Anna woke up and remembered: today was the last day of school! The very last time she'd enter Miss Barlow's classroom. Next year she'd be a great big second grader!
She skipped into the dining room to find her father still waiting for her mother to serve him his breakfast.
"You are up early today," he remarked.
"It's the last day of school!" she replied.
He smiled.
"And so it is. You can do whatever you like for the rest of the summer! I can certainly understand how you would be happy about that."
"I can go to the lake, ride my new bike, play with my friends, eat ice cream, and everything!"
He laughed.
"I know Mary Lou and her family will see a lot of you this summer."
Anna's mother smiled as she served him his sausage and eggs.
"I used to always love the last day of school. There was never any hard work to do, and we only had to go for half a day!"
"That's right - we get out before lunch, just like on the day of the play!"
Anna quickly finished her cereal, dressed, and left the house. She met up with Mary Lou as usual. Her friend was carrying a big bag of lollipops.
"My Mommy is sending these for all the students," she explained. "She told me to pass them out before everyone goes home."
At school, she explained about the lollipops to Miss Barlow.
"That's so nice of your mother to send lollipops for everyone," said the teacher. "I'll keep the bag here in my desk drawer until it's time for you to pass them out. It wouldn't do for the other children to see them and get distracted."
Mary Lou didn't smile.
"All right." She handed the bag to Miss Barlow.
After the roll call, pledge of allegiance, and prayer, the teacher had an announcement.
"I've enjoyed being your teacher this year, and I'm proud to say that all of you have been promoted to the second grade, although two students, Mike Howard and Susie Smith, will have to attend summer school to bring their grades up."
Anna glanced back at Susie to see that her friend's arms were folded on her desk and her head was resting on them so no one could see her face. Poor Susie!
"I'm especially proud of one student, a student who has never earned anything less than an 'A' on his report card. That student is Dayson Rainwater."
All was quiet for just a moment. Then Anna began to clap, then Mary Lou, and a second or two later, about two thirds of the rest of the class joined in. Dayson beamed.
The morning lessons consisted mostly of review of recently learned material, and then class was dismissed. The students whooped with joy as they ran out into the sunshine. Anna's heart was light as a feather, until she heard a scuffle behind her and turned around. She saw that Dayson was holding his arm and that big tears were welling up in his eyes.
"You think you're so smart!" Mike sneered.
Suddenly Miss Barlow was there, her eyes flashing with anger.
"You're coming with me, young man!" she snarled, grabbing Mike by the arm.
"I didn't do anything!" he whined.
"Yes, you did! I saw you hit Dayson in the arm. That kind of behavior is inexcusable, and I'm taking you to the principal's office right now!"
The other students laughed and jeered. Anna went to Dayson.
"Are you all right?" she asked him.
He nodded.
"I will be. That really hurt, though."
"Do you want my Daddy to take a look at it?"
Dayson shook his head.
"I'll be all right." He walked part of the way home with Anna and Mary Lou, and then he had to turn in the opposite direction.
"At least Miss Barlow took Dayson's side this time," Mary Lou remarked.
"She had to," Anna replied. "She saw what happened with her own eyes."
When Anna got home, she told her mother what had happened.
"Mike's just jealous 'cause Dayson got all A's and he has to go to summer school," she said.
"Of course he is," her mother replied. "I'm sure your teacher realizes that, and I'm glad she took Mike to the principal's office. I hope - " Anna saw the familiar frightened look in her eyes and felt her own stomach clench. "Well, I hope the principal taught him a lesson he won't soon forget."
Anna nodded. She knew what her mother meant.
When her father got home later, he looked at her report card.
"'Anna has been a joy to have in my class this year,'" he read. "She is much better at remembering to raise her hand when she wants to speak and waiting her turn. Her math skills have improved as well.' I think this calls for a celebration. How about a trip to the aquarium on Saturday?"
"Oh, yes!" said Anna. "Mike hurt Dayson today, Daddy. He was jealous because Dayson got all A's, so he hit him in the arm. Dayson said it really hurt but he'll be all right."
Her father frowned.
"I'll drive over and take a look at him after dinner. You can come along, if you like."
When the family was finished eating, Anna's mother cleaned up and looked after Simon while Anna and her father rode the short distance to the Rainwater home. They arrived at the modest frame house to find the family sitting in their living room together.
"How is your arm, Dayson?" Anna's father asked, after the family had exchanged general pleasantries.
"His arm?" asked Mrs. Rainwater. "Did something happen to you at school today, Dayson?"
"Someone hit me in the arm," said Dayson. "I didn't tell you before because I didn't want you to be worried."
Mr. Rainwater's face grew tight with fury.
"Who would do such a thing?"
"It was Mike Howard," said Dayson. "He was angry that I got straight A's but he has to go to summer school."
"Miss Barlow sent Mike to the principal's office," added Anna.
"I hope you will not let the incident discourage you from doing your best at school next year," said Mr. Rainwater. "If you do, he will win."
"Of course I won't, Daddy," said Dayson.
"May I please see your arm?" Anna's father asked him.
Dayson obediently held it out for him to examine.
"It is just a small bruise. It will be all right," said Anna's father.
"Want to go to the aquarium with us on Saturday?" asked Anna.
"I will gladly pay for the entire family," said her father.
Mr. Rainwater's face tightened again.
"No! I will pay for my family to enjoy the aquarium." His face relaxed, and he smiled. "Thank you for the invitation."
"You're welcome," said Anna.
