Black Belt Joe

Keith’s day was filled with many emotional and physical shifts. First, the mental flashbacks. Second, his meeting with Mrs. Hinkle. Third, not knowing what was going to happen when he returned to school the following day. The best, though, was that Wilma had served a wonderful dinner of fried chicken, homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and fluffy buttermilk biscuits. For dessert she made a homemade double chocolate cream cake.

Keith could hardly keep his head up and his eyes open. He and Tom ate so much they felt as if their bellies were about to burst.

“I thought I was the big eater of the house,” Tom said as he leaned back from the dinner table. He turned to face Wilma and said “If you keep preparing meals like this I’m going to be as big as a horse.”

He looked at Keith who was smiling at his comment, and said, “How do you do it, and where does it all go?”

Keith blushed and replied, “I don’t know. I guess I work it all off while I’m exercising.”

”Well, whatever exercise workout you’re on is definitely working for you. I think I’ll have to join you if I’m going to survive these wonderful dinners Wilma keeps serving.”

Wilma smiled at the conversation between Tom and Keith as she removed the dishes from the table and took them into the kitchen.

Keith felt better than he had in quite a while, and to show his appreciation for all the Jackson’s had done for him he got up to help Wilma rinse the dishes and put them into the dishwasher.

Keith, Wilma and Tom sat in the Day room to watch the evening news. After the news was over, Wilma glanced at Keith and noticed that he had drifted off to sleep.

Keith slipped into a peaceful sleep. After eating a good meal he felt as if the peace, love and acceptance he was looking for at this time in his life was starting to bloom. He slipped deeper into the world of dreams.

… Kevis, give me back my DVD, dad brought it for me!... he did not!... yes he did, now give it back!... Dad...Dad! tell Kevis to give me back my DVD! Kevis refused to give the DVD to his brother and ran out of their bedroom trying to avoid giving it back and Keith ran after him, and they ran right into the arms of their dad.

Kyle showed the boys how disappointed he was by his expression, and told them, “You are both grounded for a month, and that means you will also miss the next month of your Kung Fu classes.”

… “So what did you get me for my birthday?” Keith asked Kevis as they sat in their room playing video games.

Looking directly into the monitor, Kevis answered, “You’ll have to wait to find out.”

Keith paused the game and looked at Kevis, who could see his brother was upset. “We agreed to tell each other what we got each other and be surprised at what mom and dad got us.”

Kevis reached over and restarted the game. “I changed my mind. I spent my whole month’s allowances on a birthday gift for you and I want to wait until tomorrow to give it to you.”

Pausing the game again, Keith, with his face as red as Kevis had ever seen, said, “That’s not fair. We agreed to share our gifts the day before our birthday, and I used almost everything I had in my Superman bank on a gift for you and I want you to see it now.” Now Kevis was furious that Keith wouldn’t wait.

Before they knew it, the brothers were on the floor wrestling. It stopped when their mom burst into their room. ”I am so disappointed to see you two fighting. You’re brothers and there’s no reason for you to be fighting like this! Your father will be talking to you when he gets home.”

Keith’s dreams switched from gray to what seemed like twenty midnights descending upon him

… Dad? … Mom? … Kevis, Where are you. The smoke … it’s black … Kevis … Kevis … Nooooo!

Unaware of the nightmare Keith was having, Wilma wanted to make sure that he got a good night’s rest since he’d be going to school the next day. She went over to wake him up to go to bed. She gently tapped him on his arm as not to startle him, but Keith didn’t respond. She tapped him on his shoulder once again.

The second time she touched him, Keith jumped out of the dream he was having, as if he was fighting off the thick black smoke he saw in his dream.

Wilma wasn’t expecting the reaction she got, and it shocked her.

In his dream, Keith was attempting to rescue Kevis and his parents. Keith grabbed Wilma by her arm shouting out loud as if he were under attack.

Tom quickly responded to the unexpected yell from his wife, and the shouts from Keith. He quickly assessed the situation, knelt down and grabbed Keith in a one arm hug and Wilma with his other arm. He whispered to Kevin that he was safe and that he was at the Jackson’s home. Gradually, Tom was able to calm Keith who held on to Tom and cried.

