Middle of Everywhere - Mary Bray Pipher [82]
The class was over. Hurried and cursory as it was, this would be all the health information these girls received. There was so much more to teach—about nutrition, exercise, stress management, addictions, and regular checkups. Still, I was grateful to the health educator for what she did say. I walked to the library to check on Homera.
Day 170—May 19, 2000
Mrs. Kaye announced she would not be returning next year. She had accepted a job in another city. She didn't explain why, but I suspected that dealing with the gang kids had exhausted her. Nobody in this class liked her decision. Velida and Tharaya looked as if they were about to cry. Homera said, "You are my best friend in America." Anton and Faisal poked at each other to distract themselves from their feelings. Both Liem and Nadia looked suddenly depressed.
Alberto asked, "You're joking, aren't you?"
But Cahn and Khoi were the most upset. Khoi said, "I will move with you. I will help you at the new school." Cahn shouted out, "If you are not here at school, I am not here." Then he said, "I am a little kid. I want my teacher." He began to suck his thumb. He tried to make a joke of this, but the thumb-sucking looked pretty genuine. The other students stared at him in amazement. Patti asked softly, "What are you doing, Cahn?"
Nobody, except Alberto, really wanted to leave school. The world looked much colder and harder outside the school. Refugee students are understandably afraid of change. Some gang members purposefLilly fail twelfth grade so they can stay in school another year. One Laotian girl attempted suicide on graduation day.
As I watched the students react to Mrs. Kaye's news, I realized how much we all had changed over the year, how we had all grown together. Homera was more relaxed. She still dressed in her traditional way, but she spoke in class and sometimes even joked around. She looked everyone in the eye now, even boys. Only when her husband showed up did she become an obedient, demure wife.
Miraculously, Anton had not been beaten up by Cahn and Khoi. He hadn't calmed down much, but his English was better and he had made it through his hard first year. He still didn't have any real friends although it wasn't for lack of trying. He pestered Velida and Tharaya daily to be his girlfriends. His mother had forgiven me for suggesting therapy. Recently she had sent little cakes to class to celebrate Easter.
Patti was pregnant. Apparently the sex education class hadn't come in time. She hadn't publicly identified the father, but I suspected it was Khoi. He had been especially kind to Patti, and several times recently, he had actually turned in his assignments.
Cahn had started using heroin. Twice this month he'd fallen asleep on his desk. Mrs. Kaye had referred him to the drug counselor, but he wouldn't go. Regardless of where Mrs. Kaye worked, I didn't think Cahn would return to school next year.
Velida rarely came to school now. Her tumors were back and she had many severe headaches. But whenever she came, she was cheerful and kind to others. She was grateful for every small blessing.
Zlatko, Liem, and Nadia had all progressed academically. They were in regular classes pursuing their long-term goals of college educations. Zlatko and Nadia continued to think of helping people in their home countries. Liem wanted set a good example for his younger siblings and to make his parents happy.
Alberto wouldn't be back next year. He had a job at a body shop and didn't want to continue school. He had made some Mexican friends and had avoided the gangs. His English had improved and he seemed happier.
Faisal had been arrested twice. He had made very bad choices about friends and activities. He had learned all the wrong things about America. I felt sorry for him and for his parents. I worried about what would happen to him over the summer.
Tharaya had blossomed. She was a resilient girl with good coping skills. She had been awarded a summer school scholarship to the university. Her family and