Here's the next chapter. I hope you like it.
"You want her to start school this fall?" Mr. Lyons asked, sounding somewhat surprised.
"That's what I said," Elizabeth responded.
Mr. Lyons, the principal of Grassy Elementary, stood up from behind his desk as he studied Elizabeth carefully. It was obvious that she was very determined and he seemed confused by this.
Elizabeth understood his confusion. Public education was not something that was stressed - especially not for girls. It was more important for girls to learn to take care of a home so that they would make good wifes and mothers, while it was up to their husbands to earn a living. However, this did not seem to be the kind of future that would be presented to Rayellen. Elizabeth saw her daughter as beautiful, but knew most could not see past her blue skin. It was doubtful that Rayellen would someday be able to find a husband, so Elizabeth had to make sure that she could take care of herself. Besides, Rayellen was intelligent and she could use that intelligence to escape this area and all of its beliefs. She had chosen Grassy Elementary because it was one of the few local schools that had expanded beyond the 'one-room schoolhouse.' Plus, Elizabeth had gotten a job there in the lunchroom, so she would be nearby to protect her daughter.
"Look, Mrs. Maynard," Mr. Lyons began, "I'm not saying you shouldn't enroll Rayellen here. I'm glad that you've taken such an interest in your daughter's education - I wish more people would, but you must understand that school will be very difficult for her."
"First off, it's just plain Elizabeth," she replied. It was another part of her shame - NO ONE around here got divorced. It just didn't happen, but she didn't know what else to do when Robert given her the papers to sign. Taking a deep breath, she continued. "And what do ya mean about school bein' difficult? She's not dumb, like me. Rayellen is smart."
"I have no doubt she is," Mr. Lyons said, "but the simple truth is that kids are cruel. The other students will make it hard for your daughter." He laid his palms upon his desk and leaned forward. "Take her home," he said, "If you are truly concerned about her education, you can home-school her."
"I can't," she stated, "I can barely read. I was able to teach Rayellen, but already she can read better then I can. That's why she has to go to school."
"I'm not going to turn her away," Mr. Lyons conceded, "I wouldn't want to do that to her, but I did want you to understand the difficulties." He smiled slightly, "I hope you daughter enjoys our school." It was his usual speech, but his voice was without its usual confidence.
"Thank ya," Elizabeth said, standing up, "I'm sure she will."
The concept of first grade simultaneously excited and scared Rayellen. As long as she could remember she had lived with her Mom and her Mamaw and Papaw in their small home. Except for some family that would visit, she had never really been around anyone else. It might be fun to around some other kids and she enjoyed learning. Still, she was unsure what to expect as she walked into her classroom.
The room was already a bustle of activity as kids made their way around the room to pick out their desks. They were laughing and talking with one another, until they noticed her. Rayellen stood there for a minute, uncomfortable by their silence until they began talking again. They were now whispering and giggling, and Rayellen couldn't help but feel that she was somehow the cause. She didn't understand why. The only other person she knew that acted funny like this was her cousin Billy. He always teased her and told her she was strange looking. However, when she had told her mother, Elizabeth had said that Billy was the strange one.
She slowly made her way into the room, the curious eyes following her. She chose a small desk in the back, but just as she was sitting down, a couple of kids surrounded the seat.
"These seats are fer the second grade," a boy stated.
"And I don't think yer in second grade yet," a girl added, "I didn't see ya in first grade last year."
"And we would have remembered ya," the boy said, his eyes glittering.
There was something about the way they spoke that brought tears to Rayellen's eyes, but she just didn't understand what was happening. She moved over to seat on the other side of the room and sat down, trying hard not to cry.
"Hi there," someone said.
Rayellen looked up and saw a small girl sitting at the desk in front of her. She was smiling brightly at Rayellen as she pushed her long, brown hair away from her freckled cheeks. She was a bit too skinny and no one would have described her as being a beautiful, little girl - but there was something contagious about her smile.
"Hi," Rayellen responded, shyly.
"I like yer hair," the girl said, "it's purty. What's yer name?"
"Rayellen."
"That's a lot better then my name. I'm Sue Pack, but everyone just calls me Last-Un."
Before Rayellen could ask anything about her new acquaintance's unusual nickname, the teacher stepped forward. She had been quietly sitting behind her large wooden desk at the front of the class up until this point.
"Settle down," she commanded, and immediately students ran to take their seats as all talking ceased. She smiled, slightly at the performance, but there seemed to be no warmth within the smile. Although her appearance was quite severe, it appeared that she had been an attractive woman in her youth. Her steely hair, which was pulled back tautly into a bun, was naturally curly, as was proven by a few strands which had pulled loose, and her green eyes were sharp. Yet, her loose-fitting gray dress seemed to indicate that she didn't really care that much for appearance.
