Romans Road Detour

by Todie West

  “Here comes your van. You be careful and I’ll miss you. I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you, too, Son. Thanks for keeping Tabby company while I’m gone.”

  “No problem.”

  The large van pulled up to its last stop before heading to the airport. Bessie kissed Michael on the cheek and they hugged each other tightly and said their final goodbyes. Bessie and the other nine missionaries waved at Michael as the van pulled away.

  “Well, Tabby, it’s just me and you. Let’s have some breakfast.” Michael poured himself a cup of coffee and a bowl of Cheerio’s. He took his red pen to the papers spread across the kitchen table. Tabby circled the kitchen and purred. “It’s okay, she’ll be back before you know it.”

  Chapter 2

  Every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse the history of his own country. (Noah Webster, on the Education of Youth in America, 1788)

  It had been an uneventful day at school, except for breaking up a fight between two boys over who was going to be first out the door for recess. Their altercation earned them both a seat at their desks during all recesses for the day, and an extra half an hour after school helping Mr. Webster tidy up the classroom.

  By late afternoon, after being awake since 4:00 a.m., Michael felt as if it was Friday, not Monday. He shoved Tabby off the sofa and grabbed the remote control, but his channel surfing never made it to ESPN before he fell asleep. But his power nap was cut short by the sound of the doorbell.

  “Hey, Brad, come on in. What’s happening?”

  “Oh, Marnie is having some kind of home party tonight, Tupperware, or Avon, or who knows. Bunch of housewives. Thought you might be watching the football game. When did your mom leave on her trip?”

  “At 4 this morning. Who’s watching your kid?”

  “The next door neighbor.”

  “I forgot all about Monday Night Football. Actually I fell asleep.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yeah, got up early to see Mom off. Guess it caught up with me.”

  “Good for you. I’m sure she appreciated that.”

  “Yeah, she did. Hey, you want some leftover fried chicken? How about a beer?”

  “Your mother lets you have beer in her house?”

  “She’s gone for six months, remember? She is supposed to call tonight, though, to let me know she got there okay.”

  “Does she have enough pictures of Jesus on the walls? And those cute little embroidered sayings, did she make all of those herself?”

  “I guess. I was thinking about taking them down until she gets back. They kind of bug me.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean. Like a visit to my granny’s. It’s like God’s watching every move you make. I always wanted to steal cookies from her cookie jar, but I knew God would tell her about it.”

  “And what if I want to entertain the ladies?” Michael mused.

  The two young men laughed and reminisced about their tree climbing days and fishing trips up at the lake, paying little attention to the ball game, except when a touchdown was scored. Neither one had a favorite team, but just enjoyed the camaraderie.

  “I guess I better be getting home. I think the hens are probably finished with their cackling session.”

  “You real busy at the shop? I need you to look at my car sometime.”

  “Sure just bring it in. I might have to order the parts for that old bug.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot. Wednesday night’s the first game of the baseball playoffs. You think the wife will let you out for a few hours?”

  “Yeah, I think, so. She’d probably rather I watch it here than at home. I can’t believe we’re already in the playoffs. I hope the A’s make it into the Series this year. Hey, did you know Jason’s back in town? Maybe we can get him to join us.”

  “Really, where’s he staying?”

  “At his mom’s, at least until he decides what to do next.”

  “What are his choices?”

  “He can either reenlist, join the Reserves, or just get a job. I guess he could go back to school and the Army might help him out on that.”

  “He’s done already? Wow, it doesn’t seem possible. Time sure flies when you’re having fun.”

  “Oh, yeah. Wait ‘til you have a wife and a kid. They sure make life interesting.”

  “If you can get a hold of him, ask him to come on by.”

  “What time’s the game?”

  “I think it’s at 5:30.”

  “I’ll call you tomorrow. I better get home.”

  “Yeah, I think I hear her calling.”

  “Very funny. Talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Later.”

  Brad, Jason, and Michael had all played high school baseball and basketball together. Brad was African-American, tall, and very athletic. He and Michael were built very much alike, while Jason was a little shorter with broad shoulders. The trio had triple dated several times in high school. Brad and Michael each ended up marrying their dates. Jason’s girlfriend dumped him as soon as he signed up for the Army.

  Michael shut the door and nearly tripped over the cat. “Watch out, Tabby. Are you hungry? You didn’t eat your supper. You miss your mama, don’t you.” Tabby followed Michael into the kitchen.

  * * *

  School had only been in session for a little over a month. Michael hoped sooner or later he would see the kids actually learn something. For the first couple of weeks, all he did was break up fights and keep them under control. Although he didn’t feel he belonged in an elementary school, he was still driven to teach and couldn’t wait to see the excitement when at least one of his students was able to grasp a new concept or accomplish something they never dreamed possible. One thing Michael’s mother had always told him, If you can influence just one young mind, it’s all worth it.

