The following day I didn’t go to school because I’d been suspended. I didn’t sleep well, my stomach was sour and I felt as if I were coming down with the flu. Around midmorning I turned on the television to catch the news and to my surprise and horror, reporter Angela Rivers was doing a follow-up story on the Ecstasy problem in my neck of the woods.
“Tonight school board officials in District 411 will have to face residents who are angered and outraged that the student charged with possession of the drug Ecstasy has only been suspended and not expelled from the school. Many residents say that their quiet close-knit suburban community now has a black eye because of the drug scandal, and many of them are not happy about it.”
Angela paused briefly while video interviews played of
residents talking about how they wanted school officials to get rid of any
student who was involved in any way with the drugs. My heart began to beat very
fast and I began to panic and hyperventilate. I couldn’t believe how serious the
residents were about kicking me out of the neighborhood.
“The school board meeting begins at seven o’clock tonight, and many of the residents I spoke with said they planned to be there to express their views and concerns.”
Angela concluded her report, and I turned off the television. I now felt sicker than I ever had before.
That evening I sat in the family room with Mike and watched the school board meeting on our local community cable channel. The meeting was held inside the high school cafeteria, and it was packed with parents and students from not only my high school but other high schools within my district. I watched as they talked about issues regarding building repairs, school supplies and funding for extracurricular activities. Everything seemed to be going fine and no one mentioned anything about the drug problem until they reached a part on the agenda that called for open comment. Then, all hell broke loose. Parents were yelling at the board members about protecting their children. One person even wanted random searches of student lockers. Then some lady stood up and attacked Barbara directly.
“Mrs. Kendall, I’ve heard that this drug problem didn’t seem to appear until your stepdaughter began attending Thornwood High School. It is also rumored that she is the one actually behind all of this. In light of this, don’t you think it would be wise for you to step down as school board president?” My heart dropped when I heard that lady ask such a mean question.
“Oh, go to hell, lady,” Mike shouted at the television screen.
“Why would she ask a question like that?” I asked Mike. I didn’t like Barbara very much but I certainly didn’t wish for her to be put on public display. In my mind I knew that she was going to say something negative about me and I didn’t know if I could take hearing it. Barbara repositioned herself in her seat before speaking into the microphone.
“To place such a heavy blame on my stepdaughter would be unfair. Let’s keep in mind that what you’ve heard are only allegations. She has not and never has been convicted of a crime.”
“So are you saying that she didn’t have the drugs in her locker?” The woman pressed the issue.
“No, what I’m saying is you’re asking me about a personal situation with my family that I feel is inappropriate to bring up at this meeting.”
“Get her, Momma,” Mike shouted out. It was the first time that I realized just how strong Barbara was.
“However, to ease your concerns I will tell you that I believe my stepdaughter has been wrongly accused and that I do not believe she has or ever did intend to become a dope pusher. My family and I stand united with her, and we will have our day in court where her innocence will be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.”
“That’s right, Mama, you tell them. They just can’t push us around.” Mike continued to taunt the television. My jaw hit the floor. I couldn’t believe Barbara actually defended me. I was speechless and didn’t know what to think. I looked at Mike, who pressed the mute button on the television.
“So do you believe me?” I asked him.
“My mom went through your bedroom like a mad woman. She thought for sure she’d find a hidden stash of something, but she didn’t. This morning on my way to school she shared a family secret that I never knew about. Her older sister used to be on drugs, and she watched how it destroyed her and my grandparents. Eventually she got help, but not until after a whole lot of emotional damage. Anyway, she was glad that she didn’t find anything. The fact that she didn’t gave you credibility in her eyes. You have to understand something, Keysha. I may have been mean to you but I never wanted any harm to come to you. Even after you hit me with the broomstick, I wasn’t mad at you because I knew that I had it coming. When I saw you at the dance club I knew something wasn’t right. You weren’t yourself at all. After you left me I tried to find Liz because I wanted to know what the deal was. I wanted to know why you were acting so differently. When I couldn’t find her I started searching for you again. One of the guys on the football team told me you were out in the parking lot and several guys were taunting you. By the time I got back out there with the guys, you had fallen to the ground and they were about to have their way with you. That just wasn’t cool. Even if I did fight with you all the time, I wasn’t going to stand by and watch them violate you.”
Mike paused in thought and I suddenly saw him as a completely different person. He’d actually come to my rescue when I needed help. Now that I was thinking clearly, I saw that the entire family was standing by my side. No one was going to leave me hanging.
“Thank you,” I said and remained quiet for a moment. “What about you? Do you believe me?” I held my breath as I awaited his answer.
“Yeah, I believe you,” he said as he turned the volume back up. I wanted to hug him. I wanted him to know that it meant a great deal to me to have his support.
“I’m so lucky to have a kid brother like you,” I said. I draped my arm over his shoulder and gave him a big hug. It felt so good to have a family who cared about me. I wanted to cry again, but I didn’t because I knew Mike would think that I was way too emotional. I enjoyed that moment we had with each other and looked forward to having more of them because I knew that I’d need them, especially once the trial began.