After Tom and Wilma made sure Keith was alright for the night, they sat at the snack counter thinking about the situation they just dealt with. Wilma was deeply concerned about the stress and pressure Keith was under, not to mention the pain and loss of his entire family. She reflected back to the brief conversation she and Mrs. Hinkle had after Keith’s last breakdown.

She poured a cup of tea for herself and for Tom, then said, “I don’t know just how much Keith can take. I mean according to the report Carol gave us regarding his history, the whole situation with losing his family, being placed in foster care, being bounced from foster home to foster home, all within a six month period. Tom, this is just too much for any child to endure.”

Tom sighed in reply, “I know, and I believe there is more to the whole picture then we know about, and I’m sure it’s­ not coming just from Keith’s side. He misses his family more than any of us can imagine, and from the interviews he had while in Child Protective Services it appears that he and his twin were inseparable in almost every way.”

Wilma glanced at the picture of her son on the wall behind Tom. “Tomorrow when you take Keith to school, I’m going to contact Carol and have her set up an appointment with Richard.”

“Why do you want Keith to see Dr. Richard Whitehead? Both Carol and Keith said that he refused to see any more counselors. The last one he was assigned to by CPS wouldn’t believe him when he told them he didn’t start that fight after school. His previous foster care parents accused him of lying and starting fights, no matter what he said. I believe that he was falsely accused of those fights.”

Wilma replied, “I know that we haven’t spoken to Richard in years, but if anyone can reach Keith and connect with him, Richard can. I intended to briefly tell him who Dr. Richard Whitehead is and that...” Wilma glanced at her son’s picture on the wall, “...our son had issues with his sexuality, he didn’t know how to accept the fact that he was gay, and we had him meet with Richard, and that he helped our son understand and accept himself.”

        Lying on his bed, Joe was thinking about the first time he saw Keith just fifty yards from his bedroom window. He’s been fighting for what seemed like his life. Joe’s life had been the experience of rejection, frustration, and embarrassment, and all because he was different. But just how different was he than others, he thought. He glanced across his room. He had posters of the New York Jets, and there were many others who loved the Jets. He looked at his Bruce Lee posters. There were many who loved martial arts and one of the best masters of them all was Bruce Lee. In fact, he thought to himself, there are many people around the world who are into the same things he was interested in. So why did people make fun of him, ridiculing him just because he was overweight? It just didn’t make sense.

Meeting Keith was the best thing that ever happened to him. Keith accepted him as he was, and not even once did he treat him any differently because of his weight, height or his looks. Keith opened up a window into his heart and mind that had been closed for years. Now Joe felt as if a part of him was missing, because Keith was living with the Jacksons. He wondered how long it would be before he would be allowed to see Keith again.

        Keith had shared his bad dream with them before they left him for the night. During the night Wilma checked in on him, and he appeared to be sleeping peacefully.

        The next morning, Keith was already up and meditating when Wilma knocked on his bedroom door.

“Keith, are you up?”

The knock brought him out of his meditation. He replied, “Yes, you can come in. I woke up early. I think it’s because I’m going back to school today.”

Wilma, with a warm welcoming smile, reached out and ran her fingers through his hair to straighten it. “That’s to be expected Keith, but I expect that you’ll be fine. Tom is taking you to school, and will fill out the necessary paperwork showing that we’re your guardians. He’ll also be with you during the meeting with the principal. So don’t worry, ok?”

Wilma seemed to always bring out a smile from Keith, and knowing that he had a full day ahead he decided that listening to what Wilma said was the best idea. He gave her a quick hug and began preparing himself for the day.

        Standing in front of the large mirror in the bathroom, Keith stared at what he saw looking back at him. What he saw surprised him. He noticed for the first time that his youthful looking face was now showing a few very short strands of hair above his top lip and a light showing of peach fuzz on his chin. Since he had been put into the foster care system he never took the time for a real good look at himself. At fourteen, and to turn fifteen in less than six months, he didn’t like the fact that he still looked like he did when he was thirteen. Now with facial hair, even just a little, he wasn’t too sure how he would end up looking.

