Thanks to "lilvickiryan", "Spinelli Woods, Esquire", and "goofy monkey child" for reviewing! I appreciate you guys reading and enjoying the story!
Chapter 4: The Gang and Stacey
Location: Tuesday 10 AM, Ms. Finster's classroom, the bell has just rung for Recess
After doing many exhaustive long division problems, the gang heads out of the classroom and they can't wait to enjoy recess.
Vince commented, "Finally recess is here!"
Spinelli added, "Yeah! Those problems creamed the heck out of my brain."
Gretchen tried to downplay the severity of their condition. Gretchen slyly said, "C'mon it's not that bad! In fact, I found it quite invigorating!" The gang rolled their eyes and smirked knowing that was their Gretchen.
Spinelli thought about what happened to Mikey yesterday and asked, "Hey Mikey! What happened to you and Stacey yesterday?"
Gus impatiently interrupted, "Did Mr. Johnson do any cruel or unusual punishment to you guys?" The gang looked at Mikey in intense interest wondering what cruelty Mr. Johnson put Mikey through because they knew that Ms. Finster and Mr. Johnson enjoyed sharing disciplinary tips with each other.
Mikey smiled and calmly said, "Don't worry my dear friends; we just had detention after school for about an hour and a half." The gang sighed in relief.
T.J. called out, "Hey why don't we all play outside and play some basketball?" In an instant, T.J. was reminded of Spinelli's broken leg and looked at her.
Before T.J. could apologize or say something, Spinelli said, "Heck! Its okay guys. I'll be on the sidelines." The rest of the gang looked disappointed that she would be missing out, but Spinelli loudly rationalized, "C'mon guys! I mean what else could I do?!? Heck, let's go!"
The gang began to go outside but stopped when they saw Mikey was hesitant to leave. T.J. took a moment and looked at Mikey's reaction. "Mikey! Are you okay?"
Mikey was looking at Mr. Johnson's classroom and was feeling sympathy leaving Stacey alone in the classroom. Mikey asked, "You wouldn't mind if I asked Stacey to join us would you?" The gang looked at each other and no one objected; in fact, they were looking forward to seeing her after Mikey asked them.
T.J. happily replied, "No Mikey! None of us would mind."
Mikey ran to Mr. Johnson's classroom and shouted back to the others, "Go outside to the court and we'll meet you there!" The rest of the gang went towards the playground doors in excitement to start recess and meeting a new kid.
Mikey arrived at Mr. Johnson's classroom door. He was eager and couldn't wait to invite Stacey to the playground, but he composed himself and slowly opened it to find Stacey.....again, she was there....with only loneliness accompanying her. Mikey, having the heart of a poet, could feel the empty, cold lonely classroom in which she saw Stacey a prisoner in. Stacey saw Mikey but wasn't tensed up seeing him this time. She just quickly went back to doing her homework. Mikey was in a complete loss of words. He knew Stacey had hit 'rock bottom' of despair of having fun when a kid preferred to do homework than play outside during recess. Mikey slowly approached Stacey and cried out, "Stacey, how my heart aches to see you alone and secluded from the rest of the kids! Why must you inflict such torture on your soul?"
Stacey just looked up at Mikey in surprise that he would be so emotional seeing her like this. Stacey knew what Mikey was talking about but she wanted to be secluded from the kids....she emotionally depended on it because of her past. Stacey just dismissed Mikey's intense feelings, "Mikey...I'm okay, really. You should go and have some fun outside. Don't worry about me."
Mikey's heart went out to hers. Mikey wailed, "So humble! Do not mask your emotions anymore. Please join me outside where you may experience the joy of the playground and the hearts of other kids!"
Stacey softly said, "Mikey...I'm masking nothing!" Stacey wryly giggled to cover up her loneliness. She felt that Mikey was exactly pinning down and knew where her emotions were. She never thought anyone could read her emotions so easily and quickly, but the misery of her past made her resist. "Mikey...I have to get this homework done soon. I'm really thankful Mikey, but don't worry....please....." Stacey's mind was split; she badly wanted to have fun with the other kids but her experience did not want her to get hurt all over again.
