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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Magpie Tales 96: his shadow on her

Friedlander photo, 1966

The teacher stood firmly with her back to the entrance door, barring the boy with the pointed hat, as his shadow fell on her.
"You can't come in here any more, you are too old for this school. You have to go to the high school, or you have to go home. I can't have you disturbing the younger children."
The teacher tried to smile as she spoke, tried to look authoritative but not threatening. She could remember how he had responded to threats when he was younger.
"My little sister is in there," he said.
"You don't have a little sister," she replied.
"My little brother, then," he tried. "Or maybe my youngest cousin."
"Okay, that's enough fooling around," she said. "Just go now." She wished she had a way to alert the principal, or the softball coach, someone heavier, someone stronger...she felt so frail, although not quite afraid yet, not quite.
"And if I don't want to go, are you going to make me?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied, strength suddenly coming from somewhere inside her. "Yes, I am." She uncrossed her arms and looked straight at him, looked right into his eyes, unflinching and quite unafraid.
"Oh. Well...well, then, I think I'll go. Uh, things to do, you know," he muttered, and turned away.

Posted for Magpie Tales

13 comments:

anthonynorth said...

Stares can be deadly. Nice one.

Jinksy said...

That's the way - stand firm! LOL ♥

Ms. Becky said...

that's excellent Kay!!! love it. and love your shadow shot for the week too. looks like you have no snow also. look at that green grass. same here. what is going on with the climate? I'm still hoping for a white Christmas because I believe in miracles. happy SSS to you Kay. take good care now.

Kathe W. said...

sometimes one has to stand frim and stare!

Anonymous said...

teachers sure know the right things to do to get rid of trouble

izzy said...

Not quite afraid! that is honest- just nervy!

Berowne said...

Excellent and creative response to the prompt...

Helen said...

I had a first grade teacher that looked like the woman in Friedlander's photo.

You captured the actions of the woman in charge and the bully boy quite well.

jabblog said...

Well done! It's hard to stand up to perceived threats.

(Hope you're feeling better now)

Brian Miller said...

good on her...certainly a scary situation and to feel all alone...i am glad she found it in her to stand up...

Ms. Geek Goddess said...

Hilarious! Love the last line! Too funny! :)

Isabel Doyle said...

poor chap in the funny hat ...
great response to the prompt

Doctor FTSE said...

Too right! Tell them where it's at.