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At the School Desk
May 25, 2008 | 1:34PM
Three days left of the school year. The kids fidgeted in their desks. The warmth of the weather added to the impatience of the day.
Rance Cooper, began to scratch idlly on the veneered surface of the desk top. He scrolled a little, then fel the cool painted surface of the metal cubby of the desk. He peeked sideways and began to detail the design in his head into the dirty, flesh colored paint of the desk. It was slow work to make it both quiet and well marked. He hoped this would be his desk next year. Bigger boys were allowed to choose a desk that fit them.
The teacher shifted in her chair and Rance's attention was diverted for a moment. Every one was supposed to be finishing their last library check out. Then all the books would be returned today. Teacher was filling in "comments' on the end of the year notes. Rance put his concentration back on the desk design.
He noticed a blot of real pink nail polilsh. UGH! the desk had belonged to a girl last year! He'd fix that disgusting 'mark' on his claimed territory ! He worked a little longer, yeah he was gonna' get it all taken care of. Hmmm the design was real good and straight but some how it didn't seem 'right'. He'd have to try to get a view of it from some where else in the room. Raising his hand he got permission to tie his shoe. He eased out of the desk and down in his knee beside the right side of the desk. He could look at it as he tied his shoe. With his eyes he studied the lines of his markings. They were straight and even but some how they were not quite like the "Greek Key" labove the Garrety Theatre markee'. He'd have to pretend to read the library book and think how to improve the design and make it look more like it should. Back in his seat he picked up his book three pages left he'd have to make it look good.
Feet were beside him now. The low healed shoes of his teacher. Rance gulped, he'd gotten caught up in the words of the paragraph he was supposed to 'pretend' to read. As quickly as they appeared they strode off. Nothing was said, he must be in the clear. Teacher announced for "everyone to keep reading she would be right back. In one minute." Rance slid out of his seat and with the pin he had been scratching with resumed the work on his design. The day after tomorrow, at noon, the bigger boys and janitors would start stacking and storing the desks. He'd find his easily enough in the fall.
Rance was aware that two bodies were standing in the class room doorway, he tried to act like his neck needed rubbing. He picked his book up as casually as possible. ' Over There" it was so softly spoken, as Miss. Widly pointed right at him. Principal Leederman, glided over, squatted down and nodded. Standing up he said "Come on Rance I have a job for you son." He sounded so nice. Rance was confused. He expected a paddeling or to have to run laps or something. He stood up and left the room with the principal.
Mr. Leederman spoke. "Rance thats an interesting design you put on that desk, any special reason why you picked that one in particular.?" Rance was confused but said, " it's the Greek Key" pattern from over the markee down at the theatre sir. I', I ,just wanted to make sure I got the same desk next year, a big one I could sit in real good sir, a;just'ble 'case I do some growing over b'fore next school year sir." Mr. Leederman, stopped short. He looked at Rance and his expression changed from surprise to anger to understanding. "My boy, he said slowly, there is nothing Greek about what you scratched into that desk frame.... I figured sompthin' was wrong with it Mr. Leederman" the boy said humbly I was figurin' on it.... I ' I sure am sorry." Rances feet scuffled a bit. "Rance" said Mr. Leederman softly but with deadly earnest, " you created a row of swaztica's...." Realization bloomed on the boys face. His Father and two of his uncles had died in the war when he was was just three years old. That was nine years ago. He hung his head. "I'm so sorry Mr. Leederman, I didn't mean....." I know son" the man replied I know. I'll take a licken' for it sir... a good one too!" Rance looked eye to eye at his principal whose own face and neck bore the marks of hand to hand combat from the 'Battle of the Bulge'. "No, Rance I'm going to put you to work son. Walk with me." They walked out of the building, to a shed behind the school where the desks that needed repair were always stored.
Unlocking the door, Mr. Leederman stood aside. Rance peeked in and saw more desks than he thought the little building could store. Some older and wooden, some newer and metal, all were dirty and in need of sanding and painting.
"You can start tomorrow, paints in the office, and you will sand every mark every spot and scratch off all these desks. We've had a lot of children born since the war Rance. They need desks. We'll have more students next year than ever before in the history of the school!"
"You'll bring your desk out here tomorrow and do it first son". How'll I know which paint sir Rance asked? It's in war surplus, cans, the pale pink stuff. Lable says "New Skin Pink" Rances face fell off. He smirked then smiled and said "What ever the "War Dept has sir." Mr. Leederman patted him on the shoulder and they chuckled like a father and son, a the prospect of pink desks.
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Posted by lampoil on 2008-05-25 17:57:16 | Rating: | Views: 150
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Your a talented writer lampoil. I love the stories.
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Posted by anotherdaze
on 2008-05-27 21:56:07
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Ahwwh thanks :o
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Posted by lampoil
on 2008-05-28 00:21:25
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Wow, Lampoil, I'm very impressed by your stories :-) anotherdaze is right, you are a talented writer. :p
I also really appreciated the comment you put on my blog - it's nice to know you were impressed by my apparent wisdom ^_^ and yes, I did know that Ezra was a prophet, but nice of you to add anyway :)
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Posted by Mezlie
on 2008-05-28 07:17:52
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well thank you all for the wonderful support it is very nice to write for self and find others are able to enjoy. :)
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Posted by lampoil
on 2008-05-28 23:31:08
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Enjoyed your story, as well! Sounds like a very wise principal!....and a bit mischievous, too! :)
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Posted by Alice
on 2008-06-07 01:56:22
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Almost all I write comes from real life. Mine or realtives blended stories. :)
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Posted by lampoil
on 2008-06-10 11:37:14
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