“Good morning Fairfax, this is Deborah Grossman, coming to you live outside of Edgeview Elementary, where it seems that the whole school is gathered to save one of their own. His name is Bob and he’s not your typical fourth grader. These children today are out here fighting against the unfair treatment of a daddy long legs.”
The cameraman panned across the crowd of rioting children. Their picket signs were painted in vivid colors and coated in clouds of glitter. As the students tromped around and shook their signs, glitter rained down onto the sidewalk below them. Their signs were about more than saving Bob. Some said ‘Insects have feelings too’. While others said ‘Paint and Glitter Forever’. It was an amazing thing to see so many children fighting for their rights.
“Here we have Ms. Lana Ululani,” Michael’s mother continued. “She teaches art here at Edgeview. Can you tell us exactly a little more about this protest going on today.”
Mrs. Grossman shirked away from Buttercup and chose to give Ms. Ululani the microphone.
“We’re here to restore things to their proper place,” Ms. Ululani said. “Children need to be able to explore, to learn, to get messy. School is a safe environment for that. Principal Benbrook’s strict no art supply and no animal policy harms our children. We’re here to save Bob, Buttercup, and Art!”
Ms. Ululani threw another passionate fist in the air and joined the throng again.
Lost in the middle of the crowd, Kat stood staring at her father.
“I don’t understand what is going on Kat,” he said. “This isn’t you.”
Kat frowned. She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from crying.
“I know I’m letting you down, but I can’t let another person die.”
“Another?” her father asked even more confused.
“I left the window open the night mom was bitten by the spider,” Kat finally admitted. “It’s my fault we’re here.”
The rest of the protest seemed to fall away for Kat and her father. Months of grief came pouring back over them.
“Honey,” her father said taking her hand. “It’s not your fault.”
Kat let the tears run. “Yes it is.”
Her father held her tight and kissed the top of her head.
“Kathryn, you mother was bit outside in the garden. She was in bed that night because she didn’t feel well.”
Kat looked up at her father in awe. For months, she had been carrying something that didn’t belong to her.
“Your mother got an infection from the bite. She was actually listening to you play the airplane game while she was in bed. She loved that game more than anything else. She was happy the window was left open. That was one of her favorite memories.”
“Me too,” Kat said trying to regain herself.
Her father placed his hand under Kat’s chin and looked her in the eyes. “Is this bug really that important to you?”
Kat looked around her. Lily was on her side. People were finally breaking ‘The Rules’ on purpose. In the distance, she saw Ms. Catarinas walking towards her class. Two words were proudly displayed across her shirt. SAVE BOB.
“More than you know,” Kat whispered.
“And you don’t mind living with Uncle Chad a little longer?” her father asked.
“I think there are still a lot of stories I need to hear,” Kat said.
Her father smiled. “Then hand me a sign.”
“We’re still here bringing you the latest on the protest at Edgeview Elementary. We’ve spoken with various parents on the subject of Eugene’s Benbrook’s rules and here is what just a few have to say about it.”
The cameraman turned to the left and focused his shot on three parents. One held a screaming baby and looked like she wished she could just go change his diaper.
“I think these rules are outrageous,” one father said.
“Who bans art supplies,” one mother said. “Is that even legal?”
The mother with the baby cringed as he went into another set of wails. “I heard even babies are banned. And Jonathan really needs to be changed!”
Principal Benbrook stood in front of the school taking the verbal assault form his students. As soon as he saw Daniel Westwood grab a protest sign, Eugene Benbrook was pushed off the edge. He stormed through the crowd and confronted him face to face.
“What do you think you are doing Mr. Westwood?” Principal Benbrook demanded.
“Focusing on my family,” Kat's father said smiling at Kat. Even Uncle Chad had picked up a protest sign and was marching hand in hand with Ms. Ululani and Buttercup.
“I will make sure you get first this instant,” Principal Benbrook screamed as he pulled out his cell phone. “Protesting over bugs. You’re just as dumb as your daughter.”
