Sometimes You Just Have to Kick a Pole

Three people sit in the open room just outside the principal's office: two students and the school counselor. Demetrius refuses to go to class and Rosie is sitting in a chair with her left foot propped up and sitting in the chair next to her. She doesn’t look happy.

The counselor tells Demetrius, “We need you to go to Ms. Smith’s class.”

“No. I’m not going.”

“Why not.”

“Cause I don’t want to.”

“Well then what are you going to do? You’re going to have to call your mom and have her come pick you up.”

“Noooooo. Can’t I just walk home?”

“No. If you do that, then you’re really going to be in trouble.”

I pass this part of their conversation as I gather things from my box. On my way out, I ask Rosie what happened. 

“I’ll tell you tomorrow....if I come...”

I find Rosie hopping out of the office about an hour later with a group of about ten friends.

“Rosie! Tell me what happened!?”

Rosie tells me that this other girl was trying to make her mad. She puts her hand to her cheek, fingers pointing up to block others from seeing what she’s saying, and whispers, “Karen.” Rosie got so mad that she went and kicked a pole. And then she couldn’t walk anymore.

I can’t take it. Rosie’s smile, personality, love for gossip, and hop out of the office crack me up.

“She was trying to make you mad?” I ask between laughing.

“Oh my god! I’m never telling you anything!” she says half smiling, knowing she looks foolish.

“Wait. Sorry, Rosie,” I say, wiping the smile from my face. “So this girl was trying to make you mad?”

“Yes.”

“I guess she got what she wanted.”

“Yea.”

Rosie has been working hard to be better about her grades, gossip, and drama. Kicking a pole might be a painful step in the right direction.