"My name," the teacher began, "is Miss Louisa. To the first graders, I want to welcome you to your first day of school. This is an exciting time for you and, if you behave, you will have the opportunity to learn much. As for the second graders, welcome back and I hope that, for some of you, this years will be as fruitful as your first, and others will find the room for improvement.
Miss Louisa stepped back to her desk where there were quite a large assortment of books. "In a moment I will be handing out your class books. Most of you have already paid for these books but for those of you have chosen to borrow," her sharp eyes pinpointed Sue Pack briefly as she spoke, "please note that these books are not to leave the classroom. You are merely borrowing these books, so removing one from school grounds will be considered theft the offending party will be dealt with accordingly. Also, these books must be returned in the same condition or there will be fines. Now, when you call your name, step forward to receive your books and a quick cleanliness check."
She produced a large chart from behind her desk that consisted of names and dates with the words "Clean Screen" at the top. "As the second graders know," she began, "each day I will check you to see that you are clean. Poor hygiene is a disease in this area, but I intent to combat it. Each day that you are clean, you will be receive a sticker by you name. If you want to receive a sticker, you must make sure you are free of dirt both of clothing and of body. It is as simple of that. First let's have Richard Adkins step up here."
As Rayellen watched a tan, lanky boy walk up front, she was a little confused. She had never dreamed that the teacher would check to see if they were clean, but perhaps that's why Mamaw had scrubbed her skin so rough this morning. While she was confused, Rayellen was also a little excited. Her dress was new, at least new for her, and after the scrubbing she got this morning, she knew that she was clean. She had never had a sticker before so now she was eager to receive her first.
When Miss Louisa called her name, Rayellen had to resist the urge to run to the front of the classroom. However, her smile began to fade when she noticed the harsh way that the teacher was looking at her, as Miss Louisa roughly pushed her red hair aside to look at her neck.
"How could anyone tell if you are ever clean or dirty?" Miss Louisa demanded, as she handed. "Go on and sit back down. There will be no star for you because there's no way for me to know."
"But," Rayellen began.
"First off, young lady," Miss Louisa interrupted, "We do not begin our sentences with 'but.' It's rude. Secondly, there is to be no talking back. When I tell you to do something, you are to do without hesitation or question. It would be a shame if I had to paddle you on the first day of school. Do you understand."
Meekly, Rayellen nodded as she tried to fight back the tears. However, Miss Louisa wasn't satisfied.
"Answer me aloud," the teacher commanded.
"Yes, Miss Louisa," Rayellen said, as she turned to walk back to her seat.
"Blue-ellen," someone called after her. Miss Louisa ordered the class to be quiet but never spoke directly to the offender. Rayellen paid little attention as she said down, tears stinging her eyes. She tried to look at her book to distract herself, but as she flipped through the pages she realized that something was wrong. In the pictures the children were smiling and laughing, but all the people in those illustrations had peach colored skin and rosy cheeks. None of them looked like her. Not one.
Last-Un Pack was of those fortunate individuals of being the youngest member of a rather large family and had the ability to learn from the mistakes of her older siblings. In some ways this hope her to mature a little faster than the average child but it also helped to prepare her in a way. She knew that there were things in the world that just weren't fair, but she accepted that and didn't allow it to bother her. She had even accepted her strange nickname with a certain grace that had made it her own.
Supposedly, her mother had been in labor for quite some time before Last-Un was born. When she was finally born, Sue's mother had sat up, looked at the midwife determinedly, and announced, "That's the Last One!" Some people even claimed that you could hear her several miles down the road. While that was obviously and exaggeration, Sue quickly became known as Last-Un throughout the area. She honestly didn't care but was rather proud for she didn't know too many people with a nickname that was so widely used.
However, other things were on her mind as she walked through the playground looking for Rayellen. She found her sitting to the far side of the yard, crying quietly while the other children enjoyed their recess. "Hey there!" she called.
Rayellen looked up and seemed somewhat relieved to see Last-Un standing there. "Hi," she said, quietly.
"Why aren't ya playing?"
Rayellen shrugged slightly. "The other kids won't let me," she admitted, "They just keep making fun of me."
"I won't make fun of ya," Last-Un stated.
"Why do they do that?" Rayellen continued, "Why do they make fun of the way I look? Is it because I'm blue?"
"I don't know," Last-Un answered, "But I think yer pretty." She sat down next her. "Want to be friends?"
"Yeah," Rayellen responded, but then tears came to her eyes again. "But I really wanted a sticker!"
Last-Un smiled and put her hand on her new friend's shoulder. "Ya'll get one someday," she said with confidence.
Rayellen returned the smile. For the first time, her day began looking a little brighter. She finally had her first, real friend but still her mind was occupied with something else.
When she got home, she had some serious questions for her mom.
Yes, I'm finally back to finish all my stories. The part about the checking the kids for cleanliness actually use did occur. I know that it seems odd, but it has happened before. Anyway, the next chapter will hopefully be up soon.