  Michael was out of ideas, until he read an article in a magazine about a new program. He had nothing to lose, so he decided to give it a try. The article set out parameters for a small town atmosphere in the classroom, where the kids would elect a mayor and city council. He would give them each a job title and they would get paid for doing their job. They would each receive a checkbook and learn how to balance it. They would have bills to pay and fines for misbehaving. Minor discipline problems would be handled through a jury trial with the students as jurors and Michael as judge. They would decide the fate of the perpetrators. Hopefully this would teach them about civics, law, politics, some practical skills to use in everyday life and, at the same time, he might be able to get a handle on the discipline problem.

  After introducing the new program to the students, they seemed excited and wanted to learn more. Michael didn’t implement the entire program all at once, explaining a little bit each day, so they would grasp each element clearly before moving on to the next.

  * * *

  As Michael was preparing to leave for another day in the sixth grade trenches, his mother finally called.

  “Mom, is that you? I was getting worried.”

  “I’m sorry. We got in so late, I thought I should wait until today to call. You doing’ okay? How’s Tabby?”

  “Tabby and I are doing just fine, Mom. And yes, we do miss you. How was your flight?”

  “Oh, it was great. I’ll have to tell you about someone I met on the plane.”

  “A man?”

  Bessie was used to Michael’s relentless teasing about prospective boyfriends. “Heavens, no. I’ll tell you about it another time. We have to leave here in a few minutes to go to the orphanage.”

  “Well, keep your phone charged up, in case I need to call you. I know you never turn it on, that it’s only for emergencies, but what if I have an emergency?”

  “I know. I’ll keep it charged and check it every day. Oh, they’re ready to go. I’ll call you la
ter in the week.”

  “Okay, Mom. I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  * * *

  After school the next day, as Michael sat at the kitchen table correcting papers, the phone rang.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, Mike. It’s Brad. I got a hold of Jason and he’ll be over tonight. I told him to bring the beer. I can bring some chips and dip.”

  “Oh, the old lady’s going to let you out of the house again?”

  “She’s more than happy to have me out of her way. I think she gets tired of all the sports on TV.”

  “If we want some real food, Mom stocked the fridge before she left.”

  “Okay, so we’ll see you at 5:30?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Michael finished correcting papers and checked his emails. He read the sports page and turned on the pre-game show. It was a warm, fall evening and he could see Jason and Brad through the screen door.

  “Come on in, Guys.”

  “Hey, Mike, how’s it going, Man?” Jason gave Mike a fist pump and handed him the case of beer.

  “Alright, let’s get this party started.” Michael put three beers on the coffee table and the rest in the fridge.

  “It’s been a long time,” Jason exclaimed.

  “Too long. When’d you get back?” asked Michael.

  “Last weekend. Staying’ with my mom until I decide what to do next. I’m thinking about going through the police academy.”

  “Cool! I hope you get a job here in Drake Valley, so I’ll have someone to fix my tickets for me,” Brad chuckled.

  “Brad, you just need to learn how to drive,” Michael joked.

  The three old friends visited, ate, and drank as they watched the baseball game.

  “Hey, Mike, someone’s at the door,” Brad announced.

  Michael turned down the television and got up to answer it.

  “Hi, Michael.”

  “Pastor Dan. I talked to Mom yesterday. She sounded good. She didn’t send you over to check on me already, did she?”

  The pastor did not seem his usual, jovial self. He invited himself in, stating, “I have something really important to tell you.”

  Michael could sense solemnity in Pastor Dan’s voice. “Come on in, Rev. These are my friends, Brad and Jason. We were just watching the ball game.” Michael motioned to Brad to cover up the beer cans.

  “Hi, Guys. Nice to meet you. Say, can I sit down?”

  “Oh, sure, sit here.” Michael cleared the newspapers off of his mother’s recliner rocker.

  “You might want to sit down, too, Michael.”

  “What is it?”

  “Michael, I really don’t know how to tell you this, but …”

  “You want us to leave?” Brad and Jason chimed in unison.

  “No, it’s okay. Go ahead, Rev. What’s going on?”

  “Your mother has been in an accident.”

  “Accident? Is she okay? What happened?” Michael’s heart dropped into his stomach.

  “No, she’s not okay. I’m so sorry Michael. She was hit by a car as she was getting off the bus at the orphanage this morning.”

  “How bad is it?”

  “Michael. Your mother is dead.”

  “What? No! There’s been some kind of mistake. Maybe they’ve got the wrong person.”

  “No, I’m sorry, Michael. Ruben Blackwood, one of the other missionaries called.”

  “Oh, Michael, I’m so sorry.” Brad put his arm around Michael’s shoulders.

  “Yeah, Mike, if there’s anything we can do?”

  “I don’t believe it. There has to be some kind of mistake. She went down there to work at the orphanage, do God’s work, and God just decides he doesn’t want her working there? I don’t get it. God is playing with my life again. What the hell!”

  “Michael, I know you’re upset, but maybe tomorrow we should get together and talk,” Pastor Dan suggested.

  “Talk about what? This is crazy.”

  “Her body is being flown back here in a few days. That will give us time to plan.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The service.”