Mikey gave Stacey the 'puppy-eyes' look where his eyes became big and wet. Mikey pleaded with Stacey, "Please Stacey....come with me. If not for yourself, at least for me...."
Stacey looked deep into Mikey's eyes, she couldn't help feeling bad for him since he was trying so hard to make her join him, and then her defiance was eliminated. Stacey needed some companionship with other kids....her desert-like heart had not been quenched by it. Stacey raised her head up and met Mikey's eyes. Stacey's emotions for wanting companionship overpowered her mind, a mind, persistent to remind her of her past. She was fearfully willing to take a risk to be hurt again and softly said, "Okay Mikey.....I'll join you outside."
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Vince, Gretchen, Gus, and T.J. were already busy playing a game of basketball when T.J. spotted Mikey and Stacey. The five of the gang were taken a bit back by Stacey's appearance since no kid really wore sweatpants to school.
T.J., with his unique friendly happy smile, introduced himself. "Hi Stacey! My name is T.J. Detweiler!" He then pointed out to his friends and called their names. "Here is Vince, Spinelli, Gus, and Gretchen!" The four waved their hands to Stacey.
Spinelli tried to wave but one of her crutches started to tip over to the side. She caught it in time and cursed out, "Dang! Now, I know how Ms. Finster felt when she had to use crutches last year."
Vince offered, "Would you like to play basketball with us Stacey?" The gang looked at Stacey enthusiastically.
Stacey looked down at the blacktop and mumbled, "Sure...." Stacey was nervous being outside with all of the kids of the playground. Stacey observed some other kids and their friends enjoying the swings, Old Rusty, and playing kickball. She sighed and was mildly envious of these kids having fun...it seemed so distant and foreign to her. She approached the gang and they soon split up into teams of two: Vince and Gus versus T.J., Mikey, Gretchen, and Stacey. Stacey was slightly confused over the uneven teams and before the game could start she spoke out, "Um...why are our teams uneven?" The gang smirked knowing how little Stacey knew of Vince's athletic talent.
Gretchen silently commented, "I wouldn't worry about that Stacey. Trust me." Gretchen raised her eyebrows teasingly to Stacey.
Stacey dismissed it and they soon played. Spinelli stood on the sidelines with her crutches and yelled to T.J.'s team like an angry, professional basketball coach, "C'mon Gretch jump a little higher!....Teej, move to right side and block Vince....Mikey, look out for the ball. Whompin' Bobbula guys! C'mon!"
In the middle of the game, Stacey caught the ball and she was on the 3-pointer line. Stacey without thinking just threw the ball and made a 3-pointer. T.J.'s team cheered and Vince was impressed by Stacey's shot. Vince raised his eyebrows and said, "Wow Stace! That was some shot! You made it look easy."
Stacey just looked around and giggled in nervousness; she did not want to make the shot. She only made that shot because she was caught up in the game. The gang was cheerful and happy around her, but Stacey felt like all eyes were upon her as if she was being interrogated. The gang did not notice her strange behavior until now and Spinelli said, "Stace, you look like as if Ms. Finster or Mr. Johnson is coming to get you." The gang all looked at her, but she smiled and shook her head back and forth in a dismissive attitude.
The five and Stacey continued with the game and with Stacey being more 'on edge' than ever. In about 8 minutes of the game, Stacey got caught up back in the game and without knowing she accidentally made Vince trip and fall down. Vince fell on the blacktop hard on his palms but he was able to break his fall. Stacey's body tensed up and she ran to Vince's side. Stacey immediately started to apologize, "Oh! I'm so sorry Vince! I had no idea! Please forgive me! I'm so so sorry..."