The entire protest went quiet. Sophie looked at the home made Bob in her hand. It wasn’t heavy, but it was enough. Out of the silence, she threw her crafty daddy long legs at Principal Benbrook. It hit him square in the eye and temporarily blinded him. The other girl scouts took their cue and soon dozens of little black daddy long legs bombs were being launched at Principal Benbrook.
The crowd of students fell into chaos. Several had brought contained of glitter and were throwing them around. The air around the protest shimmered like snow.
“And here we are with Elizabeth Catarinas, homeroom teacher of Bob himself,” Mrs. Grossman continued on. “What do you think of this chaos?”
“When Bob first came to us, he caused nothing but trouble. It wasn’t his fault, it was the rules. That is the monarchy of King Eugene Benbrook. I try to tie my teaching to everyday life and to the past. I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but Bob was just another example. History has a funny way of repeating itself. Just like in 1776, it’s a revolution.”
A student ran by and bombed the cameraman in glitter.
“No fumigation without representation,” he screamed.
At the doors, parents began to ask Principal Benbrook angry questions.
“Why aren’t they allowed to have paint?”
“My daughter even had her lip gloss confiscated by you for glitter. She’s seven!”
“Can I please bring Jonathan in to change him? He’s really starting to smell.”
The noise was getting louder and louder. It seemed as if the whole school were outside screaming for equal right and equal supplies.
Above the chaos, someone yelled, “STOP!” It took a few tries to get everyone’s attention, but finally the crowd settled. Michael stood in the middle of the crowd, ready to talk terms to Principal Benbrook. He moved confidently towards Principal Benbrook until he was toe to toe with him.
“We’ll make you a deal Principal Benbrook,” Michael said. “You give us something, we’ll give you something.”
“What are you doing?” Lily said through gritted teeth.
“Trust me,” Michael whispered. “I’ve got this.”
“You better praying mantis boy!” Lily said and took a step back.
“Like I said Benbrook let’s make a deal.”
Principal Benbrook furrowed his eyebrows and frowned at Michael. The cameraman came in close and Mrs. Grossman leaned her microphone in as close as possible.
“What do you want?” Principal Benbrook asked regrettably.
Michael grinned. “You let us keep Bob and give Ms. Ululani all the paint she wants and we’ll walk away.”
Everyone held their breath. Kat held her father’s hand. She could even feel his own heartbeat racing.
“And that’s all?” Principal Benbrook asked folding his arms.
“Well,” Michael said stretching the negotiations. “There is one more piece. An offer of good will is what I think they call it on T.V.” Michael winked at the camera. His mom gave him a quick thumbs up and refocused the microphone.
“And what do I have to do?” Principal Benbrook asked.
“Just take a picture with my pet Fluffy,” Michael said calmly. “Show us that animals aren’t all that bad.”
Principal Benbrook laughed out loud. What kind of deal was this. Of course they could never hold him to it, he didn’t sign a contract.
Kids are so dumb, he thought.
“Fine, bring on Fluffy,” Principal Benbrook agreed.
“Are you nuts?” Lily asked Michael.
“Have a little faith,” he said as Jacob handed him Fluffy.
Lily took one look at Fluffy and had to hold back her laughter. “Oh! You’re good!”
Principal Benbrook was so focused on the camera that he never noticed that Michael had place Fluffy on his shoulder.
“There we go,” Michael said. “Now that makes a nice picture. Isn’t she pretty up there!”
Principal Benbrook looked away from the camera and froze when he saw Fluffy. He didn’t have to turn his head very far to see the hairy legs or to feel the furry body nuzzle against his face. Principal Benbrook looked down in terror at the eight large eyes of Fluffy the tarantula.
“Aw, they’re friends,” Sophie laughed.
“AH!” Principal Benbrook screamed.
Fluffy tensed up on his shoulder which caused to him scream even more.
“Get it off! Get it off!”
Michael gently removed Fluffy and everyone began to laugh.
“I quit!” he screamed. Principal Benbrook didn’t waste any time. He pushed over several sixth graders and a girl scout to get out of the mob. He didn’t stop running until he reached his car.
Within in seconds, he was gone.
“I guess that means we won,” Michael said smiling into the camera.
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