Mr.
Johnson stood at his desk fumbling through a stack of papers as James and Si
walked up to where he stood. Completely lost in his own thoughts for a few
seconds Mr. Johnson didn't even notice them. Finally James cleared his throat breaking
that inner thought in his teacher's head.
"Oh, James, Simone sorry I didn't realize you were waiting on me. What can I do for you?" his even tone sounding somewhat reassuring to them.
James looked at Simone for a second then spoke. His voice and manner was quiet serious, “Um, Mr. Johnson, Si and I have something very important that we need to talk about. We sort of need your help with something." James paused searching for the next words to use. He knew that he had to go about this thing very carefully or the plan would never work. Continuing he said, "We think we may know where Norton is and has been, but first we need a big favor."
"Yea man, like a big, big, can’t say word to nobody about this, kind of favor." Si jumped in, not wanting to drag this out. She just wanted to put this thing in front of Mr. Johnson and let the cards fall where they may.
Looking at the both of them Mr. Johnson calmly replied, “Okay, you've got my attention. So, what do you know?"
" First, we don't want to talk here, I mean in school. Norton wants us to meet with you say after school today." James answers shifting the weight of his book bag to his left shoulder. He still wasn't sure that this was the best way to go.
”Please, Mr. Johnson. I think you'll understand better, but we don't have time right now to tell you everything. Please don't call anyone, not yet. This is too important to Norton and there really is a good reason for all of this, I swear." Simone had never heard herself be so serious about anything like this before. She felt responsible for the promise she had made to Norton.
Stepping out from behind the desk Mr. Johnson walked in front of it sitting down and crossing his arms. He looked at both of his students for a minute trying to see if the was a joke of some kind. Finally, he knew they were deeply committed to whatever was happening. “Okay, I have a little time after school. But, I warn you two. This better not be a bunch horse crap." he said his voice sounding very much in control. "So, you say you think you might know where Norton is and I can't call anyone?"
”Yes sir, that's right", James answered.
”This could be trouble; you both know that, right?" Mr. Johnson asked the question he really wanted a true answer to.
Simone slightly turn looking at James, then spoke," Mr. Johnson I don't waste my time on nobody at the muck of bricks school. Just James and I hang out together, but every once in awhile something strange happens that just jumps up and smacks you in the face. Reality has come home. I promise you that you will get it after we explain, but there's so much more going on. Something very special has to be addressed." pausing for a second Simone finished her thought, "You told us to care. You told us to become involved and help figure this out. Well, now we're involved and it's bigger than all of us. It's time to break the bad and make something good come of this. Will you help us get this started, please?"
Knowing that neither of these two students would play a joke of the type of magnitude where it just might possibly get them into bigger trouble, Mr. Johnson shook his head in agreement, “Okay. I'll hear you out and for Norton's sake let's hope this is as important as you say it is. Be here at three fifteen. I'll be waiting, alone, for now."
Smiling James and Si both thanked Mr. Johnson leaving his room feeling better about what was to come. There was a real and honest feeling that there just might be hope for those in need, both living under the bridge and for those living in their comfortable houses.
"Oh, James, Simone sorry I didn't realize you were waiting on me. What can I do for you?" his even tone sounding somewhat reassuring to them.
James looked at Simone for a second then spoke. His voice and manner was quiet serious, “Um, Mr. Johnson, Si and I have something very important that we need to talk about. We sort of need your help with something." James paused searching for the next words to use. He knew that he had to go about this thing very carefully or the plan would never work. Continuing he said, "We think we may know where Norton is and has been, but first we need a big favor."
"Yea man, like a big, big, can’t say word to nobody about this, kind of favor." Si jumped in, not wanting to drag this out. She just wanted to put this thing in front of Mr. Johnson and let the cards fall where they may.
Looking at the both of them Mr. Johnson calmly replied, “Okay, you've got my attention. So, what do you know?"
" First, we don't want to talk here, I mean in school. Norton wants us to meet with you say after school today." James answers shifting the weight of his book bag to his left shoulder. He still wasn't sure that this was the best way to go.
”Please, Mr. Johnson. I think you'll understand better, but we don't have time right now to tell you everything. Please don't call anyone, not yet. This is too important to Norton and there really is a good reason for all of this, I swear." Simone had never heard herself be so serious about anything like this before. She felt responsible for the promise she had made to Norton.
Stepping out from behind the desk Mr. Johnson walked in front of it sitting down and crossing his arms. He looked at both of his students for a minute trying to see if the was a joke of some kind. Finally, he knew they were deeply committed to whatever was happening. “Okay, I have a little time after school. But, I warn you two. This better not be a bunch horse crap." he said his voice sounding very much in control. "So, you say you think you might know where Norton is and I can't call anyone?"
”Yes sir, that's right", James answered.
”This could be trouble; you both know that, right?" Mr. Johnson asked the question he really wanted a true answer to.
Simone slightly turn looking at James, then spoke," Mr. Johnson I don't waste my time on nobody at the muck of bricks school. Just James and I hang out together, but every once in awhile something strange happens that just jumps up and smacks you in the face. Reality has come home. I promise you that you will get it after we explain, but there's so much more going on. Something very special has to be addressed." pausing for a second Simone finished her thought, "You told us to care. You told us to become involved and help figure this out. Well, now we're involved and it's bigger than all of us. It's time to break the bad and make something good come of this. Will you help us get this started, please?"
Knowing that neither of these two students would play a joke of the type of magnitude where it just might possibly get them into bigger trouble, Mr. Johnson shook his head in agreement, “Okay. I'll hear you out and for Norton's sake let's hope this is as important as you say it is. Be here at three fifteen. I'll be waiting, alone, for now."
Smiling James and Si both thanked Mr. Johnson leaving his room feeling better about what was to come. There was a real and honest feeling that there just might be hope for those in need, both living under the bridge and for those living in their comfortable houses.
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