Promise (15 page)
Authors: Judy Young
Kaden didn't know how long he stared at that photo, but the next thing he knew, birds were chirping and sunlight was streaming in through the curtains. He opened his eyes. He was lying on the floor, the desk lamp still on and the photo album opened to the fourth picture. Kaden took one more look at the photo, closed the album, and raising up his mattress a little, slid it under.
When he went into Gram's for breakfast, Gram was in her dress again. But it didn't surprise Kaden this time. The dress had nothing to do with study hall. It was because of the sign.
Gram got on the bus with Kaden.
“I wouldn't normally be going,” Gram told Doris. “I'm
sure I'd see that sign sooner or later but Mr. Price personally asked me to join him this morning at the unveiling.”
Red flags went up in Kaden's mind. He suspected Mr. Price's invitation had nothing to do with the sign and everything to do with Gram's recent uncharacteristic visits to the school.
When they got to Emmett's, he was waiting by his truck.
“Sorry, folks,” Emmett said as Doris opened the bus door, “but Greta and I have to get going. We need to be at the school before everyone else. It's a beautiful morning, so I left muffins, coffee, and juice for you two on the picnic table out back.” Kaden was relieved Gram wasn't insisting on riding the bus to school again.
At school, instead of pulling around to the back, Doris pulled into the cars-only drive. All the students, middle school and elementary, piled off the bus and crossed to the grass strip. The teachers and a good many townsfolk had gathered there, too.
The new sign stood covered with a large tarp where the old sign had been. Beside the covered sign stood Emmett. He was grinning. Beside Emmett was Mr. Price. He was
smiling. And next to the principal was Gram. Gram's lips were perfectly straight.
Kaden searched the crowd and found Yo-Yo. He was dressed in an old faded band uniform, holding a bugle.
“What's with the band uniform?” Kaden asked.
“Part of the program. Did Gram tell you anything about what's going on?”
“No, how 'bout your mom? Did she say anything?”
“No, but I got inside information.”
“Really? How?” Kaden asked.
“I had to go with Mom to the school board meeting last night to model new band uniform possibilities.”
“You're kidding,” Kaden said.
“No. It was so embarrassing. I don't mind wearing a band uniform when you're playing in a band, but modeling? Give me a break.”
“So, what's the inside scoop?”
But before Yo-Yo had a chance to say anything, the earsplitting squeal of a microphone got everyone's attention. All talking stopped.
“Students, will you please stand for the raising of the flag,” Mr. Price's voice came over the loud speakers.
“That's my cue,” Yo-Yo said. “Gotta run.” Yo-Yo hurried to stand beside the flagpole.
As the flag was raised, Yo-Yo put the bugle to his mouth and started playing reveille. Kaden was impressed. A few notes were slightly off-key but nothing like the elephant blasts he made on his trumpet. Then Mr. Price invited Gram to lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Gram stood straight and solemn as she spoke through the microphone. When finished, the elementary teachers got the younger students seated in the grass as Mr. Price started speaking again.
“Good morning, students and teachers,” he said, “and a big Promise Elementary and Middle School welcome to all the townsfolk. It's great to see you are interested in the education of our youngest citizens. I hope you will remain so when we ask to pass a bond next election.”
“Enough with the campaigning!” someone yelled. “We're just here to see the sign.” The crowd chuckled.
Mr. Price was not rattled. “We'll get to that, Clarence, just be patient. First, I have an announcement. Mrs. McCrory has brought it to our attention we could make better use of the students' time here at Promise Middle School. She has graciously helped us design a new program and will be funding it, too. The faculty and I met this week to work out the details and the board approved it last night. We've named the program C.A.R.E., which stands for
Citizenship and Responsibility for Everyone
.”
“Some of us didn't
care
for it,” Luke's father called out from the crowd.
Mr. Price ignored Mr. Woodhead and continued. “As Mrs. McCrory pointed out, students should have responsibilities as citizens of our school community. C.A.R.E. will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays after lunch instead of study hall. So, students, homework assigned on those days will be done at home. Band will continue as it is, after lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Those not in band will go to study hall those two days as usual. Those students in band will no longer have study hall at all.”
Audible complaints rose from the students. Kaden glanced at Gram, worried she might grab the microphone and ask them what part of the word “homework” they didn't understand. Much to Kaden's relief, Gram stayed put but the straight line of her lips turned down as she glared at the noisy students.
