Inveigle

Chapter Twenty-Six: Where Morale is High

I plastered a smile on my face and gave a short apology. It had to be Boss, or maybe Aunt Sarah Gene. Who else knew where I was? My heart quickened at the thought of possible news on Sam's whereabouts.

"Hello?" I said into the phone.

There were some muffled noises on the other end. Followed by a gruff, "Speak."

"Cora, I'm okay. I-," the sound of Sam's voice sent flutters throughout my body. Then there was a thud and a silence.

I looked back at the group of teachers. Their faces dull and worn with the tragedies they had been living through. I kept the smile on my face.

A deeper breathing came through the phone line, "Start over," scratched the voice. Then the line went dead.

Gently I set the phone back on the receiver. My heart pounded in my ears. I was a mixed bag of emotions. Sam was alive and well enough to talk, but Persim somehow knew I was at the school. I could almost feel Pathos rubbing my shoulder comfortingly.

She's trying to rattle you.

I know, Logos. The smile felt so fake I wanted to puke.

"Are you going to talk to our kids today, or what?" A teacher with jeans and a school spirit T-shirt snapped.

"Oh," I paused. I didn't know I was speaking today. But I already knew what Logos would coach before he said it.

Don't act surprised. They need help. Give it today or tomorrow, it doesn't matter.

"Yes, of course. What time were you thinking?" I asked.

The students filed into the gymnasium at a slow march. Another stupid pep rally was tattooed across their faces. The walls of the gym were barren. The coach had already packed away all of the awards from years long past in lieu of the school closing at the end of the year. The principal looked at me. His eyes were filled with desperation. I could hear his eyes saying, "This won't work, but the school can't not try."

"Students and staff, we welcome a special guest today. She is here to support us. Please give a warm welcome to Ms. Cora Carpenter." There was a half hearted applause from about 30% of the school. The rest just sat with their eyes glazed over and turned in my general direction.

When I stepped up to the podium, confidence filled me. It felt slightly fake, but Pathos had used her gift to hide my fear symptoms after the phone call. I knew I had Pathos and Logos to guide my words, "Students, I address you here today not to waste my or your time. My words will not fall on deaf ears. You sit here, a school struck by tragedy, but from tragedy comes the best stories of human strength. Mourn your lost classmates not with tears, but with action. Your community needs you. Too many of us live in situations that are deemed below standard for our country, and the only solutions presented make us feel like the problem. Human life has no standard. It has no norm. Humans survive in the worst of times, by doing something about it to achieve the best of times. Your school is not the problem, and you are not the problem. You are the answer. Raise your hand if you want to be proud of your community, your hometown."

The hands raised, slowly at first, but soon every hand was in the air, including the staff.

"Let's show the world that Parks Middle school is proud of their community. We may not shine like the sunlight off Persim Tower's windows, but what we don't reflect we make up for with an internal light."

The gymnasium boomed with applause. Chatter among the teens began to burst out of them. I felt a glow as students raised their hands with ideas for healthy grieving, school improvement, and community involvement. A gold mist intertwined with a mossy green mist seemed to swirl around the room. I blinked and the colors were gone. The staff and I helped to split the teens into interest groups. We walked around to support them.

A group of students volunteered to voice their opinions at the school board meeting later that night. I promised them I would be there.

The turnout at the school board meeting was unprecedented. Practically the entire student body of not only the middle school, but the high school showed up. The cafeteria of the high school, where the board meetings were held, was packed. Students and their families held signs out into the school yard and adjacent park protesting the shut down of the school.

"We're worth it."

"Moving doesn't solve problems."

The signs filled me with pride. This was now the third protest in years in the entire country! News vans were arriving on scene.

When the school board granted the school another probational year, the cheer was deafening.

Cherry Reeds found me as I left the building and cornered me with lights. "Ms. Carpenter, do you think this small victory will gain you support in the coming debate?"

"The support of the united community is all I need."

"Do you have a comment for what President Persim said earlier today?"

Here I was caught off guard. I hadn't seen the news since last night when Robert had come over with his laptop. I had no phone, and Aunt Sarah Gene didn't have cable."

"I see," said Cherry with a smile. "So you haven't heard."