Saying Goodbye

October 2014.

Detroit, Michigan

"Mom, I'm going to be late for school!" "Okay, well, I love you sweetie! See you later!" Joanna knew she was late for school and that meant she would have to face her first class teacher Mr. Teriyak. It was 8:30a.m., and she was upset. Her younger brother Mitchell was bugging her with her clock making her wake up at 4:00a.m. Then, Joanna slept in. But, this wasn't the first time she was late. The first time was in the 9th grade when Joanna had to feed her dog Rufus when he ran lose. Nobody was home to help. Now, Joanna is in the 10th grade.

Joanna started walking a block to get to school. When she was nearby, she saw Tommy. Tommy was in the same grade. "Nerd alert! I better cover myself and run fast!" Joanna was whispering to herself. On the other side near the doors, the cool kid ditchers were watching. Tommy always greeted and shouted out to Joanna when it was school. "Hey! Joanna, is that you!? I never see you at school this late!" Tommy shouted with a huge grin on his face. Joanna kept walking and ignoring Tommy. "Okay, I guess I'll see you around..." Tommy turned his happy grin upside down. "Haha! She is way to cool for you Tommy! Just not cool enough for us. Get along now." Dexter was into the Cool Kid Ditchers Club and he was the leader. He was in the 11th grade. Tommy slowly walked away.

"Let me check, where is everyone!?" Mr. Teriyak said in a loud voice and then stomped. Georgia raised her hand. "Yes, Georgia. Please tell me if you know where Joanna, Tommy and Frank are." "Mr. Teriyak I am not sure. I am sorry to say, but when you were yelling like crazy at the class, a new student walked in I am pretty sure." Georgia was a bit nervous to say because the whole class is listening of what she had said. "Hi, my name is Summer. The principal told me to come to this class. So are you Mr. Teriyak?" "YES! SIT DOWN NOW!" Mr. Teriyak was very irritated. "Open your Language Text Book to page 22. Read the story: Zandor's Quest and answer all 6 questions in about... let me see... 45 minutes. Most of you better get higher than a 70 or I AM MAD AT YOU. I HAVE SPENT 5 MINUTES TALKING TO YOU ALL." Georgia leaned over to Summer and started whispering to her. "It's okay, he is just mad. He has been mad over the past few weeks. I will give you a sticky note for you to read what happened." "Okay, thanks. I am a bit scared though." Summer took a big breath and started to read Zandor's Quest.

Hi Summer. My name is Georgia. Usually my friend Joanna sits there, but you can sit there today. The reason Mr. Teriyak is mad is because his wife was going to have a baby but it didn't work. The baby died. But 2 weeks later, they found out why. His wife got lung cancer. It's really sad. We can talk at lunch time in the cafeteria. I am going to History class next with Ms. Craters.

There was no more space on the sticky note for her to write. Summer read it and gave her a wink.

Joanna finally got to class. It has been 10 minutes and she looked like a mess. Joanna breathing heavily said: Mr. Teriyak... I .. am sorry.. I didn't get here... sooner." Mr. Teriyak was way to stressed so he just kept talking with another student. Then, an announcement came on. "Tommy Kaddir, Joanna Wilson and Dexter Clearwater please come down to the office, again that is Tommy Kaddir, Joanna Wilson and Dexter Clearwater please come down to the office." Before Joanna left the classroom, Georgia pulled her aside and asked: "Where were you!?" Joanna knew she would be late to get to the office, so she said back: "I will talk about it later." She walked away.

"Students. We were notified you were NOT in class. Is that right?" "Yes, but I..." "No buts Joanna. I asked a simple yes or no question. I will talk to you privately why you were late later on. Tommy, what about you?" "I am sorry Principal Jones. I was late. Punish me however you want too." Tommy was being the kind sensitive boy he was. "I have to go to the bathroom, hehe." Dexter hated to be down in the office with Joanna and Tommy. "NO! You are staying here. Joanna, please stay with me. Tommy and Dexter, you guys return to your classes. I will call you down later to speak with me."