LENNY'S STAY IN MY ROOM was indeed short-lived. He was moved when a suitable eighth grade teacher was found. He behaved well the entire time and didn't test me at all. He probably thought I was a raving lunatic, someone to be avoided, who might kill on impulse. Still, he seemed to enjoy our motivational approach and the no-pressure atmosphere of class. I felt bad knowing I couldn't take him for the year, it probably would've been a great help to him.
When June rolled around and Lenny was headed for high school, the school breathed a sigh of relief. Some of the teachers who'd left because of Lenny tried to get their jobs back.
Occasionally, I'd see him around the neighborhood when I drove back and forth to work. We'd speak for a few minutes and then go our separate ways. For the most part, however, he was long gone and out of our hair. In fact, I'd just about forgotten about him until he paid me an unexpected visit.
At the end of the following school year, Lenny walked into my room one day after school. I was busy putting work on the board for the next day. At first, I did a double take because I didn't recognize him. He had grown a few inches since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community School.
"Yo, Mr. Laz," he announced as he strode through the doorway. "What's happenin'?"
"Hey, if it isn't Lenny himself," I said. "In 3-D! He walks. He talks. He breathes!"
We gave each other a warm, inner-city handshake, first locking fingers, then interlocking thumbs, and concluding with a slightly raised closed fist.
"You is one jive honkey, Mr. Laz," he complimented.
"How's school going? You doing all right?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm doing good this year," he said. "You know, high school's different. It's more mature. I'm more mature."
"That's great, Lenny. I'm happy to hear that."
"Yeah. Well...uh. I came to ask you a special favor."
"No problem, pal," I said. "Name it."
He didn't say anything.
"You sure everything is okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, positive, Mr. Laz," he said. "It's just that it's a special favor. I'm not sure if you would do it."
"Hey, you know me, Lenny," I replied. "If there's any way I can help you out, I'll be more than happy to do it."
"It's about my exams."
"If you're talking about tutoring, sure," I said. "I'll help you. But it's gonna have to be after school."
"No, man. I'm not talking tutoring," he said, still reluctant to tell me his special request.
"You need some money?" I asked.
"No, no. Nothing to do with that either."
"C'mon man," I said. "What's on your mind? What you tell me stays right here between us."
"Well, it's about my exams."
"No, sorry. I can't take 'em for ya. Besides, I'd probably flunk 'em anyhow."
"I thought I could hit you up for some extra mojo," he said.
"Yeah, go on," I said. "This is getting interesting."
"Well, I wanna know if I can have one of those Jew-hats for luck?"
I almost did a somersault, right then and there.
"You what? You gotta be joking!"
"No man, I'm serious," he said. "That's what I came to see you about. Hey, if you can't do it, I understand."
He started to walk out of the room, obviously disappointed.
"Where ya going?" I called out. "I never said I wouldn't do it for you. It's just not an everyday request around here. I mean, you kinda took me by surprise."
I walked over to my desk, opened up a drawer, took out a spare "Jew-hat" and handed it to him.
His eyes lit up.
"Thanks a lot, Mr. Laz," he said, as he stuffed the yarmulka into his pocket. "Thanks a lot! I really appreciate it. I'm gonna do all right this year!"
"You really gonna wear that?" I asked rather skeptically.
"Yeah, sure," he said. "That's what I came for, didn't I?"
"Lenny, remember it only works if you study. Got it?"
He nodded as he headed out of the room.
"Lenny," I called out. "You're the best looking black Jew I've seen in a long time."
"Thanks, Mr. Laz" he yelled out as he zoomed down the stairs.
"I must be dreaming," I said out loud, pinching myself. "I've got to be dreaming!"
I quickly ran to a window and watched in utter amazement when, once outside, Lenny put my yarmulka on top of his Afro and jive-walked down the street.