Originally posted on March 15, 2017 by Gordon Savage
Samantha dreaded facing her father, expecting to receive added grounding for getting away with having help to finish her punishment at school. Plus she was still furious that he wouldn’t believe her when she told him she had not put the graffiti on the school.
––– # –––
One thing about Father being in the navy, his time was rarely his own. He had been called in that morning to an emergency meeting. He didn’t get home until after two in the afternoon, giving me plenty of time to stew. By the time he walked up the steps, I had had come up with a list of possible outcomes, none of them pleasant. I was beginning to wonder if getting even with him for Brian’s death was worth the difficulties I was going through.
I waited for him downstairs doing homework on the kitchen table. Mom intercepted him and told him what had happened. He came into the room with a non-committal expression. I stood up to face him and came to attention. He hadn’t told me to, but I had to show him that I understood this was serious.
He looked me in the eye for a second. “So, you pulled a ‘Tom Sawyer’ at school today?”
I wasn’t prepared for that question and had to think about it. Tom Sawyer had conned other children into helping him whitewash a fence. “No, sir, not exactly. Several kids had gathered to heckle me while I cleaned up the wall. I stood up to the most obnoxious one and told him off. Apparently it made an impression on him because he decided to help. When he did, a lot of the other hecklers joined in. I didn’t con any of them.”
A fleeting smile crossed his face. “So, what am I supposed to do with you? Your mom says you also stood up to Ashworth and got away with it.” The smile returned. “Actually, I’m proud of you. You’re going to make a fine leader someday. As far as I’m concerned you met the school’s requirements and I see no reason to extend your grounding.”
I tried not to show my relief. In fact, I decided to make one more plea for him to recognize that I hadn’t been lying. I think that if it had succeeded, my life would have been decidedly different. At least I would have quit trying to hurt him. “Sir, you have to believe me. I didn’t paint the graffiti on the school building. I’ll never convince Principal Ashworth, but you must know that I don’t lie – ever.”
The smile faded. “I know you’ve been in a lot of trouble since Junior died and your behavior hasn’t been up to your standards, so I don’t know if you’ve added lying to the list of irresponsible things you’ve done.”
All hope faded.
––– # –––
The lunchroom was noisy as usual that Monday. I did a quick scan and spotted Dwayne by himself at a table near the windows. When I had picked up my lunch, I carried my tray over to his table. He looked up as I approached. I smiled, perhaps a little too brightly. “Hi, Dwayne. I just wanted to thank you again for your help Saturday.”
He stood. “You’re more than welcome. Would you like to join me?”
Would I? Okay, he wasn’t as handsome as Bill, but he was good looking, and he was taller than I, even if only an inch or so. And he was smart. I wasn’t about to complain. “Thanks.”
I put my tray down next to his and sat. “I never did find out the big guy’s name. Do you know who he was?”
“Not really, but I’m pretty sure he’s on the football team.”
“That’s a shame. I’d like to thank him as well. If I can find the time, I’ll try to find him.”
“I hear you told Principal Ashworth off.”
I couldn’t help grinning. “It wasn’t that big a deal. I simply told him I met the terms he gave me and I wasn’t going to do any more.”
“So why did you put your initials on that quotation? I hate to say it, but that wasn’t real clever.”
I let the insult pass. I knew he didn’t mean for it to be one. “That’s what’s so frustrating. I didn’t put up the quote. Someone else did, apparently to get me into trouble.”
“And they succeeded. I wonder if it was Ingrid. I know she set up the hecklers. That’s the reason I was there.” He suddenly looked embarrassed. “Not to heckle. To head it off.”
I grinned again. “Maybe I should thank her. A lot of those guys were a help, especially the big one.”
He laughed. “They were, weren’t they?” He paused. “On another subject, do you have a date for the Homecoming Dance?”
Wow! That was a surprise. “Are you asking me to the dance?” I mentally cross my fingers.
He didn’t hesitate. “If you’re available, I sure am.”
Then I remembered. “I’d love to, but I’m grounded. I’ll have to ask. Maybe I can get a pass this once.” I could see his disappointment. It thrilled me, not that he was disappointed but that he was that interested in me. “I’ll do my best, but if you find someone else, I’ll understand.”
“I won’t be looking for someone else.” He put his hand on mine.
––– # –––
Mom initially said no. “You understand grounding is a punishment.”
“Yes, but I’m being punished for something I didn’t do. My grounding for the police prank would be over now.”
She didn’t respond right away. Finally she said, “I understand what you’re saying, but I’m not going oppose your father. If you can convince him, I’ll accept that decision.”
Okay, that put me in a difficult position. Mom had finally come around, but I knew arguing with Father was going to be a waste of energy. I didn’t want to set them against each other. That was a recipe for disaster, and to be honest I didn’t think I could convince Mom to do it anyway. “Could you at least tell him you support my request?”
“If he asks for my opinion, I’ll tell him what I think.”
I Knew that was the best I was going to get, so I resigned myself, sighed, and went up to my room.
Father got home just before dinner, leaving no time for discussing the Homecoming Dance until afterwards. While I helped Mom clean up, I had a hard time not hinting that she should talk to Father. When we were finished, I stood waiting. Mom examined me. “Do you want me to talk to him first?”
“If you would tell him I want to talk, I’d definitely appreciate it.”
I was seated at the kitchen table when Father came in. “You want to talk to me?”
I stood. “I do.” I made my request, finishing with, “This is the last big dance in high school except the prom. Up until this graffiti thing, which I did not do, I admit I had earned my groundings. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for an exception to my grounding for this one occasion. Especially since I was grounded based on something I flatly deny doing.”
I stood there waiting. I didn’t have long to wait.
“Denial or not, I don’t feel I can trust you at this time. No, you will complete your punishment before you can go on any date, including special occasions.” He started to turn away.
I was ready to plead. “Father …”
His expression stopped me cold. “This is not open to discussion.” He walked out of the room, leaving me standing there with my mouth open.
I was hurt and disappointed but mostly angry. I rushed up to my room and slammed the door behind me. Seething, I leaned back against the door and made a decision. I was going anyway.