A siren in the distance was gradually getting closer.
“Richard, I don’t think—”
“Did you hear me, boy?” Mr. Brabant was incandescent, like a light bulb popping. “Get down from there, nigger!”
Mimi jerked her head—the only part of her that she could move. Her parents had taught her that you never used that word. Never. Ever. You did not even think it.
The rest of the students were still and silent, rigid with the shock of hearing the word aloud—except for Ian, who continued to back away from the scene.
“Stop that!” Miss Lode cried. She had turned bright red. Mimi thought she was telling Ian to stop, but then she continued. “Stop that right now! You do not use that language, Richard. You do not.”
Mr. Brabant showed no sign of hearing her, but was glaring at Osei. The new boy was moving now: not climbing down, but standing up and balancing precariously on the top bars of the jungle gym. Hands free, he swayed above the playground. Then he clenched his hand into a fist and held it high, all the while staring fiercely down at Mr. Brabant. Mimi had seen that gesture before, in a photograph somewhere.
“You know what?” he said, not loud, but penetrating nonetheless. “Black is beautiful!”
“Osei, please come down now.” Mrs. Duke’s calm, authoritative voice emerged from somewhere behind Mimi’s head, accompanied by her cloying perfume. “I think we’ve had enough drama for one day.”
Osei glanced at her. “You want me to come down?” he responded, equally calmly.
“Yes, please.”
He swung his gaze back to Mr. Brabant. “Do you want me to come down?” He said this a little louder.
Though Mr. Brabant continued to glare at Osei, he nodded.
“All right. I will come down now.” Fist still raised, O began teetering back and forth. Was it accidental or deliberate? Mimi wasn’t sure.
“Stop that!” Mr. Brabant shouted, though he must have understood by now that he was powerless.
Mimi wanted to add: Don’t end up like me. Because she could not move her legs. This must be her last day ever on this playground. And Ian—Casper had grabbed him by the arms and stopped him from escaping. Ian was sure to be suspended, or worse. And Dee—could she ever come back after all that had been said and done in her name?
There was only Osei left, the king swaying on his throne. He would have to choose. Had chosen, Mimi realized. Just before he plummeted, she heard Miss Lode cry, “Osei, don’t!” Then darkness overtook her, and the scene went black.
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Tracy Chevalier, New Boy
(Series: # )
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