As far as the rest of his body, the muscles gained by the workouts he and Kevis did together, along with the extra workouts he did in order to escape the tough situations he had to deal with, made the deeply defined six pack look as if it was sculptured by a fine artist. Other parts of his lower region were well proportioned to his age, adding up as the body of a very handsome teen.

Keith, being the shyer of the two brothers, never wanted attention focused on him. He kept to himself unless Kevis was around. But now for some reason it seemed like everything he did caused him to be in the spotlight.

Remembering that he had a meeting with Reggie and the Fairview High principal, he removed his pj bottoms to get ready. He turned on the shower and stepped into the flow of three shower heads at once. He remembered using the shower for the first time the night he was brought to the Jackson’s house. He hadn’t believed the massive shower and the feeling of the three shower heads hitting him from both sides and from above. After that first time he was hooked, and promised himself that he would have one in his own house some day.

        Keith joined Tom and Wilma at the breakfast table. He was surprised to see another huge spread of food, but noticed that Tom only had a bagel with cream cheese, strawberry jam, and a cup of coffee.

“Good morning Wilma, good morning, Tom.”

He sat down next to Tom and asked, “Is that all you’re going to eat?” With a broad grin, Keith continued, “Way too much for dinner last night, huh?”

Tom pretended that he didn’t see the grin on Keith’s face, said, “Not at all young man, not at all, just eating light because, as you can see, Wilma has struck again.”

Keith looked at what was on the table, and knew why Tom had said what he did. There were plates of bacon, fried ham steak, sausages, scrambled eggs, and home fried potatoes. There was also a bowl of cut up fruit, including melons, strawberries and bananas. Bagels, muffins and a stack of French toast all sat down the middle of the table.

Keith looked at Tom with his mouth agape, then at Wilma. He could not believe the amount of food on the table. And this was just breakfast.

Wilma didn’t wait to get a response from Keith so she said, “I felt you needed a full breakfast. You are headed back to school and your day is already starting out with a meeting with the principal, as well as that boy you were in the fight with.”

Keith gave Wilma a look that almost spoke out of its own accord… hungry yes… starving to death no, he replied, “Thanks, Wilma, I will do my best not to disappoint you. Keith smiled as he filled his plate. It didn’t take Keith long to finish his breakfast, and he was surprised that he ate as much as he did… ‘it must be because I am nervous.’ he thought, as he took his dishes into the kitchen to rinse and place into the dishwasher.

After brushing his teeth, Keith looked in the mirror. He said to himself, out loud, with a sigh, “I meditated and did everything Master Soo taught me, and I still feel nervous about meeting with the principal. I’m not nervous about seeing that kid Reggie again. I know that what Mrs. Hinkle said about the school rules, and I’m going to do what they requested of me. I just hope they don’t start up messing with me when teachers and the school police officer aren’t around.”

Quickly finishing up in the bathroom, Keith grabbed his book bag on the way out of his room and met Tom coming out of his room at the top of the stairs. Tom liked the fact that Keith was prompt and ready to face his new day back to school. He smiling at Keith.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m doing as well as could be expected, but I think I’ll be ok once the meeting with the principal is over.”

Tom put his hand on Keith’s shoulder. “It will be fine, the meeting is just to make clear that fighting will not be permitted by any student, and to bring peace to a situation that could have gotten way out of control.” Tom stopped, and then looking at Keith with a twinkle in his eyes said, “Have you ever driven a car?”

Keith looked surprised at the question. “No, not really, but my dad used to let me start up the car before he took me and my brother to school.”

Tom reached into his pocket. “Well, how about you start up the BMW parked in the driveway and I’ll be down as soon as I grab my briefcase from my office.”

Keith, grinning and showing his pearly white teeth, quickly grabbed the keys from Tom’s outstretched hand, and with a sharp, “Yes sir!” practically ran down the stairs and outside to start the car and wait for Tom.

In the meantime, Wilma was in the kitchen finishing up from breakfast and talking on the phone with Richard Whitehead, a family counselor, who had been their good friend for years.

Joe had just finished gathering up his things for his Music Creation class with the band conductor. He had been working on his flute solo, and after making a few adjustments to the score, he was pleased with the results. Hearing his dad calling him down for breakfast, Joe placing everything in his book bag, picked up his flute case, and went down to eat a quick breakfast. He wanted to get to school early enough to present his solo to Mr. Appleby before band rehearsal. Fortunately, this was his first class for the day.

