Ian cut him off. "Yet another expense that my folks are going to yell at me about."
"Don’t worry. It won't cost that much. It'll only be for three hours a day, and it's deductable."
"Err..,Why only three hours?..Not that I'm complaining."
"Because my son, that's all that's required by the state when you're getting a one on one education. They've somehow figured out that a half-hour's worth of individual attention on a subject is approximately equivalent to an hour's worth with a class of twenty. My guess is that there's going to be a certain amount of homework required that'll take up some of the missing three hours."
Ian was actually quite pleased with this new arrangement. "Great. So shall I go home now?"
"Nope. I believe you're legally obligated to stay until three o'clock today." Mr. Zivan looked at his watch. "It's a quarter to two right now, so I suggest you show up at your final class, whatever that is."
"Oh no. It's phys-ed," frowned Ian.
The counselor could tell that this wasn't one of his favourite classes. "Well son, look at the bright side. I managed to get you out of two classes today." He winked at Ian. "You can at least thank me for that."
"He he, I do appreciate it, but probably not nearly as much as my math teacher does."
Ian decided to arrive at his 6th period p.e. class fifteen minutes early. This would enable him to change into his gym clothes without having to deal with the likes of Felix and others in the locker room. He finished dressing, just as the previous class was entering the locker room. Coach Bert was certainly surprised to see him sitting out on the field earlier than everyone else, especially because he hadn't seen him at all for the previous two days.
"Ian, were you dismissed early from your previous class or something?"
"Yes sir."
"Where have you been the last couple of days?"
"Out riding." Ian had no reason to lie about it.
The coach scratched his chin. "Ian. You know what, I want you to take a jog around the school right now."
"So, do I need to have to do that twice?"
"No. Listen, I've just decided that for your safety, you should be running separately from the rest of the class. I've been overhearing some of the locker room gossip during the last two periods." The coach leaned over and got in Ian's face. "I don't know what it is you did earlier today, but I am very sure that it wouldn't be a good idea to let you and the rest of this class out of my eyesight simultaneously. Get moving now!."
Ian quickly stood up and started jogging the usual route. He had barely been fifteen feet away when he heard the coach holler from behind him.
"And no stopping to look at the girls in the gymnasium! You understand?"
2:01 pm
As Ian rounded the final corner, he saw the rest of the class seated in rows. Most of them started booing the moment they saw him approaching.
"Alright, now it's your turn," the coach barked at the students. "All of you, get running."
As they did, Ian sat himself down in their place.
"Okay, Ian. You know the routine by this time." As Ian started going through the usual regiment of warming up, the coach started speaking to him. "I'm glad you got here early today, Ian. You'll be doing everything about ten minutes ahead of the rest of the other kids, which means I can dismiss you early. The last place you need to be today is in the showers with Becker."
"I thoroughly agree with that. Thank you sir." Ian huffed while doing sit-ups.
There were a lot of angry looks as the other kids approached. Ian went out of his way to not make eye contact with any of them, and the rest of the period was reasonably uneventful, though a little more tense than usual. When the coach dismissed him at ten minutes to three, everybody applauded his departure.
Ian changed into his regular clothes as quickly as possible, and carried his gym clothes with him, along with his books, knowing that he would not be returning to the place for at least a week. He threw everything into his backpack, and made a rush towards his bike. As Ian was unlocking it, the irritating whining of an ambulance siren kept getting louder and louder, until the vehicle passed right by him, and on to the school grounds. He briefly had to cover his ears, it was so loud. He noticed that it was heading straight towards the gym. Ordinarily, he would've been curious enough to follow along to see who had been hurt, and if it was serious. Today however, his own safety took precedence. He was really anxious to get as far away from the place as possible, lest anybody start following him.
6:08 pm
The discussion around the dinner table in the Ian house was more subdued than usual that evening. Ian and his father were now barely acknowledging each other's existence. His mother and sisters were busily pattering away about some dress they saw in a department store window. When everyone had finished, his mom purposely asked him to help her dry the dishes, while everyone else went about their business.