Vince got up and brushed himself off and moved his fingers around to see how his hands were. Vince listened in on how apologetic Stacey was and he tried to calm her down, "Stace! It's okay...I'm not hurt or anything. It was just a small fall." Little did the seven of them know Irwin Lawson was watching them.
"Hey LaStupid! Looks like you're losing your game! This dork just stopped you." said Lawson mockingly (referring to Stacey as the dork).
Spinelli struggled to walk up to Lawson, with her crutches, and harshly said, "He ain't losing anything! But you're gonna lose your teeth!" Spinelli's hands were gripping the crutches tightly getting ready to swing her crutches at him; since she could not stand up with her broken leg.
Stacey's eyes moved around surveying the potential fight she believed she caused. Stacey tried to keep the peace and put herself in between Lawson and the gang. Stacey yelled to Lawson, "Boy! You better shut your mouth up!" Stacey grabbed her mouth and couldn't believe she said that. Mikey froze hearing his new soft, shy friend speak like that. Spinelli bumped into Stacey to defend her. Just before Lawson could grab Stacey's sweatshirt, Spinelli swung one of her crutches at Lawson and he ran out of the way before he could get hit.
Stacey felt responsible for everything that just happened and, in a panic, she said, "I'm sorry Vince and Spinelli for putting you guys through this. I really didn't mean to make you guys get all agitated and stuff..." The gang looked at each other wondering what Stacey was talking about since she didn't start the fight and that she only caused an accident with Vince.
T.J. calmly tried to comfort Stacey, "Stacey, its okay....you didn't do anything bad or wrong."
Stacey was having flashbacks of her cruel past and she started to cry slowly thinking how similar her past and the events today were. She quickly said, "Sorry again guys. I..." She took a deep, quick breath and her throat dried up. "I'm sorry.....I just have to go...." Suddenly she ran away from the gang and headed back inside while her mind was swimming with similar experiences she had in the past. The gang looked at each other in confusion; even Mikey was lost on what Stacey was feeling.
Spinelli faced towards the gang and softly said, "Uh....guys. Did we.....or I do something wrong?" The gang couldn't understand Stacey. Little did they know how much they didn't know about her...
Chapter 5: Figuring It Out
Location: In the new Counselor's Office, Wednesday during Recess
T.J. and his gang spent all night, last night, trying to think of why Stacey was behaving so strangely, but they had no such luck. T.J. decided to skip recess today and talk with a school counselor about it as a last resort.
"Send the boy in!" said the new, young counselor responding to the secretary.
T.J. Detweiler slowly walked into the small counseling office while he was thinking over and over about what to say to the new counselor. The counselor turned around in his office chair and faced T.J. T.J. was taken back a bit by how young the counselor was.
"You are Theodore Detweiler, right?" said the new counselor while looking at T.J.'s file.
T.J. obediently said, "Yes, sir."
"Take a seat Detweiler." said the counselor confidently, "What seems to be the problem?"
T.J. was a bit hesitant to tell the counselor the problem because he looked so young for someone in Third Street's faculty. T.J. observed that the counselor did not look much older than his older sister, Becky. T.J. thought to himself that maybe this counselor could understand the situation since he was young himself.
Before T.J. could begin, the counselor looked at T.J. suspiciously and said, "Aren't you the kid that causes all the pranks around here?"
T.J. rolled his eyes and exhaled loudly, "Yeah....that's me."
The counselor smirked and said, "You wouldn't happen to be related to a....Becky Detweiler, right?"
T.J. lost his train of thought for a second and asked, "What did you just say?!?"
The counselor smiled and emphasized, "Are you related to Becky Detweiler?"
T.J. carefully answered, "Uh....yeah.....why?"
The counselor laughed and leaned back in his chair and loudly let out, "Whoooo! That's unexpected!" T.J. just sat there wondering what planet he was from. The counselor added, "I haven't seen you since you were a little tike!"