Joe sat down at the table and poured a bowl of corn flakes and milk.

Joe’s dad poured himself a glass of apple juice, and looked at Joe.

“So, how did it go with the new arrangement?”

 “It’s great dad, and I think Mr. Appleby is going to really like what I did, just by switching around a few notes.”

“Well, Paul replied, “I think you’re a great flutist, and I’m sure he is aware of that.”

Joe blushing at his dad’s compliment about what he had accomplished. “Thanks dad,”

He noticed that his mom wasn’t at the table.

“Where’s mom?”

Paul replied, “Your mom had to go in early to do inventory of the whole Drake fountain resort and restaurant.”

Joe finished off his first bowl of cereal, and instead of making himself another remembered what he and Keith had talked about before all hell broke loose. He picked up an apple and started eating it as he took his dishes into the kitchen.

Paul said, I’ll be ready to leave and drop you off in five minutes.”

On the way out of the door, Joe reminding his dad about practice after school. His dad told him that they hadn’t forgotten and that his mom would pick him up from school on her way home from work.

Pulling up to Fairview High, Keith remembered the exact places where he’d been jumped and glancing down a few blocks where it ended, and where the beginning of a good friendship started. With all that happened during the last few days, he had little time to think about Joe, but never forgot everything Joe and his family had done for him, even to the point of wanting to adopt him. He’d also not forgotten the promise that Joe made to him. He made up his mind that he would ask the Jacksons and Mrs. Hinkle if it would be ok to visit Joe and his family after things were settled.

        Upon entering the school Keith was determined to focus on being responsible and doing his best to avoid trouble. Since He still was new to Fairview High School, he had no time to meet or make friends with anyone. He wondered if word had gotten around about the fight with Reggie, as he was sure it would. Tom and Keith walked into the school office as one of the kids who sat at the lunch room table with Reggie passed them as he was leaving the office. The boy recognized Keith and gave him a smarmy grin as he passed by. Tom noticing the visual exchange between Keith and the boy. He said nothing to Keith, but decided to wait until they were finished meeting with the principal. Tom had Keith sit down as he went to the counter to let the secretary know of their appointment with the principal.

“Good morning,” Tom said.

Smiling at Tom, the secretary said to him, “Mr. Jackson, it is good to see you again; it’s been what, three years since I last saw you.”

Tom responded, “Mildred, how are you, and yes it’s been about three years since our last child graduated from Fairview.”

“How is Wilma?”

“She’s doing fine, keeping busy as usual.”

Mildred asked, “How can I help you, Tom?”

“Tom called Keith over to him, introduced him to Mildred, and said, “Keith is in our care and I have forms to give to you. We also have an appointment with Mr. Fraser, the principal.”

Tom handed Mildred the forms from Child Protective Services, and waited as she looked them over. After reading the forms which listed Tom and Wilma as Keith’s temporary foster parents Mildred, glancing at Keith. She remembered him from last week, but he was with another family; nevertheless, it wasn’t her job to delve into what was not her business.

She smiled at Tom and said, “I will ring Mr. Fraser and let him know you and Keith are here. After your meeting with him I’ll have you sign him in.”

Tom smiled and thanked Mildred, and he and Keith returned to their seats and waited for the principal to call for them.

Ten minutes passed when Reggie and a tall man dressed in an expensive business suit walked into the office. Keith stared right at Reggie’s face, and Reggie did the same stare back. Keith showed no facial expression. Reggie walked right by Keith and Tom as if they weren’t even there, and took a seat across from them.

Reggie’s dad walked up to the counter and addressed Mildred. “Good morning, my name is Ben Zimmerman and my son Reggie has a meeting with the principal, Mr. Fraser.”

Mildred stared at him with an unpleasant expression, knowing of Reggie and the trouble he caused at the school.

She replied to Mr. Zimmerman, “Please have a seat, and Mr. Fraser will be with you in a few minutes. After taking a seat across from Tom and Keith, Mr. Zimmerman answered a call on his cell. Reggie didn’t look at Keith, rather he just looked down at the floor.

