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They made her sit in the outer office and brought me into the principal's main office. All I could think of was that on top of everything else, I had brought new grief to Mama's door.

Our principa

l, Mr. Morgan, was a burly man who had been an outstanding football player in college. We were told he nearly played pro ball, but opted instead to continue his education and go into the field of education because he liked working with young people. He had a deep, resonant speaking voice and sang in the church choir. I admired him because he seemed to be able to be firm whenever he had to be firm, and yet friendly and interested in students as well.

I was greeted by his look of astonishment and then disappointment when he was told what had occurred. "All right," he declared. "Take a seat."

He thanked the teachers who then left his office. "Well," he continued after he sat behind his desk, "do you want to tell me exactly what

happened?"

"They all attacked me in the hallway," I cried. I touched my scalp and looked at the blood on the tips of my fingers.

"Why?"

"Because I told them they're to blame me for my sister's death," I said. I had to look away from his steely eyes. "I hate them. I hate all of them and they hate me. They always have."

"Why have they always hated you?"

"They just do. Because I don't think much of them and because I tried to get my sister not to hang out with them. They call me a snob," I added.

"Did you think fighting in the hallway would change anything?" he asked softly.

"No, but I was tired of their nastiness," I said. "Tired of them pushing me and poking me and mocking me."

"You know about our strict rules against violence. Little spats grow into serious ones very quickly around here. I can't tolerate them; they must be dealt with seriously," he said.

"I know, I'm sorry."

"If someone is bothering you, you come to me," he lectured.

"I wasn't thinking," I admitted and then I looked up at him. "It hasn't been exactly an easy time for me or my family?'

"I understand that and I'm sorry about it, but I have to think of the whole school. I'll have to suspend you for three days. Your mother and/or your father will have to come in to see me before you can be readmitted. When you return, I hope you'll think hard before fighting again and if you're bothered, you'll come to me."

"They'd only hate me more," I said, "and make things worse for me."

"Let me see about that," he retorted. "Is there anyone home in your house?"

"Maybe Ken," I said.

"Who?"

"I mean, my father. He's out of work."

"I'll have Mrs. Dickens call. If there's no one home, have the truant officer take you home. I'm very disappointed, Rain. You're one of our better students."

"It's not something I wanted to happen, Mr. Morgan," I fired back at him.

He nodded, his face now showing some sympathy and even some pain. I knew it would be difficult if not impossible for him to let me off and punish Nicole. He really didn't have much choice.

"It won't happen again," I promised.

Ken wasn't home so the truant officer had to take me. I couldn't hide the incident from Mama since she had to go to school with me. She would have to get out of work and that made it even worse. Roy found out what had happened and came home before he went to Slim's. I told him the whole story.

He smiled.

"I heard you gave her a huge lump on the forehead." "It's no great accomplishment. Look how much trouble I've created."