T.J. refocused his eyes on the new counselor and said, "And who are you?"
The new counselor sat properly upright on his chair and said, "I'm Jimmy. I used to be a senior in Washington High when Becky was a freshman and I worked at Floppy Burgers with Becky last summer."
T.J. was surprised that he knew his older sister and said in disbelief, "Really?!?"
"Yeah", said Jimmy casually, "how is Becky doing anyways?"
"Fine", T.J. promptly answered. T.J. suddenly thought about Becky's diary and how he read last summer about Becky with a guy named Jimmy. T.J. bit his lower lip and in a sly interviewing attitude he asked, "Did you have to work the deep fryer at Floppy Burgers?"
Jimmy replied, "Yeah....why?"
T.J. smugly smiled to himself and knew that this was the Jimmy his sister had been writing about all summer long. He joked to himself noticing the guy's features because he was good looking, but not 'soap-opera' model material as his sister wrote so passionately about. Jimmy was a Caucasian 20 year old guy with black hair. He was 5 feet and 10 inches in height and had a normal build but was a little skinny. Jimmy had trimmed off the mustache from last summer. T.J. mentally sighed to himself thinking, 'Yeah...that's my crush crazy teen sister alright.' He glanced at Jimmy's facial expression that was looking for an answer but T.J. quickly covered it and said, "Oh my sister was saying something about how bad it is..."
T.J. tried to change the topic before Jimmy could press on about Becky, "How did you get a job here at Third Street anyway?"
Jimmy answered, "I don't have an actual job but I'm having an internship here at Third Street. I'm an undergraduate college student majoring in psychology and the college thought it would be a good idea to work in a counseling environment for young kids since I like working with them. I'm a student of that same professor that was at your school last year....Dr. Quilty...remember? The one who tried to do child research with you and your friends..."
T.J. smiled again at the coincidence and teasingly said, "Is she still trying to figure us out?"
Jimmy teased back, "I think all of us adults are trying to figure you kids out."
They both reflected over the professor and smiled. After a few seconds of silence, Jimmy remembered that T.J. came inside for something, "Hey! I'm sorry you wanted to talk to me about something?"
T.J. was now more comfortable telling Jimmy about the problem. T.J. began, "I have a friend named Stacey and she's been acting pretty weird since she's been here."
Jimmy walked around his desk and sat on it while focusing on T.J. He took a moment and said, "Normally, I'm not supposed to allow students to discuss about other students problems with me...." Jimmy looked at T.J.'s face and saw how T.J. wanted to help Stacey out. Jimmy sighed and said, "But you seem like a good kid from what Becky has told me." T.J.'s face lit up in hope. Jimmy continued, "How has she been acting strangely?"
T.J. looked down on the floor and up at Jimmy trying to find the words to explain the situation. T.J. worriedly described, "Stacey seems to be avoiding the playground and all of the kids. She prefers to stay alone. Whenever any kid does approach her...she ends up crying after 2 or 3 minutes and runs away. I don't get it."
Jimmy looked down on the floor and faced T.J. Jimmy was thinking about what T.J. had told him and how he could explain it to T.J. "Detweiler....not all kids are easy to figure out. Trust me..." He gave a small smile. "You've seen the professor and we still are lost. But it looks like she is avoiding you and other kids because something really bad happened where she decided that she doesn't want to be near any kid."
"Any kid?!?" T.J. said in disbelief. T.J. immediately got up from his chair and looked at Jimmy closer to see if he was serious.
"Yeah, any kid" Jimmy admitted, "...It's sad to say but sometimes it happens with kids."
"Thanks Jimmy but I got go!" said T.J. in a rush as he quickly left the office. Jimmy tried to say something but T.J. was already out the door. T.J. couldn't believe that a kid wouldn't want to be with his/her own peers. He couldn't understand what could be so powerfully hurtful that would cause a kid to give up on having the chance to make friends. While T.J. was running down the hallway, his mind was swarmed with thoughts over wondering what this hurtful thing was; he knew, in any case, he had to find a way to stop Stacey from being lost in her despair. T.J. was so determined to help Stacey out because he never could conceive of a kid being so hurt where he or she wouldn't want to have friends anymore.
