Chapter 28:
"Well the meeting with Daniel was not nearly as informative as I hoped," Mr. Lancer informed the others. "I was able to disprove all our current theories. Danny was horrified and disgusted at the mentions of abuse, gangs, and drugs so I know they aren't the cause of his behavior."
"I could have told you that," Mrs. Fetcher said. "It's what I've been saying all along."
"Then do we know what is?" Mrs. Cygert asked, concerned for Danny.
"No," Mr. Lancer sighed, sinking down into a chair. "Danny did admit Mr. Baxter was bullying him, but I got the feeling he was hiding something bigger going on."
"It sounds like we're back to square one," Mr. Smith concluded, tapping his cup.
"Not completely," Mr. Fulluka said, adjusting his glasses. "We now have several disproved hypothesis. That's more than we knew before and we'll be able to formulate new theories."
"But those were the ideas that made the most sense," Mrs. Cassie said. "I don't know any other troubling things Daniel could have gotten himself into."
"Let's be honest to each other, though," Mr. Smith cut in, gesturing to everyone with his mug. "None of us really believed any of those theories and we were just saying them because it's all we've really dealt with before. If we truly did think Danny was having problems with drugs or gangs we would have taken more direct actions by now."
"That's true," Mrs. Cygert agreed along with several other teachers. "We were just trying to apply past experiences to this situation, but none of it fits. It just shows how completely in the dark we are about what's really going on with Danny."
"Have you ever considered that he might now be doing a bad thing?" Mrs. Fletcher thought out loud, absent-mindedly tapping her sketchbook with her pencil. "Maybe he's actually doing something good and important. Something he truly feels is more important than school…"
The other teachers stared at Mrs. Fletcher for a moment before they burst into laughter.
"I think you're reaching a bit far on that one," Mr. Smith laughed, holding his stomach.
"Like a teenager would be doing something that important," Mr. Rainer chuckled.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Fletcher," Mrs. Cygert giggled as she flashed Mrs. Fletcher an apologetic smile. "I know Danny is a good kid, but it is pretty ridiculous.''
"And what could possibly be so important that he could cause so many problems for himself in school and hurt his education?" Mrs. Cassie added, gesturing with her mug.
"I don't know," Mrs. Fletcher admitted, blushing slightly. "I know the theory is pretty far out there, but it seemed like something that would fit his personality more than the other theories."
"We're lacking too much information," Mr. Fulluka decided as the laughter finally died down. "We need to get more information from other sources."
"But who?" Mr. Lancer wondered. "He's parents don't know anything when I talk to them and obviously talking to Daniel himself is useless. Who else is there to ask?"
"What about Jazz?" Mrs. Cassie suggested. "She's a bright girl and would be willing to tell us if something was wrong."
"That's just it, though if Jazz knew anything she would tell us," Mrs. Cygert reasoned. "So she must not know anything."
"What about Sam and Tucker?" Mr. Smith suggested. "They're his friends and they're always hanging around him."
"That's a great idea," Mr. Lancer smiled thoughtfully. "I'll set up a meeting with them right away."
"Actually," Mrs. Cygert began, rubbing her nose in thought. "I think Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Rainer should be the ones to meet with them."
"What? Why?" Mr. Rainer protested, immediately looking up from his computer and glaring at Mrs. Cygert. "I don't want to get that involved in this."
"I'm curious why you suggested us as well," Mr. Wolfe said, closing his book. "Neither of us has Danny as our student so we don't know him very well."
"But you teach Sam and get along with her pretty well," Mrs. Cygert explained. "The same goes for Mr. Rainer and Tucker. And because you don't know Danny personally, you will have a more objective view. That might be enough for them to open up to you."
"Sounds logical," Mr. Wolfe nodded. "I'll set up a meeting with Sam then."
"Fine," Mr. Rainer rolled his eyes. "I'll meet with Tucker then. He's one of the only students I can tolerate anyway."
(Time Skip with Mr. Wolfe)
Mr. Wolfe was putting books away when he heard the door open. He turned and saw Sam Manson come in.
"Hi Mr. Wolfe," She greeted, setting her bag down. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes Sam," Mr. Wolfe nodded, putting the rest of the books away and sitting at his desk. "There have been some concerns around here lately and I was hoping you could provide some new insight and perspective."
"Sure," Sam replied, relaxing in her seat. "I love sharing my opinion on any issue. So what's the problem? Is it the underpaid staff? The blatant favoritism shown in this school? I've also had some thoughts on how to make this school more energy efficient and…"
"Nothing like that," Mr. Wolfe said, waving off her concerns. "Although I'll probably want to hear your opinion on those issues later. Right now, though, most of the teachers are concerned about Danny and his recent behavior."
"What about his behavior?" Sam questioned, suspicion coloring her voice as she straightened in her chair.
"Since I don't have any classes with Danny, I haven't seen any of it first hand," Mr. Wolfe began, interlocking his hands and leaning on his desk. "But the others say he's constantly late, leaving class and just behaving suspiciously. They're worried and they want to know what's going on. Is Danny being abused at home?"
"Absolutely not," Sam replied with conviction. "They might be oblivious but they are good people."
"Then is Danny in a gang or doing drugs?" Mr. Wolfe asked.
"No," Sam said sternly, almost growling. "He's an amazing person. He is a teenage boy and makes mistakes, but he is the most selfless person I know. He would never do anything like that."
"Then can you enlighten me on what is going on?" Mr. Wolfe asked kindly. "The teachers are worried and only want to help."
"Then do something about all the unpunished bullying," Sam snapped back. "That's his only real problem. Other than that, you can tell the teachers to relax. Danny isn't doing anything he shouldn't."
"Alright," Mr. Wolfe sighed. "I'll take your word for it. You can go Sam, but know that we are here for you and Danny."
"I'll keep that in mind," Sam said stiffly, gathering her stuff and leaving.
(With Mr. Rainer)
Mr. Rainer leaned back in his chair, playing a game on his phone while he waited for Tucker to come. Soon a knock came at the door.
"Come in," Mr. Rainer said distractedly not looking up from his game.
"Hi Mr. Rainer," Tucker greeted cheerfully as he came in and flopped into a chair. "You wanted to see me? What can I do for you?"
"This wasn't my idea," Mr. Rainer said bluntly, putting his phone away. "But the other teachers say your friend Danny is acting like a trouble maker and they want to know what he's up too. So are his parents beating him?"
"What! No!" Tucker denied in shock. "They…"
"Then is he doing drugs or in a gang?" Mr. Rainer continued, ignoring Tucker's excuses and explanations.
"Of course not!" Tucker shouted. "He…"
"Then can you tell me what is going on?"
"Well he gets bullied but nothing other…"
"Noted, if you don't know anything else you can go," Mr. Rainer said dismissively. "I'll let the others know. You did a great job on your last project by the way. I was really impressed."
"Um… Thanks…" Tucker said in confusion, gathering his stuff. "See you later Mr. Rainer."
