Winter Season

What to do?

Oscar was still knocked out from all the drugs. “How is he?” Bell was standing at the foot of the bed.

“The doctor says he’s going to be fine. When he wakes up and gets up, he can go home.”

They let Oscar go home late Thanksgiving evening.

Friday afternoon their doorbell rang. Esther opened it to Chet, Chaz, and two other people she didn’t know.

Chet gave her a hug, “how’s our boy today?”

“He’s doing okay.”

Chaz gave her a hug. “How are you?”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

Chet introduced the two other people, “this is Principal Davis from the high school and the superintendent of schools, Mr. Browning.”

She shook their hands as Oscar entered the room dressed in yoga pants and a t-shirt. The doctor had recommended that he not wear tight or stiff fabrics for at least two weeks.

“What do we owe the pleasure?” Oscar asked.

“We have a twofold reason for being here.” Mr. Browning spoke. “First and foremost, we wanted to check on you. Second, we need to talk about Mr. Smith.”

Oscar was standing behind the couch, “please sit. I think I’ll stand.” But no one sat down.

“Oscar,” Chet spoke. “Do you want to press charges?”

“No.”

“Good God why not man.” Principal Davis was not amused.

“I was just a bystander. That tray could have hit anyone. Duke never meant to hurt me.”

“Be that as it may,” Mr. Browning reported. “I am going to ask the board to press charges. How dare you assault one of my teachers. He turned that tray into a deadly weapon.”

“If you wish,” Oscar answered.

Chaz cleared his throat, “Esther can tell y’all that I don’t feel sorry for criminals. I think you deserve what you get. With that being said, I feel sorry for this kid. He has done nothing but cry since he got arrested. His remorse seems to be genuine.”

Mr. Browning scoffed, “genuine indeed.”

“A great deal of the student body respects Oscar. I’d say his remorse is genuine.” Principal Davis shared. “But on the other hand, this is what you get for trying to help the little punk.” She shook a finger at Oscar.

“I fail to see where he’s a punk.”

“Why are you protecting this kid?”

Oscar took a deep breath, “because I see myself. I hated math. I was bored. I had no idea what I was doing and Mr. Kromer took the extra time to tutor during study hall almost every day. He cared enough about my education that he worked with me and tried. I see a lot of that in Duke. There are times when he is so engaged in my class and he tries. There are other times; he is so bored that he can’t sit still.”

“What do you do on those days when he acts like that?” Mr. Browning asked.

“I have an I-pad and a pair of head phones that he uses.”

Mr. Browning looked confused, “to do what?”

“He is extremely interested in the weather, volcanos, and life in the deep ocean. I have several sites preloaded and test him on the programs he watches.”

“So you give him special treatment?” Principal Davis asked.

“There is nothing in the rules saying that I can’t do it. I have researched it seven ways to Sunday. I have even read his file. When he was in kindergarten, he was tested for ADHA and autism. The report said that he was autistic slightly. When the school recommended a treatment plan, his parents when ballistic: to the point of threatening the school. At the time it was Mr. Seamore, whom got a restraining order against the Smith’s.”

“But you’re creating extra work for yourself. Why would you do that?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I have no desire to see this young man fail because his home life is shit. Children can’t help who their parents are.”

Esther was amazed. She knew that Oscar was a good person. She knew that from the way he had been so kind to her. But he continued to surprise her.

“Boy you called that one,” Chet shook his head.

“Explain it to me,” Chaz asked.

“I’ll do more than explain it. You can come with me when I go to talk to his parents.”

Chaz nodded in response.

Everyone left.

Oscar wanted so badly to set down. He stared at the couch like it was a lone lost friend. He sat down for the ride home in the jeep. It wasn’t so bad but he was sore and a little afraid.

Esther held his face in her hands. “Sweet heart, you are one extraordinary of a man.”

“Why do you say that?” He looked surprised.

She smiled, “you just are.” He took her outstretched hand, “let me help you.” She held him as he sat on the couch.

It did smart, but nowhere as badly as the thought it was going to.

Winter Season