Chapter 6: A Thankful Thanksgiving?
Location: Ms. Finster's classroom; Wednesday before Thanksgiving and school is about to end for the day
T.J. tried for the past few hours to get a chance to speak with Stacey, but he was unsuccessful at every attempt; Stacey seemed to be a step ahead of avoiding T.J. and the gang Mikey and T.J. tried to work together to find her, but still that was not enough to be able to find her. It was only a few more minutes before Thanksgiving vacation would begin and the students couldn't have been anymore anxious to leave.
Vince looked at the back of the classroom and commented to the gang, "Man guys! Finally we were hooked up with the Ashleys this year and now we all managed to get over 10, 000 cans!"
Spinelli's leg was finally healed and she did not need her crutches anymore. Spinelli, with a fist up in the air, cheered, "A new school record for a class! No one can beat us for years!"
The bell rung and the students ran out of the classroom to enjoy their 4-day weekend. After the students and the excitement left Third Street, the gang decided to walk around the neighborhood together for some time since they would be with each of their families for the entire vacation. They happily went to Kelso's to buy some candy on the way and stopped at their favorite pond. The trees nearby were bare with only a few red and orange colored leaves barely clinging on to their branches. The cool 40 degree winds blew past and through the hair of the gang and formed little ripples at the pond as T.J. and the gang stared into it. They were lost recollecting their summer memories and how the scenery of the pond had changed.
Gretchen softly spoke to the group while continuing to stare into the pond, "My, my, my....I could come here anytime of the year and still have a great time."
Everyone smiled and started to blush whenever one of them would look at another. Gus looked down on the ground and slowly looked up to the gang, "Guys, I just wanna say that being a new kid and having my first summer here...was the best! I really couldn't have asked for a better time. I know for this Thanksgiving, I'll definitely be thankful for having you guys around." The gang except Gus smiled in shyness and was flattered that Gus valued them so much.
Before sunset could arrive the gang met up to a street corner (where they usually met before all walking to school) and all said and waived goodbye to each other. Though, Spinelli and T.J., had to walk together a bit further since they lived only 3 houses away from each other. The wind started to howl behind T.J. and Spinelli and the coldness of the wind started to nip at their fingertips while they were walking home. Their shoes brushed and pushed the fallen dead leaves on the sidewalk that were moving randomly all over the sidewalk because of the wind. Spinelli and T.J. were not paying attention to the weather but on their Thanksgiving stories about how crazy their families were during Thanksgiving time. They started to laugh about their fathers or uncles overeating or how some sibling or cousin of theirs tried to start a food fight. Suddenly, T.J.'s red baseball cap blew off in the wind behind them. Spinelli ran to catch it but T.J. didn't even notice it.
Spinelli walked back to T.J. with his cap and teased, "Sheesh Teej! I thought that you would have noticed your cap missing before I did!" Spinelli ruffled and played with T.J.'s messy hair and tried to place his cap backwards, the way how T.J. wore it. She giggled to herself trying to correct the position of the cap; she tried correcting it again and again to give it that 'T.J.-esque' look. T.J. smiled seeing how Spinelli was trying so hard to position it, but he really didn't care about his cap then he was just enjoying Spinelli's presence there with him. Spinelli finally stopped and, in frustration, said, "Sorry Teej! I can't get it right."
T.J. smirked and softly said, "It's perfect Spinelli."
Spinelli and T.J. continued walking and telling their hilarious stories and they soon arrived at T.J.'s home. T.J. became suddenly embarrassed when he heard some of the craziness going on inside his home. The loud metal clanging of pots and pans being set up for Thanksgiving dinner, the screams of his young cousins, the arguing of his older sister Becky, and other sounds that made it sound like a circus inside of his home. T.J. rolled his eyes knowing that he would soon have to enter that circus of family members himself.
