BOYS WILL BE BOYS

Spring had finally arrived in Madison, Wisconsin, signaling the end of the harsh winter season. Radiant sunshine accompanied the splendid warmth that had now engulfed the region, gleefully waving goodbye to the cold, frigid temperatures that Madison was famous for. Dawn was smiling through Tim's bedroom window, announcing the rapid and unwelcome approach of the dreaded school bus which would transport him yet again to the halls of learning.

Typical of youngsters his age, Tim expressed little interest in school. Today was no exception, and struggling from the warmth of his cozy bed, Tim smelled the delightfully fresh aroma of breakfast emanating from his mother's kitchen. Approaching the kitchen area Tim observed his mother, Betty, in her customary place busily preparing the eggs, bacon and pancakes he would soon devour.

Timidly, and with all the self-pity he could muster, Tim asked, "Mom, do I have to go to school today?"

"Yes, you do, young man. Now eat your breakfast!" his mother demanded, ever conscious of the time.

Although disappointed to say the least, Tim encouraged himself with the fantastic news that he had reached the last week of school before the much-anticipated summer vacation. He was determined with all the boyish courage he could muster to survive the next five days, after which he would be released to the thrills and sights of summer.

Spring fever filled the air infecting all the students at Lee Woodard Middle School, and Tim's eighth grade class was no exception. Science period was drawing to its usual boring close and Tim, as mischievous as ever, concluded some excitement was due the class.

With remarkable accuracy, Tim carefully and strategically guided his pencil through the stale air of the science lab, flawlessly and painfully reaching its intended target. The unsuspecting cheek of his best friend, Chad, was the unfortunate recipient of Tim's superior markmanship.

Unknown to Tim however, his science teacher, Mrs. Mason, witnessed the entire affair from a location yet undisclosed. Shortly thereafter, as one might suspect, a dejected Tim found himself sitting uncomfortably in the office of Mr. Lewis, the school principal.

"I knew I should have stayed home today," Tim thought within himself as the office door slowly opened to reveal the larger-than-life figure of Mr. Lewis.

"Come inside young man," bellowed Mr. Lewis as Tim immediately found himself endeavoring without success to avoid the stern, cool gaze of Mr. Lewis. The somber expression on the face of the principal was an unmistakable announcement to Tim that those five short days before the end of the school year had suddenly become a lifetime.

The above is a brief, fictional story and is intended for the mere pleasure of mothers who have "endured" the shenanigans of their little boys in school. My mother survived four of us young boys, and any resemblance the story may have to the actions of this writer when he was an eighth-grader is, shall we say, purely coincidental! God bless, David.