After waiting another five minutes, Mr. Fraser came out of his office. He was younger than Tom expected. Keith had never met the principal, only Mr. Barns, the assistant principal who was the one who sent him home to his previous foster parents with a letter regarding his suspension. As far as Keith was concerned, all of that was behind him and for the time being he was with a good foster family, the Jacksons, and Mr. Jackson was with him to see the principal so he could start over.

“Good morning gentlemen, I’m Mr. Fraser. Please come into my office.”

After they were all in Mr. Fraser’s office and seated, Keith didn’t want to appear nervous so he kept his mind clear of any negative thoughts.

Mr. Fraser started the meeting by saying, “First of all before we get started, I want to make it clear to both of you, Reggie and Keith, that we have a zero tolerance level for fighting. Looking directly at Reggie he added, “And derogatory words or statements towards any one here at Fairview can lead to expulsion.” With a stern look at both boys he added, “Do I make myself clear?”

Answering back as if they were given orders by a drill sergeant they both answered “Yes Sir!”

Mr. Fraser continued, “I read the reports from the staff, and also statements from the students who were willing to step up and tell what they saw and heard.”

Looking at Keith he said, “Mr. Wesley, according to the report from the teachers and statements from some of our students everything that you told Mr. Barns is true. However, fighting of any kind is not allowed on this campus. I understand that there was also another incident that took place off campus.”

Keith looked down to the floor after Mr. Fraser mentioned the fight near Joe’s house.

Continuing, Mr. Fraser said, “If you are being harassed by any student, glancing at Reggie, then back at Keith, “you need to tell any of our teachers or staff and it will be dealt with. Under no circumstances are you to take matters into your own hands, do I make myself clear?”

Replying, Keith said, “Yes sir.”

Mr. Fraser had been working with kids from elementary school to high school, and he had pretty good judgment when it came to kids who were trouble makers and those who came to school to be good students and tried to get along with their peers. He could tell that Keith was one of those better students. To confirm that he looked through Keith’s file and read about the previous fights Keith was involved in and what provoked those fights.

Turning his attention to Reggie, Mr. Fraser picking up his file and walking over to where Reggie and his dad were sitting. He brought the file close so Mr. Zimmerman could see it.

Mr. Fraser said, “I want you to see all of the markings in orange and red.” Looking down at the file Reggie’s dad’s face tightened up as Mr. Fraser explained what thee colors meant. “As you can see,” Mr. Fraser told him, “the orange highlights mean that he had detentions due to insubordinate behavior. The red highlights are detentions due to fights that were provoked by Reggie. In addition, there are four suspensions issued last year for bullying and fighting. I have spoken to Reggie on several occasions about his behavior, and though he has not physically put his hands on Keith, he provoked him and instigated the lunch room incident, and I hope for his sake that he had no part in the fight between Keith and one of Reggie’s friends.”

Furious hearing the accusations being told him about his son, Mr. Zimmerman’s face was red with anger. “Look,” Mr. Zimmerman said to Mr. Fraser, “it seems to me that all of you have an issue with my son. I know he can be a blockhead at times, but to blame him for every incident where a weak kid gets their butt kicked, I mean get into a fight, isn’t fair to my son...”

Mr. Fraser didn’t let Mr. Zimmerman raging phase him at all. He interrupted Mr. Zimmerman and told him, “Reports on all of these incidents that are color coded on Reggie’s report were mailed to your house explaining your son’s behavior. Those letters requested that you phone to schedule a visit with our assistant principal, Mr. Barns...”

As Mr. Fraser continued discussing the list of incidents his son was involved in with Reggie’s dad, Keith looked at Reggie and was surprised at what he saw. Instead of an arrogant teen, he saw a sad and defeated boy looking down to the floor, and unless his eyes were fooling him, he thought he saw a couple tear drops fall to the floor.

“… So,” Mr. Fraser said to Mr. Zimmerman, “the reason I am showing this to you is so that you know first-hand what your son is doing in school. We are an educational institution governed by the state of Florida to educate not only your child, but every student enrolled here at Fairview High School. Closing up Reggie’s file and looking at Reggie Mr. Fraser said, “It is not my intension to fail any student as long as they show that they are doing their very best. According to your son’s records his grades are borderline, and are in dire need of improvement if he wishes to advance; however, he can surely improve them if he focus on his class work and completes all of his homework assignments.”

