Middle School Crazy

The Drive By One Monday morning, Ralph came over to talk to me at my desk during homeroom. He seemed rather subdued for Ralph, so I asked: "What's wrong, Ralphie?" He drew in a long breath and said sadly, "My brother was shot this weekend in a drive-by." I was horrified. "Is he O.K.?" "They won't let me see him. He's in the hospital. He was shot once in the chest and twice in the arm. Mama says that he'll be O.K., but they won't let me see him." "Oh, Ralph. If there's anything I can do for you, please let me know. I am so sorry this happened to your family. Please keep me posted on his condition." "Thanks. I will keep you posted." I got our clerk, Mrs. Martinez, to call the home to see what we could do for Ralph and for his family. We wanted to help out if we could. There was no one at home, so we assumed that they were all at the hospital. I knew that the mother did not work. Mrs. Martinez promised she would stay on it until we heard something. She continued to call off and on throughout the next few days, but she was unable to ever find anyone at home. During the next week I asked Ralph about his brother, John. There was no change in his condition, and Ralph was understandably concerned. Late the following week I arrived at school after homeroom was over. As I walked down the hall near my room, I saw Ralph walking in front of me. Two of my female students were walking toward me carrying their science project. Ralph, not knowing an adult was nearby asked, "what the @$*% is that?" The girls' mouths dropped open and one said, "I can't believe you said that around our teacher. She is going to hurt you." “She isn't here today. I know 'cause I'm in her homeroom." "Then who is that behind you?" Ralph turned around not really expecting to see me standing there looking at him. When he saw me his tanned face paled to a sheet-like color. "Oh, Miss! Don't get mad at me. I'm just so upset over my brother. I didn't mean to say that, but I heard my brother only has 3 days to live." Ignoring, for the moment, my concerns about Ralph’s behavior, I consoled him, "I'm sorry to hear that. Are you O.K.? Have they let you see John?" "I'm O.K., but I still haven't seen him." After talking to Ralph, I found Mrs. Martinez and asked her to try to contact Ralph 's mother again. We needed to at least get some counseling for him. I was not sure what else the family might be in need of, but I did know that we wanted to help in any way we could. We had been unable to get in touch with Ralph’s parents for almost a week. There was never an answer at home. I had asked Ralph each day about John, his brother. Each day, the prognosis was the same. Not much time left. We were beginning to get rather concerned. We were discussing a home visit when Mrs. Martinez was finally able to get Ralph's mother on the telephone. Mrs. Martinez came to get me to talk to her. "Hello, I'm Ralph's homeroom and History teacher." "Yes, ma'am. How are you?" "Concerned. We are all concerned. How is John, Ralph's brother—is he going to be all right?" There was a very long silence. I supposed tears were being fought back, but she said, "What brother? Ralph is an only child."