If I needed more evidence of my continued invisibility, I got it last Thursday.
The confirmation came during our monthly fire drill.
I was in chorus as the alarms started blaring.
As my class was heading to our assigned door, the assistant principal, Mrs. Walters, started to walk alongside me.
I immediately thought I had done something wrong. Why would she want to talk to me during a fire drill?
She said, “Jack, slow down and let the end of the line catch up to you. Then, when we pass by the main office, head in there instead of outside. Okay?”
I just stared back at her. I could get into trouble for not going outside during a drill.
“Okay, Jack?”
“Uh, okay?”
“Good.” Then she disappeared into the crowd of students.
I slowly fell back to the end of the line.
No one was in the office when I got there. Had I imagined the whole conversation?
No. Mrs. Walters was clearly there and clearly asked me to come to the office. I wasn’t going to get into trouble. I didn’t think.
From the office, I could see everyone lining up outside. I could see all of the teachers holding up their green signs. Was my teacher noticing that I was missing? Was she reporting it to the office? I didn’t hear anything but “all clears” on the distant walkie-talkie.
Mr. Roberts, the other assistant principal, came into the office. It looked like he was in a hurry.
“Hey, Jack, thanks for helping us out here. We pull a student from time to time during the drill to make sure our procedures are working. It will just be a few more minutes.”
The alarm stopped ringing.
Students and teachers started to file back into the school.
I continued to sit in the office.
Had anyone noticed that I had gone missing?
Once the hallways were clear, Mrs. Walters appeared. “Let’s head you back to class now.”
At the entrance to the doorway of the chorus room, Mrs. Walters announced, “I found him!”
My chorus director, Miss Noel, replied, “Found who?”
I emerged from behind Mrs. Walters’ shoulder.
“Oh.”
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Worst fear as a teacher–that I will lose and kid and not realize it. I count and recount and count again anywhere we go.
Poor Jack.
Great slice!
Aww. Thank you!
Yikes! Poor Jack–invisible once more. But chorus is a large group, no? Not making excuses for the teacher, but I can see how it happened. Jack, though, goodness! Just one more thing for him to add to his angst. I do like how you continue to round out Jack’s character.
As a classroom teacher this was always one of my great fears during a fire drill. Were all my students there? Did one have an early dismissal that I didn’t know about? I feel so sorry for Jack and am a bit angry at his teacher for not noticing one of her students was missing, even if she didn’t know who.
Oh no! I’m always recounting my kids to ensure all are accounted for. Poor Jack realizing he was invisible to his choir director! 😦
I think it was because the administrator pulled him that he was lost.
You kept me thinking how this scenario would turn out. I felt Jack’s tension and confusion. Nice job!
Thank you 🙂
The “oh” is so poignant and heavy with Jack’s disappointment! For once he had an important role, and the chorus teacher did not even pick up on his absence. Crucial mistake on her part…especially during a drill! Your dialogue and reflection from Jack turn a small moment into something of importance for his little self-esteem. Now, if only others would acknowledge it, too!