“Quiet down, students,” Mr. Price instructed sternly. “During C.A.R.E., each middle-school grade level will be assigned one of three duties for the week. The duties will rotate each week to a different grade. One duty will be the School Beautification Duty. After lunch, students will stay in the cafeteria to empty trash, sweep the floor, and help wipe and fold the tables. Then they will go outside to pick up trash,
rake leaves, and, especially, work on the beautification of the inner courtyard.”
“What if it's raining?” Luke called out.
“If the weather is bad, you can help with inside chores,” Mr. Price answered without hesitation. “Another duty will be Elementary Duty. Students will be assigned to each of the elementary classrooms to help that teacher in any way she sees fit. The third duty will be Library Duty. Students will help Ms. Ales check in and shelve books. The school board, as well as the faculty and I, wish to thank Mrs. McCrory for her insight and financial support in helping our students be a more responsible group of young citizens.”
The audience politely applauded. The corners of Gram's mouth raised a little so it returned to a straight line, and she gave one nod.
When the applause ended, Clarence yelled out again, “What about the sign?”
“Okay, Clarence,” Mr. Price said. “As most of you know, our school sign was accidentally destroyed.”
“How?” Clarence interrupted.
Mr. Price chuckled and glanced at Doris. “You want to tell them?”
Doris turned beet red. “Everyone's going to know sooner or later,” she said. “I hit the sign practicing for the State School
Bus Safety Days Competition.”
The crowd roared.
“Okay, folks, quiet down,” Mr. Price said. “Accidents happen, but you all know our children are in the safest of hands when they step onto a Promise school bus.”
“Let's see the new sign!” Clarence interrupted again.
“All right, Clarence. You ready, Emmett?” Mr. Price asked.
Emmett nodded and picked up one corner of the tarp. Mr. Price picked up the other, and together, they lifted the tarp up and over the sign. The crowd loved it. Even Gram smiled as Mr. Price read the sign aloud.
“Promise Elementary and Middle School, where a Promise is stronger than a Thredt.”
When the ceremony was over, Kaden and Yo-Yo joined the flow of students streaming through the front doors.
“There's something I need to tell you about but I don't want to here,” Kaden said. “Do you think you can come to the cabins tomorrow? We'll go to the tower.”
“Probably. I'll go ask Mom.”
Yo-Yo turned right to head toward the music room. Kaden turned left. He was almost at Ms. Ales's room when
Luke and Elana came up behind him.
“Since when did your grandma know what's best for everybody?” Luke said over Kaden's shoulder. Kaden ignored him and kept on walking but Luke darted around in front of him and blocked his way.
“Are you going to answer my question or just sneak away like a thief?” Luke said, giving Kaden a hard shove. Kaden stumbled backward, knocking into Elana. Elana's books flew out of her hands and skidded in all directions.
“You need to watch where you're going,” Luke sneered, but then turned to Elana and in a sweet, overly concerned voice asked, “Are you okay?”
Kaden started to pick up one of Elana's books but Luke kicked his hand away and put his foot down on top of the book.
“Did Elana ask for your help?” Luke said.
Kaden stood back up, leaving the book on the floor under Luke's foot. Mumbling “sorry” to Elana, Kaden tried to dart around Luke but Luke was faster. He slammed Kaden into the lockers and pinned him there.
“I'm not lifting a finger for your grandma's C.A.R.E. program. And you and your little punk friend better not rat me out or you'll regret it,” Luke snarled into Kaden's face. “That's a promise.”
Yo-Yo had come up and now stood behind Luke but out of his reach. “Sounds like a threat to me,” he said. Luke let go of Kaden and turned toward Yo-Yo.
“What happened to your cute little band uniform?” Luke taunted.
“Come on, Luke,” Elana interjected. “Let's just go eat breakfast.”
But Luke didn't let up. “He looked just like a little munchkin, didn't he, Elana?”
“Actually, I thought so, too,” Yo-Yo spoke up as if he didn't realize it wasn't a big joke. “Those uniforms are probably older than
The Wizard of Oz
. But that's the last anyone will see of them. The band's getting new ones.” Yo-Yo nonchalantly leaned over and picked up one of Elana's books and handed it to her.
“Really?” Elana said, taking the book. “What do they look like?”
“Who cares,” Luke stated. “Come on, Elana.” Luke walked down the hall toward the cafeteria. Elana continued talking with Yo-Yo while Kaden picked up the rest of her books. But when Luke got to the back hallway, he called out, “I told you to come on, Elana.”
Elana hesitated, then turned to Yo-Yo. “I'd better go or he'll get even madder.”