First Day of School

         

            Well at least his foot isn’t jiggling a mile a minute.

 

            I looked down at Javier’s pink Addidas socks and black shoes.  His legs were crossed, his head was resting on folded arms, and his eyes were closed.

            “How’d your first day of school go guys?” Three boys waited for the final bell in the eighth grade Learning Center.

 

            “All anyone talked about was rules and rules and rules,” David crecendoed.

            I smiled sympathetically, but kept my eye on Javier wondering what it would take to get his head up.

    

            Did his ADHD meds ever kick in?  He’s a lot bigger this year.  Is this a crash? Is he taking anything this year?

            “Guys, I told you first hour that today is all about classroom procedures and making sure you have your supplies.  The hard stuff starts soon enough and you’ll wish for a day like today.”

            David unzipped his large three-ring binder and put his pencil into the small zippered pouch inside.  The pouch already bulged with a dozen pencils.

 

            They’ll be gone by Labor Day. Where do they all go?

            “Kevin,” I turned to the third boy, “You haven’t said anything.  How’d your day go?”

            Kevin’s eyes widened and a flush began creeping up his neck.  David twisted around in his seat to stare at Kevin.  Javier continued to sleep.

            “Uhhhhh,”  Kevin’s eyes darted. “Fine.”

            “Any problems or questions?”

            The blush continued creeping up and darkened.  Kevin’s eyes flicked from me to David and back to me.  His mouth pulled into a tiny, timid grin.

            “No,” he whispered breathlessly.

            I studied Kevin wondering how long it would take to peel back some of his shyness.

            “OK.”  Pause.  “Good.”

            I waited a minute then turned back to sleeping pink socks.

            “Javier.  Tell me about your day.”

            I watched his back and shoulders slowly rise as he pulled in a deep breath then heaved it out in a laborious sigh.  He raised his head and stared at me languidly through hooded eyes.  He finished a second grand sigh, then tilted his head and studied me.

            “Mrs. Jones.  You know how in this school there are some really boring teachers?”

             “Yeeeaaah,” I said.  “I know.”

            A grin tugged on the corners of his mouth.  He raised his eyebrows and tilted his head toward me.

           

            I dropped my mouth open and sputtered, “Are you saying I’m boring?”

  

            Javier’s eyes sparkled as he raised his eyebrows higher and tilted his head a second time towards me.

            Welcome back!

Medications

            “My stomach hurts.”

            I turned to look at Ramon.  His nose was scrunched up, and his head tilted as he held his stomach.

            “Were you sick this morning?”

            “No . . . Yeah . . . I don’t know.”

            “Did you take your meds this morning with the school nurse?”

            “Yes.  I always do.”

            No, I thought.  You usually forget and the nurse has to call you in.  Ramon took medication for Attention Deficit Disorder.  He took his meds at school because no one at home could remember to give it to him. 

            “Did you eat breakfast?”  I asked.  “You know your meds make you not want to eat.  And if you take your meds on an empty stomach, it makes you feel sick.”

            “I had breakfast.  I had sausage and biscuits.”  Ramon was smiling now and licking his lips.  “It was really good.”

            “Well, I’m sure you’ll feel better soon.”  It was 9:30 in the morning, and Ramon was one of two sixth grade boys in my room working.  “How are you coming on your math worksheet?”

            “Fine.”

            Ramon looked around the room searching for another diversion.  His eyes finally settled on David sitting across the table from him.  David’s head was bent over the worksheet in front of him.  Ramon stared at David for several seconds, studying him. 

            “Mrs. Jones, do David and I take the same medicine to help us focus?”

            Medications are the school nurse’s turf, so I always try to play dumb. 

            “I don’t know Ramon.”

            Ramon continued watching David.  David continued working.  Ramon continued searching for his diversion.

            “David.  What’s the name of your pills?” Ramon asked.

            David lifted his head up and stared at Ramon.

            “I don’t know.  What are you taking?”

            Ramon looked up at the ceiling, holding his chin in his hand.

            “I think I’m taking Viagra.”

            David stared thoughtfully at Ramon and then began to slowly nod his head up and down.

            “Yeah,” David said.  “I think that’s what I’m taking too.”

           

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