The Star Of His Eye

Billy Ryder

I get awoken to a buzzing noise. I sit up, my cheek feeling funny from resting on the desk for a while. My eyes readjust to the dim lighting in my office space. The buzzing continues, as I look around my desk for the source. I finally manage to locate my phone.

"Hello?" I ask, my voice feeling hoarse from my oh so comfortable sleep.

"Hi, is this Mr Ryder? It's Annie from the Evergreen Middle School office." Came the monotone reply.

"Ah yes, I'm Alec. What seems to be the issue?"

"The Principal would like to meet with you and Mrs. Ryder, to talk about some behavioural issues with Billy."

"Mrs. Ryder is out of town, but please let Mr. Sampson know that I would be fine to arrange a meeting time."

"This is a rather urgent matter, so will this afternoon be alright?" Annie replied.

Oh Billy, what have you one this time? "This afternoon will be perfect."

Annie hangs up, after a sound of confirmation.

Oh Billy dear, what have you done this time? What is it about Billy, always getting into trouble. Bad behavior can't be passed down, can it?

~TBBSMB1SHOT~

"Mr. Sampson can see you now, Mr. Ryder." Annie says, gesturing to the door for me.

Nodding her way, I walk into the office. I walk into the all too familiar small space. Decorated like most other Principal officers, it feels gloomy and life sucking. I sit in the seat I always take, the stiff, cool leather providing a shock of sorts. Here I go again, having to get lectured about my child's misbehaving. Mr. Sampson stands with his back to me as I enter, getting something out of a filing cabinet. This can't be good, if Billy's record is coming out.

Mr. Sampson finally turned around, noticing me. "Good afternoon, Mr. Ryder. Thank you for meeting me so unexpectedly." Mr. Sampson takes a seat on the other side of the wooden desk.

"I was told it was an urgent matter, and please, I insist on you calling me Alec. Now, what seems to be today's issues?"

"Alec, this morning alone, we had several reports of Billy dacking fellow students, Teachers being ambushed by water and stink bombs, with witnesses claiming it to be Billy. This afternoon, it seems Billy had also started a food fight in the cafeteria."

I run my hand through my hair. it sounds as though Billy spends a little too much time with Uncle Joe. "Is there anything else?" Sounds like Billy is up to the usual no good.

"After I had Annie contact you, I had a report of someone with a shaving cream filled locker in the boys changing rooms. If Billy acts out one more time, I'm afraid I'm going to have to issue a suspension. Alec, I ask you to please sort out your child's bad behaviour, or your child will be wishing they only had detention. Now, that is all for this afternoon. I hope I do not have to see you in here anytime soon, Mr. Ryder, I bid you goodbye."

Nodding my head, I exit the office, and walk down the hall. I pass by the detention room, Billy just finishing up. Billy spotted me, so I don't bother to wait out the front of the room. By the time I reach the exit, Billy has caught up.

"Dad, it wasn't all my fault!" Billy wines, as I hold the door.

"Billy, we will have this talk when we get home. For now, I want you to sit in the car quietly, the whole ride home. Once there, you will explain EVERYTHING about what Mr. Sampson has told me about. Dacking people? Water bombs? Shaving cream in the boys locker room? Billy, what has gotten into you! Do I need to supervise you whenever Joe is around or something? Billy, this is the third time this month I've been called in. I think you need to pick up your game."