Looking at Tom and then at Mr. Zimmerman he said, “I called this meeting with Keith and Reggie and his parents to see me this morning to clear up what might have turned into a bad situation for them both, which ultimately would result in receiving suspension and or expulsion letters. I for one don’t wish to see that happen, do you Mr. Zimmerman?” ,

With all trace of rage completely gone, Reggie’s dad shook his head, showing he did not want his son to be suspended or expelled.

Mr. Fraser turned to Tom. Tom agreed as well.

Walking over to stand in front of the boys he said, “Instead of having Keith apologize to you Reggie, I want you both to think about everything I said and shared with your parents, and do what you both think is the right thing to do.”

Keith was way ahead of Mr. Fraser’s thinking. Turning to face Reggie, Keith reaching out his hand said, “I’m willing to put what happen behind me and start over, will you be willing to do the same?”

When Reggie raised up his head to look at Keith, it confirmed what he thought he had first seen in Reggie’s eyes. What happen to him? He was not the same Reggie who harassed him in the cafeteria. Instead of Keith openly apologizing to Reggie, Reggie said to Keith, “I’m sorry for the things I said to you.” Looking into Keith’s eyes for a couple seconds, he lowered his head to again stare at the floor.

Surprised at what Reggie had done brought a smile to Mr. Fraser’s face. “Ok boys, I think that will prevent unnecessary issues from something that will not benefit you both, and I hope instead of being enemies, you both can work together to help stop this from happening to your peers. I think we are done here; does anyone have any more to add to what was said and done? After getting no reply from anyone, he sent the boys to Mildred to get passes so they could return to class, and he thanked both Tom and Mr. Zimmerman for coming in.

Once they were outside Mr. Fraser’s office Tom noticed Mr. Zimmerman staring at him. While they were in the principal’s office he had also noticed him glancing at him as well. Taking a closer look at Reggie’s dad he thought he recognized him, but he wasn’t quite sure. That is, until Mr. Zimmerman said with an uncertain tone to his voice, “Ah … excuse me Mr. Wesley...”

Tom interrupted him saying, I’m sorry, but my name is not Mr. Wesley, I am Keith’s guardian. My name is Tom Jackson.”

At the mention of his name, Mr. Zimmerman’s face turned white as a ghost. . Tom seeing the changed expression on his face asked, “Are you ok? Is something wrong?”

Coming out from what seem like shock, Mr. Zimmerman asked, “Um … are you Judge Thomas Jackson?”

Tom looked directly into his face and finally knew who Mr. Zimmerman was, or at least who he used to be when he was a fifteen year old drug dealer on the streets of South Florida.

Tom smiled and said, “Ben Zimmerman, it’s been what, twenty years since we last saw each other?”

Mr. Zimmerman, now recognized by Tom because of his nickname Ben, said, “Yes Judge Jackson, it’s been a very long time since I stood before you.”

 “What a surprise,” Tom replied. “Yes, a surprise indeed. How are you, and what happened to you? From what I can see I assume you are on the better side of life.”

Ben’s whole attitude changed from a cocky business appearance to that of an innocent angel in a matter of seconds. Answering Tom with a wide grin on his face, “First I want to thank you, Judge Jackson, for giving me a second and a third chance. The program that you placed me in not only helped me confront and deal with my addiction to drugs, but it taught me to respect myself and the lives I was hurting by selling them drugs.”

Keith and Reggie sat across the room waiting for their fathers before returning to class. They saw Tom and Ben both smiling and were curious about what brought on such happy expressions.

“I am happy to hear that Ben, I’m sorry we have to meet on these conditions, but I’m sure the boys will work out what’s between them.”

Ben nodded his agreement. Continuing, he shared with Tom that after graduating from the program he completed his high school diploma, enrolled directly into community college, after which he transferred to Miami University and received his Master’s degree in Architecture and Design. He now owned his own business deigning stores for some of the biggest retail chains in the state and across the nation.

