Ed Nelson [Nelson - School Days

The Richard Jackson Saga

Book 2: School Days

By Ed Nelson

This is dedicated to my wife Carol for her support and help as first reader and editor.

Also the BHS cl ass of 1962 just because.

That is exactly how it happened, give or take a lie or two.

James Garner as Wyatt Earp describing the gun fight at the OK Corral in the movie Sunset.

Contents

Copyright August 2019 by E. E. Nelson

Eastern Shore Publishing

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage retrieval systems without written permission from the author, e xcept for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Chapter 1

Monday the weather was still good. I was able to get in another run, there wouldnt be many more. I took one of my favorite routes, up Campbell Hill, then along a farm road next to the airbase. Then turn onto a road through a small woodlot to complete the loop and home. It was a little longer than my normal five miles, but I liked running out in the country.

During breakfast I had a cup of coffee even though I was awake. It wasnt as nasty tasting, I was getting used to it. I talked Dad into giving me a ride to school. I had made an error in bringing the trophy home with me, rather than letting Coach take it with him. After giving me a hard time, Dad relented.

On the way to school I wondered what they were going to do with the latest trophy. The current cases looked full to me, and I could tell the trophy was too tall to fit in any of the cases. The question was quickly answered.

Dad dropped me off at the main entrance as usual. When I walked in the door the first thing that caught my eye was an additional trophy case. It was built to hold taller trophies.

A janitor was just finishing cleaning the glass. I asked Mr. Brown where they got a new case on such short notice. He told me that they had it all along, just not set out. When they bought the other cases this came with them. They didnt have enough trophies to fill it, so they left it in storage to avoid damage, you know those dang high school kids. Mr. Brown was one of those that thought his job would be great, if it wasnt for all those kids.

He had the key, so he opened it and placed the trophy front and center. All the time other students were going by saying, Go Bellefontaine.

I had learned to tune it out.

Mr. Brown then told me, Mr. Gordon needs to see you in the office right away.

Thanks, I better head there, I replied, as I wondered what it was about.

Mr. Gordon saw me immediately.

Congratulations on the win, Rick. You have caused more commotion at this school than we have had in years. I always want the city and county councils to pay attention to us, and maybe provide some of the funds we need for maintenance. Now they all want to be here and speak at the presentation.

What presentation?

Your trophy of course, he spoke as though I were a little slow.

I was presented my trophy at the end of the tournament yesterday, Jack Nicklaus did the presentation.

Not that one, the Logan county athlete of the year

I didnt know they had one.

This is the first, somebody thought of it last night, Mr. Gordon told me.

Do I have to accept it? I inquired.

No, but you wouldnt make any friends, I heard your Dad was going into business for himself, just think what that would do for his community relations.

When is the presentation?

Its this Friday afternoon as part of the regular pep rally. Im just thankful they arent insisting on earlier, anymore classes missed and we will be cutting into the snow day reserves.

Thanks for the warning.

One more thing Rick, could we put your bull riding trophy in the new case? I havent seen it but I gather it is impressive.

Mum will be glad to give it to the school. I have been using it as a clothes rack in my bedroom.

What about you Rick, do you mind giving it up? he asked.

Thank you for asking, no I dont mind.

Bring it tomorrow if you can.

I will, you know I just wanted to play golf, not be the school hero.

A burden you will have to bear, we need our heroes, and I would rather have a clean cut athlete rather than one of those rock and roll singers.

I took that as a sign he didnt want my gold record for Rock and Roll Cowboy, for the trophy case. But it did give me an idea. They would get their hero warts and all. Mr. Gordon then gave me a note and sent me to my home room.

I ended up on time, so didnt need the note. I did notice there wasnt a date and it only said, Rick Jackson is excused for this lateness. I saved the note in my three-ring binder. Waste not, want not.

As part of the morning ritual my home room teacher publicly congratulated me. This occurred in every class all day, even study hall. Though I wasnt the highlight of study hall, that dubious honor was reserved for Steve Simmons.

Steve was a little guy, but tough as nails. He came from a less than desirable background, but made it to school in worn out clothes every day. You could tell he was trying.

Well poor Steve fell asleep in study hall. I dont mean nodded off, I mean a deep sleep with his head on the desk. He may have got away with it, but he started snoring. Mr. Hurley couldnt ignore that. What he did was wave his arms to get our attention; then held up his finger to his lips in the sign of keep quiet.

He then pointed at Steve. It was only a minute until the bell, so we all packed up our papers and books and just sat there. The bell rang and Mr. Hurley using hand signs; had us file quietly out of the room for our next class.

Some of us had to know what was going to happen next so we stayed behind, watching through the glass window in the door. Mr. Hurley picked up a book and slammed it down on the desk behind Steve.

Steve woke up, obviously startled and jumped up. His desk was in the row on the far side of the room from the door. Instead of going around the rows of desks, the old style with the seat attached to the front of the desk behind it, he stood on a desk top and ran across the room from desk top to desk top.

You should have seen the look on Mr. Hurleys face. I dont know what he expected, but it wasnt that. Steve burst out of that room, pushing his way passed us. Mr. Hurley broke down laughing.

Now that was a sight to see. He was a very serious looking person and seldom cracked a smile and I had never seen him laugh before. That was kind of weird.

Mr. Hurley came out the door and said in passing.

If anyone sees Steve tell him he just paid off all his detention debt for the year.

Now that was a reward! Detention was for one hour after school every day. As we were leaving for the day you would see the kids gathering in the study hall to serve their time. Steve was one of those guys always there.

Chapter 2

At lunch time I ran into TomHumphreys and his crowd.

Guess you think you are big guy at school now, hot shot.

I replied, Hi Rodney, Im glad to see you are your usual wonderful self, the Tomwe all admire.

You could tell that he didnt know how to take that.

I just dont want you to get a swelled head, its not like you play a real sport.

Thank you Rodney, I appreciate the advice and I will take it in the spirit it was given.

Again he looked a little disconcerted. I continued, See you later; Ive got to get in line for my lunch.

I wasnt going to get in a fight if I could avoid it, but I was getting tired of his crap.

I joined Tom at our regular table. Today the entire golf team was there to congratulate me. It was actually nice to get compliments from guys who could appreciate what I had done.