Spinelli could see and sense his anxiety. She calmly and teasingly said, "Don't worry Teej, you won't be alone in this." Spinelli pointed back to her home and T.J. saw Spinelli's relatives were just arriving. Spinelli's relatives were pulling up on the driveway.
T.J. felt calmer knowing that Spinelli knew exactly how he felt about sometimes being embarrassed by family. He thought back and reminded himself that Spinelli knew more than just a thing or two about being embarrassed. T.J. remembered back last year on Parents' Night, Randall telling the playground Spinelli was an Ashley, Spinelli dressing up like an Ashley, when Spinelli called Ms. Grotke 'mama', and other events. T.J. became more relaxed knowing that Spinelli knew exactly how he was feeling since she experienced so much.
T.J. looked back at Spinelli warmly and tried to think of something to say before saying goodbye. He curiously thought to himself about Thanksgiving and slowly worked his way in asking, "Spinelli.....what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?"
Spinelli looked at T.J. but she resisted looking into his comforting, caring eyes; eyes that would bring on shivers and open Spinelli's emotions. Spinelli knew that if she looked directly in his eyes she could lose herself to her emotions and getting out of it was as difficult as swimming out of an enormous whirlpool. She tried to cover up her uncomfortable situation and gently punched T.J. on the shoulder and said, "You of course, Teej! I mean, how you saved me twice when Ashley X was here. I never..." Spinelli stopped herself from saying anymore because she was noticing that her emotions were creeping up in her words.
T.J., in confusion, asked, "Never what Spin?" T.J. looked deeper into Spinelli's eyes with more warmth.
Spinelli looked down on the sidewalk and nervously said, "I never...a....a...knew that you would do so much for me....being a friend and all." Spinelli breathed safely that she added 'being a friend and all' so that there wouldn't be any implications of what she was saying.
T.J. was slightly confused how Spinelli ended her sentence. He ignored it and said, "Spin, I mean you were really beaten up! I couldn't have done nothing!"
Before T.J. could continue, Flo Spinelli opened the front door of her home and called out for Spinelli, "Oh pookie!"
Spinelli saw this as a ticket to get out of the discussion with T.J. because she felt that it was going to lead to her dealing with her emotions again. A fight she didn't want to mess with. Spinelli just ran toward her house and called back to T.J., "See ya Teej! I gotta go! Have a good Thanksgiving!" T.J. waved bye to Spinelli but was surprised that she left so quickly.
When Spinelli arrived at her home, T.J. was already inside his home. Flo Spinelli looked at Spinelli curiously and said, "Pookie! I was just calling your name out to see if you were nearby! I didn't mean to call you inside..." Flo continued in a cute, motherly voice seeing her little girl talking with the boy she had a crush on, "...especially when you were talking with that adorable T.J."
Spinelli in embarrassment and frustration just silently yelled, "Mom! C'mon let's go inside!" Spinelli double checked outside to make sure no one was listening and that T.J. wasn't there to hear them either. She sighed and both of them walked inside their home.
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It was Thanksgiving evening, and Stacey looked at her thanksgiving meal and started playing with it. She went in and out of daydreaming while her family was busy enjoying the meal. She sighed and slouched back in her chair.
Stacey looked to her father, in a melancholy state, and asked, "Dad, um....how long are we gonna stay here in Arkansas?"
Her father did not notice how his daughter was feeling since the dining table was swarmed with relatives. He responded, "A...I don't know sweetie, why?"
Stacey put her elbow on the table and her hand supported her head while her eyes roamed around the dining room. Stacey sighed and said, "I wish we could go back home to Detroit. I don't belong here..." She sighed again and thought over her past and experiences. "....maybe I belong nowhere...."
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To Be Continued…