Tom was elated to see one of the many youth he helped find a way out of trouble had achieved success. After conversing, they walked over to where the boys waited, and shared with Keith and Reggie that they were acquainted.

Ben left after reminding his son that they would be talking after dinner that evening. Reggie gave a little smile to Keith and headed for his locker.

Before Tom left he spoke to Keith. “I’m proud of you. You did a great job during the meeting with Mr. Fraser. It looks like you and Reggie might just get along in the future. Enjoy your day at school. And remember, Wilma will be here to pick you up at 2:45.”

Keith thanked Tom for everything and made his way to his Biology 1 class which had already started. Because he had a pass he stopped at his locker to drop off the books he wouldn’t need the first half of the day then hurried to class.

Joe was excited that Mr. Appleby loved the changes he made on his flute solo. After playing it for him before class started, Mr. Appleby suggested that he perform it for the Orchestra during the after school practice, to which Joe readily agreed.

Joe’s morning was pleasant and it quickly passed by as the first lunch bell rang. Joe placed his flute in his locker then quickly rushed to the cafeteria so he wouldn’t be at the end of the line. Lunch was only forty-five minutes, and if it took him fifteen to twenty minutes to get through the long line to get his food and sit with his friends it would only leave thirty minutes or less to eat and talk with his fellow band members.

After selecting a cheeseburger and salad, a half pint of milk and a piece of cherry pie, Joe went to join his friends. As he passed by a table where the red head kid he saw the prior day sat by himself. Joe smiled and winked, and continued to his table. The boy, new to the school, stared at Joe. Having no idea why the big kid had paid for his lunch the day before, but he knew he had to find out who he was and thank him for what he did.

On the coast of California, Kim made a few calls to close contacts. All were friends of the honorable Judge Clarence D. Armstrong. A crooked inside network of court officials that for a handout, a political donation to an unworthy cause, one that came back to them, were able to make papers disappear, and hold up court cases for months, sometimes years. This crooked network even made contact with the Suttons and the Chases, and encouraged them to do what they could to force Keith into permanent status at a state run facility.

Kim and Jack didn’t care one bit for Keith; their only objective was the millions of dollars more they would gain from the insurance settlement, along with obtaining seventy percent of the Wesley enterprise shares, with fake reports showing that Keith was deceased. They planned to have the network switch the names on a death certificate. It took a lot of work to do that, searching for a body that resembled Keith. So far their plans seem to be moving along, and Kim was doing everything in her power to make sure it stayed that way.

Keith had no reoccurring incidents during lunch like those he had his first week at Fairview. In fact, none of Reggie’s buddies said anything, only a few gave Keith a defiant stare, but none came from Reggie as he sat with his friends watching Keith as he passed by. Looking into Reggie’s face, he could still see a bit of sadness.

Not wanting to be caught staring at Reggie, Keith went to the other side of the cafeteria to eat his lunch alone. During his afternoon classes, he got only a couple of verbal kickback from a few of the Jocks on the basketball team like, skinny fag, pretty boy, and so on. Recalling what Tom told him, Keith was able to ignore these negative comments.

Keith’s last class for the day was PE. He didn’t want to go through any more harassment, so he decided to go to the office to ask if he could be excused. Mr. Fraser saw him coming into the office.

“Hi, Keith, is there a problem? The bell for the last period rang already.”

Not expecting to run into the principal, Keith explained to Mr. Fraser about the negative comments he got during the afternoon.

Mr. Fraser frowned. “Keith, you need to report that kind of verbal assault to the teacher for that class. If you don’t say anything they’ll continue doing it.”

Keith knew he was right, but he did not want things to escalate into something that he would regret later. Looking at the principal he said, “Yes Mr. Fraser, I know that’s why I’m here at the office. Is it ok if I sit out PE in the office? I saw the look some of the guys in my PE class gave me during lunch and in some of my classes. I just don’t want any trouble from them.”

Taking Keith into his office, Mr. Fraser explained to Keith that he should not run or hide from PE or any student in his PE class. “From what I was told, it seems as if you know how to handle yourself.”

Keith realized that someone must have told Mr. Fraser about the fight off campus. He remembered that Mr. Fraser mentioned he was aware of that fight.

