad work on the other sleeve. Now Sara had both arms exposed. "Who did this to you Sara?" Mrs. Timmons requested an answer.
"I told you already. Some guy. I don't know his name. He was with a group of boys, Peter Parker." Sara replied.
"Peter Parker?" Mrs. Timmons must have known this boy, because she let out a little chuckle. "You must be mistaken Sara." Then she got up and walked over to her desk. She was making some notes and told Ms. Martin that she could return back to her class. She thank Ms. Martin and Ms. Martin just gave Sara a gentle smile and walked out the door with Mrs. Timmons. "Sara. I'll be right back. Please stay seated." Sara stayed seated but could hear the conversation happening outside the office door.
"What is going to happen now?" Sara heard Ms. Martin ask Mrs. Timmons.
"Someone will be contacting Human Services. This matter needs to be addressed."
"Will you be calling her brother, Darrel? What will happen to Sara?" Ms. Martin asked.
"We will not be calling Darrel that will be up to Human Services. As for Sara, that too will depend on Human Services. If they need to look into this further she will probably be temporarily placed. If, you will excuse me, Ms. Martin we need to get on this. We will keep you posted of the outcome." Sara's couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was thinking of running away before Mrs. Timmons came back, but where would she go? Then her eyes caught the phone that was sitting on Mrs. Timmons desk. Sara moved fast. She rushed to the phone and picked it up and dialed the first number that came to her head. Sara's hand was shaking so, she barely got the number dialed.
"Pick up! Pick up! Please." On the third ring there was a voice that she wanted and needed so badly.
"Hello, DX, How can I help you?"
"Soda!"
"Sara?"
"Soda, I need you to come to school! Hurry." With that said Sara hung up the phone and sat back down and hoped and prayed that Soda would come. As she sat back down in the chair she could help but start playing with that string again from her skirt.
