Middle of Everywhere - Mary Bray Pipher [66]
That morning Grace explained about St. Patrick's Day and reminded the kids to wear green. Mai had heard that if they didn't wear green they would be pinched. Deena had heard that boys chased the girls and kissed them. These rumors led to whispers and worried looks. Grace said that she didn't think they' would get pinched or kissed, but to wear green just to be safe. The scared looks reminded me just how vulnerable these kids were. Everything here was new, and until they experienced events, they had no way to know they were safe.
Grace gave the kids the assignment of unscrambling their spelling words. Abdul asked for my help. Even though we spoke very little, I was starting to feel a connection with him. I would be hard-pressed to explain why. It was something about the way he smiled at me, a more connected smile. Together we finished ahead of some of the others.
He lifted his paper high above his head and announced loudly that he was finished. It was the first time all year he had truly completed work early. Grace made him an award that was covered with ribbons and stars and said, "To Abdul, for paying attention in class and doing his work." Abdul held the award up for all to see. In fact, he held his award all morning.
Trinh worked slowly and twice Deena leaned over to help her. Ly wore new glasses today. They made her look more serious; still, when she saw me looking at her, she broke into her usual grin. Neither Ignazio nor Pavel finished their work. Abdul lorded his finished piece over them. Khoa gave up halfway through and poked at Pavel. Pavel almost punched him, but then he just made a joke and looked away. Grace said, "Thank you, Pavel, for using your head not your fists." Fatima, Trinh, and Deena worked together and soon had their papers done perfectly. Abdul bragged to Walat, "I got a hundred on that paper."
Class ended with the kids inviting me to the St. Patrick's Day party. I suspected they wanted a protector in the event they were attacked by kissing or pinching kids.
As the class left, Grace told me sadly that Sycamore had "lost points" because the students didn't score well on standardized tests. Resources would be cut and they'd lose their media specialist and their music and art staff. Grace said that she'd have to teach to the tests which she hated to do, especially with these kids who needed practical knowledge, socialization, and help with trauma.
May 3, 2000
It was a beautiful spring day. Today the sycamore had lime green leaves rustling against its gold-and-white-streaked trunk. As I walked into school, I thought, where has the year gone? How could it have disappeared so quickly?
Class began with our flower ceremony for those we loved who were gone. The kids had brought locally blooming flowers—lilacs, daffodils, tulips, jonquils, and forsythia. Everyone had someone they wanted to remember and Grace asked each child to say what they liked about that person. Then they could put the flowers in a communal vase.
Deena said, "My uncles carried me whenever we went to the market." Mai said, "My mother would be happy I have a Big Sister." Trinh said, "My parents took good care of me." Ignazio said, "My grandmother made great tamales and dulces." Khoa said first, "My grandfathers had lots of girlfriends with big boobies." Grace frowned at him and he changed his story: "My grandfathers worked hard so that we could have rice to eat."
Abdul's eyes were faraway and when it came time for him to put his lilac in the vase he plopped it in without saying anything. He spilled some water from the vase. Grace put her arm on his shoulder and said, "That flower was for your brother. I am sure he was a good boy like you."
Afterward the class was silent. Pavel was