Thinking about what Mr. Fraser had said, Keith replied, “I just don’t want any trouble.”

Reaching on his desk wrote a pass for Keith to return to PE and handed it to him.

“Keith, you’re going to be ok. Mr. Fuller, your PE instructor, is fully aware of your situation and you have nothing to worry about. If anything happens, just go to Mr. Fuller, immediately. Ok?”

Not completely convinced, Keith reluctantly he went back to his PE class, getting a few hard stares as he handed Mr. Fuller his late pass from the principal.

His PE class had stretch and flexing day. All of those in the class had to line up and Mr. Fuller assigned each student a workout partner. Keith was surprised when he was assigned Reggie to be his partner. In the first set of exercises they had to bend down touching their toes with their fingertips, then gradually reach down as far as they could. Because Keith was already very flexible due to all of the martial arts workouts and meditation, he was touching the floor with the palm of his hands. He was unaware of the stare Reggie was giving him, until he noticed that Reggie had stopped all together.

Staring at Keith in amazement, Reggie asked, “Man, how do you do that?”

Keith looked at Reggie like he didn’t understand.

“What do you mean, do what?”

“You can touch the floor with the palm of your hand.”

Not wanting to make a big deal of it, Keith told Reggie, “I like to stretch. I do it every night before I go to bed, and in the morning when I wake up.”

“Wow,” Reggie said, “what more can you do?”

Just then the PE teacher had the teams work on balancing on one foot, then switching to the other. Keith was so used to doing slow movement exercising called Tichi that he easily stood one foot for five minutes, while Reggie lost his balance after less than one minute.

Unnoticed by Keith, the PE teacher paid very close attention to what Keith was able to do.

When PE was over, Reggie was very impressed by all he saw Keith could do, and with ease. Keith gained new found respect from Reggie. Maybe, just maybe, he thought, Reggie might be friend material.

Since PE was his last period, he could either take a shower in the boy’s locker room or go home. Not feeling comfortable with the rest of the guys in his PE class, he chose to just grab his books from his locker and wait for Wilma to pick him up from in front of the school. Keith thought about how his first day back at Fairview went better than he expected, especially with Reggie.

The Advanced Orchestra was gathering on stage for an extra practice session prior to the school’s open competition night, and Joe was also performing the solo piece he rearranged. The performance was three weeks away, and a few lines from the piece played by different instruments needed to work out a few kinks. Getting the attention of the band by tapping his baton on his music stand, Mr. Appleby announced that the band had a new member. Upon hearing what their teacher just said, they all settled down to see who he was talking about. Mr. Appleby asked the new member to stand as he introduced him to the rest of the band,

“I am pleased to present to you Mr. Todd Williams.”

Joe was surprised to see the red haired kid he rescued from the lunch line the other day.

Continuing with his introduction, Mr. Appleby said, “Todd is a transfer from Wayne Peterson High and will be sitting in second chair in the trombone section, let’s welcome Todd Williams to Advanced Orchestra.”

Todd’s face turned as red as his hair. He spotted Joe as he stood up to accept his welcome, and finally he smiled.

Razor had not answered any of the texts that Kim or Jack sent to him. This worried Jack because after spending eight years in the army with Razor, he was fully aware of just how dangerous he could be. The information given to Razor by Kim should have lead him to the Sutton’s. All he was supposed to do was follow Keith’s trail and report back to them, but for two days they heard nothing from him.

Jack made a call to Razor’s brother Rooster. He knew that, if needed, if there was anyone who could stop Razor it would be rooster.

Riding through the back roads of the neighborhood, Razor glanced at the address on his cell, looked for a green and white house with a black mail box mounted on top of a bricked mini tower, to match the information on his cell. The name posted across the bricks should say The Suttons. Looking up from his cell, he looked right at the house described. As not to be seen approaching the house, he by passed it, choosing to park in the next block behind it. Casing out the area around the house and then the house itself, he preceded to walk around the back side of the house to the front door. Knocking on the door, a lady in her late fifties came to the door regretting that she ever opened it. Razor quickly rushed in the house with the crazed look that usually preceded him before a kill.