"So son, you're going to be here at home for the next week or so."
"Oh? Well, somebody must have told you.."
"Ian, we got a call from your sociology teacher. She said you put on quite a performance in class today."
"I did the assignment the best way I knew how." Ian wasn't sure whether or not his mother was angry. She maintained a passive face as she spoke.
"She said that you definitely have a future of some sort in the field of public oration. Maybe becoming a politician?"
"Alright mom, so I'm not exactly the ivy league material. What else isn't new?"
"Ian, I really hope this week works out well for you. Home tutoring is certainly a less embarrassing alternative for all concerned."
Ian was numb. "Look, mom, my sisters are superb, There's something you can brag about to your friends the next time my name pops into the conversation. I don’t mind being left out." He threw the dish towel down on the sink. "And mom, if you need me, I'll be in my room."
Ian flipped on the small portable television that was in his room. He fell back on his bed, and just lied there idly, staring at the ceiling. The t.v. had been arbitrarily tuned to an educational channel. There was a nature documentary on. The narrator was pontificating about the necessity of weaker animals to die early, so that the stronger may survive. Tears fell from Ian's eyes like rain.
4:20 pm, Emergency Room
"You're extremely lucky, girl." The doctor finished wrapping the plaster cast on to Rita's shoulders and arms, while her mother stood watching. "You're only going to have to wear this for a week the most."
"A week!?" Rita was horrified. The thought of her arms being outstretched like that for the whole week was terrifying.
Rita's mother had a much more realistic view of the situation. "Rita, do you realize how common it is for girls who fall off of balance beams to be permanently disabled or comatosed?"
"Or even killed," added the doctor.
Her mother continued. "I was once thirteen Rita dear, and believe me, I can imagine what must be going through your head right now. You’re feeling like a captive bird, don’t you?"
Rita looked down and said nothing. There was no need to, as she was saying it for her.
"Well look," she continued. "I'm going to tell you something that you already know, but it is worth repeating. Imagine what it must be like to be a quadriplegic. And yet, there are tens of thousands of them living very full, productive, enjoyable lives. They are great authors, teachers and scientists. Compare that to your situation. So far apart, eh? You can easily walk, and move your fingers. In just around a week, you’re going to be out of this cast and your arms will be fully functional once again. Isn’t that wonderful?"
Her mother continued. " I know you're the sort of person who likes to help other people. This week it's your turn to accept the help of others. I noticed, you're ext
remely popular, and you've got a lot of friends who love you very much. You know what Rita, for the last hour and a half, I've had to put both of our cell phones on hold. I’m too tired to answer.. The last call I took was from a girl named Betty. She is literally in a state of hysteria. She's a particularly close friend of yours?"
"Yes, Betty! She's also in the school's gymnastics program," Rita replied. "Mena actually saw me fall off the beam. For all she knows, I might be in a coma right now."
"Hurry up now. Call her!." Rita’s mother pulled out her cell phone. "Calm her down.”
Her mother held the phone up to Rita's face. It took less than half a ring for Betty to pick it up, and she still sounded frantic.
"Betty, it's me...yes, I'm going to be alright...Yeah, I love you too. Listen, I'm going to be out of school and in a cast for about a week. Are you coming to visit me?...No Betty, not tonight. I've got to get adjusted to this thing. Yup, I'm not going to be able to move my arms for a week.... Betty, I need you to help me spread the word that I'm going to be alright. I don't want anybody worrying about me. Call Trish and Phoebe first...Okay, got to go now. Bye girl."
Rita already was starting to feel a little better psychologically. Yes, she was going to be both incredibly uncomfortable, and helpless for a week, but not miserable.
"Rita, I'm going to wait until we get home before I give your father a call."
They both thanked the doctor and the