  “I don’t want any service. I just want my mother to be alive. I don’t want anything to do with this God of yours.” Michael was getting very angry by this point and the good reverend decided it best to leave him with his two friends so he could vent his frustration.

  “Is there anyone else you’d like me to call? Did she have any other relatives, close friends?”

  “Nope. I’m it. Just me and you church people.”

  “We’ll talk tomorrow,” the pastor said quietly and he let himself out. Michael sat with his head in his hands, Brad and Jason on either side trying to console him. Michael calmed down enough to tell Brad and Jason, “I’ll be okay. You guys can go if you want.”

  “We’ll stay as long as you want, Michael. Unless you want to be alone.”

  “I know you have to get home to your family, Brad.”

  “I can stay. I have no where I have to be,” Jason assured Michael.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” added Brad.

  “That would be okay, but I don’t think I’ll be much company.”

  “That’s fine. We’ll just be here for you as long as you want, and we don’t even have to talk,” Jason exclaimed.

  Michael wiped his tears with his sleeve. “Let’s have another beer, Guys. I don’t like how I’m feeling right now and I just don’t want to feel anything.”

  * * *

  The ball game had been over for two hours and the guys didn’t even know who won. They had turned it off and finished off the 12-pack of beer and talked.

  “Uh-oh.” Brad looked at the number on his cell phone. “I better take this.”

  “Yes, Sweetie. I know. I’m sorry … but … Michael’s mother died and we were just … yes … okay, I’ll tell him. Yes. I’ll be home in a few minutes.”

  “Marnie says she’s very sorry to hear about your mom.”

  “Thanks. If you have to go, it’s okay. I’ll be fine. You too, Jason.”

  “Are you sure? I can stay the night,” Jason offered.

  “No, I think I’d rather be alone.”

  “You’re not going to work tomorrow, are you?”

  “Yeah, what else am I going to do, sit around here and feel sorry for myself? It’s too late to get a sub anyway.”

  “Okay, then. I’ll stop by tomorrow after you get home from work, see how you’re doing’.”

  “Thanks, Jason.”

  “I’ll give you a call tomorrow,” Brad added.

  “Thanks, Brad. You guys are the best.” Michael gave them a quick hug. If he stayed too long in the embrace his emotions would become embarrassing.

  Chapter 3

  The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next. (Abraham Lincoln)

  Michael laid down on the sofa and stared into the darkness. Tabby curled up on top of him and the two dozed the rest of the night.

  Michael nearly threw Tabby to the floor when the phone rang.

  “Hello,” he answered in a groggy voice.

  “Michael, where are you. You’re late.” Ruby Mason, the principal, had a reputation for intimidating every new teacher. Ruby did everything by the book and expected nothing less from all of her teachers. She was a tall, middle-aged woman dressed to the T. Even when she was a teacher at Drake Valley Elementary School, none of the other teachers cared for her gruff manner.

  Ruby was a very proud woman with a chip on her shoulder and no one dared to confront her. At one point she testified against a very well-liked teacher for putting his hand on a girl’s shoulder. Michael’s mother knew the man from church and testified in his favor, because everyone at her church hugs each other and that was just the way he was. Any relationships Ruby had with any of the other teacher
s seemed superficial to Michael, so maybe she wasn’t singling him out because he was young, or because his mother testified against her in that hearing.

  “What time is it?” Michael rubbed his eyes.

  “It’s almost nine o’clock. I had to send one of the aides down there to babysit. She just happened to be in the office when Mrs. Tompkins came and told me your kids were alone in the classroom. And you were supposed to be at that meeting, too, I might add. Now unless your leg is broke, get your butt down here, immediately.”

  “I’ll be right there.” Michael did not want to go into the details of what had transpired the night before. He was still in a fog and needed to replay it in his head and make sure it wasn’t all a bad dream.

  Michael hurried and dressed, ran a comb through his hair and a toothbrush across his teeth. Of course his car chose this particular morning not to start. He hurried back into the house, grabbed his mother’s car keys, and drove the old, dark green Cadillac to school.

  Michael ran down the hall and nearly knocked Ruby to the ground.

  “Be in my office after school, and don’t be late.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” Michael saluted in a sarcastic manner. Ruby’s scowl made it known that was unacceptable behavior.

  Michael entered his classroom, which was filled with chaotic chatter. He graciously thanked the aide for stepping in.

  “Not a problem. You might want to check Marco’s backpack. I think he was planning on playing some kind of practical joke on someone.”

  “I’m not surprised.” Michael glared at Marco, and Marco in turn relinquished his backpack. Michael confiscated a tube of Super Glue.

  “Alright, everyone. In your seats and take out your spelling words. You have five minutes to study them and then we’re going to have a quiz.”

  “Ugh,” they all groaned.

  “Quiet,” he scolded in his most intimidating voice. Michael proceeded to erase the graffiti from the blackboard when he noticed something written in very clear and precise cursive handwriting in the upper right corner. It was up higher than any of his kids could have reached, and the handwriting was too neat to belong to any of them. He read the note to himself and wondered how it got there: The Bible is the rock upon which our republic rests. It was signed Andrew Jackson.