Storm Clouds Over Mountain View Middle School by Dave Potter

Author:Dave Potter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Publish on Demand Global LLC

6

Is It Goodbye Mr. Fish?

Robert studied Principal Fish. He tried to understand how Mr. Fish could bring silence to an auditorium full of students, just by raising his hand. He watched the smile on Mr. Fish’s face disappear as he spotted rowdy students. Robert wished that none of these new students had moved into his school.

Mr. Fish’s smile was replaced by a cold stare. One student, however, wasn’t stopped by his stare. It was William. Mr. Fish approached William. He put his hand on the back of William’s seat and said something to him.

William and all of the other students in the auditorium became totally quiet. The smile returned to Mr. Fish’s face as he again stepped up to the podium. He welcomed the students, then presented his awards, in recognition of academic excellence.

Robert leaned forward in his seat and stared intently as the first group was called up. They were being recognized for making the all “A” Honor Roll for the marking period. A big smile broke on Robert’s face when Tomalena’s name was called. He felt a sense of pride that he was Tomalena’s friend.

Robert’s thoughts were interrupted as Mr. Fish said, “Would you high honor students please face the audience.” Mr. Fish began to clap and said, “Would you please give them a round of applause.” He nodded for them to exit the stage. Next, Mr. Fish announced, “I would now like all of those students who have earned all As and Bs to be recognized.” Robert smiled when he heard Mr. Fish call his name. Once all the students received their certificates, they were also asked to face the audience and be applauded for their achievement. Robert turned around and faced the audience with his other classmates. As he waited for directions to return to his seat, his eye caught William’s. William and his bully buddies were glaring at him. Robert looked away and couldn’t wait to return to his seat.

Students were beginning to fidget by the time Mr. Fish finished the Honor Roll and Good Citizenship awards. Robert knew how important those awards were to Mr. Fish. The principal loved to recognize students for their achievements. Robert noticed that Mr. Fish was smiling less and staring more at William and his buddies.

Mr. Fish finally announced that the awards ceremony was over and thanked the students for their hard work. Mr. Fish started to dismiss the eighth grade class, but clutched at his chest and collapsed in back of the podium.

The auditorium was completely silent.

Robert heard laughter from some of the students. He looked over and saw William and his buddies laughing and giving “high fives.” He watched Coach and the school nurse rush to Mr. Fish. The nurse pulled out her cell phone and made a phone call. Coach then stepped up to the microphone, called out teachers’ names, and asked them to take their homeroom students to their classrooms.

Robert was back in his classroom when he heard a siren approaching the school. He was overwhelmed by both sadness and anger as he thought about Mr.

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