Riley

24

Friday

"Theodore Bennet," his mother exclaimed as soon as she saw him enter the kitchen along with her husband, "you are in deep trouble."

Her harsh, sharp words froze his legs, forcing him to stand a few steps from the door. He watched her bloodshot brown eyes and that angry grin showing through slightly yellowed teeth. The little boy began to feel uncomfortable.

His mother continued. "You got into a fight! What were you thinking, Theodore?!"

"I-I..."

"Shut up!" hissed the furious woman. "Dare to speak and, believe me son, you will bitterly regret it!"

Theo bit his lower lip, hid his hands behind his back, and his face darkened. He found that rebuke unfair, as well as absurd. Why would he not allow him to speak and explain his point of view? Why did he believe Principal Bright's fibs, despite the fact that he and Riley had been the only ones who had not lifted a finger? Silence would not have been able to explain any of this.

"You're lucky the principal was merciful toward you," his mother said simulating relief. "So much for suspension, you all deserve expulsion for this! Especially you four!"

But what was she saying? The four of them expelled? Not Katrine and her friends who had bullied him and his friends for months on end? The urge to yell at her was strong, every nerve cavity creeping into every nook and cranny of her body was ready to move its muscles to externalize her discontent and try-even if it proved futile-to convince her mother that they were trying to do the right thing.

"Bella," her father said dryly.

The woman let out a long, loud, nervous sigh. Then she looked at her son with a grave note of sternness. Now, she could not get ahead of herself.

"Ever since you started dating that Sally Halley," she spoke decisively and sickeningly, "you've done nothing but become like her. Rebellious, uncaring and rude! Not to mention that Bishop! When she wants to she is capable of being worse than the other."

Theo gave her a cutting look; what she was hearing was beyond any logical conception. How is she allowing herself to offend my best friends?

He continued. "Besides, this school is not really the best. That's why your father and I were thinking of changing next year. New class, new friends."

The little boy turned pale in the face. Was he imagining it? Was it his mind that was making him think he was crazy? Discreetly and invisibly to his parents' eyes, he pinched his right hand. He groaned under his breath.

Yes, unfortunately it was all true.

His father took the floor, "Let's not talk about it now, since that is not the reason we are here. What you did at the principal's today together with your friends surprised us a lot -- in a bad way."

Her voice became stern, she told him, "You will not leave the house until you return to school. For a while, neither Sally nor Riley will come here. Finally, the computer is off-limits except for school. Clear?"

Theo observed his parents with an indifferent look; pretending to be appalled, or at least angry, would do no good. He hid his displeasure at not being able to spend de time with his friends; the computer he could do without, at least he had books to read.

"Of course," he replied dejectedly, then stood up. "Sorry for trying to do good for me and my friends."

Before he left the kitchen, his mother ended the conversation in a firm tone, "Next time you'll think twice before doing something stupid like this.