I had to make the phone call and I was shaking at the mere thought of it. It felt as if my life's blood was draining and pooling onto the floor of my car. My muscles tingles as I dialed.
Finally he picked up. The words stuck in my throat but only for a minute and then they were rushing from my mouth in a huge breath. I think I spat on my dashboard.
" 'Lo?"
"I've been on the phone with school. Benjamin has gotten into a fight."
Now this is our first "bout" (pun intended) with this. My son is a gentle, kind boy. He would NEVER hurt anyone. Being as small as he is, has made him although tough, careful not to do what's been done to him. This came as a shock to Cheech.
"Say again?"
I continued, my mouth dry, tears almost filling it.
"I got a call from school. Benjamin clocked some kid on the bus this morning."
"Whyyyyy...."
I fought to find the right words, to get the vision some JUSTIFICATION out there.
"He had to change this morning. He got breakfast all over his shirt. He put on his pink dress shirt and tie. Ohhh he looked so nice ( Now to interrupt: this is my son's decision. He loves to dress like his father and when you consider his long (er) blonde hair? Every day he dresses this way. I love him so. He IS the cat's meow) ANYWAY, he got on the bus and you know that kid ****?"
"Nope."
"Well, there's this kid **** and he has picked on Ben since ....since always." I am hurrying, trying to not miss a beat but cut to the chase. I can feel Cheech's temper through my phone.
"I guess, today, when Boo got on the bus, **** called him a fag and yanked his tie. But before he could let go of it, Ben popped him right in the face. (I tried not to giggle because the thought brought a smile to my face.
"So this kid has been asking for it." Cheech was thinking hard. He was torn. You have to stand up for yourself...but....
"Miss @@@@@@ saw it and so when they pulled into school, he was escorted off the bus. He's in the Vice Principal's office. We have to drive him until the end of the school year. I'm going there now."
"I'll meet you." his voice was short, crisp and full of "Dad". Is that authority? Is it anger? I don't know because I'm not one, but ...you know what that sounds like???? Yeah, you do.
"You don't have to. I can do it." I began again.
"I will. I want to see him."
"You don't."
" I'll do. Be fair, Baby Jane. This is serious. Besides, I wanna see the damage to the OTHER kid."
"No. You don't. You can't go." I raised my voice.
"That's crazy. Why not?"
"Because it's April Fools Day."
I tried to hold it in, but I'll confess. I snorted. I could hear his face: his jaw dropping. His eyes rolling back into his head. and then....yes, a smile. I was ROOOOOOOOLLLLING.
"I got you! I got you SOOOOO good! AAAAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! Oh! My stomach hurts. Oh stop. Can't AHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHA!"
and if you know me, you know how this went; I had a laughing fit. I sat in my car and laughed until I thought I'd run out of air. I had pulled into work by this time and watched him stare me down. I parked and wiped my eyes. I got out on giggly knees and smoothed my skirt. There is always a price to pay for having fun.
"Hoooo. Boy. Good times eh?" and I began to laugh again. Didn't lose control, but was hee-hawin it up.
"Hoo Boy. You bet." He was loading flowers for Easter delivery. A service man was walking behind him asking for a signature.
"Here's your flower for Easter." He held out a pretty lil thing. I reached for it.
"Awww Honey, Thank you so much. I'm sorry if..."
And in one swoop he turned and placed it in the hands of the serviceman. "Enjoy it. For her." and he left me on the porch.
I'd like to think it's over. That I was had. But in all honesty, I struck the match and blew on the burning fuse. He has the bomb.
to be continued I'm sure....
I hope you laughed today. Thank you for coming to see me. I enjoy our visits.
