Chapter+7


 * Chapter 7**
 * The Disappearance**

Mrs. Thomas called in her secretary, Mrs. Willis, and the assistant principal, Mr. Spayner. “This school has gotten completely out of control and I’m not taking it anymore.” Although Mrs. Thomas was only five foot two and about fifty five years old, she was one tough principal. Her reputation preceded her. She had a short fuse when it came to discipline. Parents complained to the administration about her but deep down they knew with her as principal, their kids were safe and misbehavior would be kept to a minimum. South Elm Middle School had a reputation for having high test scores and few behavior problems even though it was located in an older part of town. The building had no “curb appeal” and needed a face lift, but it had distinguished itself in many areas. The drama, band, and choir programs were the best in the district. It also had a huge reading program. Students who read twelve or more books off an approved list got to go to a special luncheon in May. Famous authors were brought in to talk to the kids who read the books. South Elm Middle had the most students in the district attend the Reader’s luncheon. The athletics department had a respectable record also considering they lost their two star players, Dontavious and Taiwan. However, there was one big problem with the school. In the past two months, there had been two break-ins. The last one caused over seventy five thousand dollars worth of damage. Paint was splattered all over both of the school’s computer labs damaging several of the schools computers. The photography equipment and laptops were all stolen. Most people in the community blamed the break-ins on a group of homeless people that camped near a park and an abandoned warehouse about three miles away. Police constantly forced them out of the area but they returned like webworms to the same general area. Because of the migrant homeless population that hung around like a bad cold, several of the more affluent families had taken their students out of South Elm Middle and placed then in private schools. The removal of the wealthiest students had impacted the fund raisers and disposable money the school needed. Mrs. Thomas hoped Whitney’s parents wouldn’t take her out because they had written a check for over five thousand dollars to help replace some of the equipment that was stolen. Whitney’s behavior was less than stellar and this wasn’t her first write-up. Mrs. Thomas had turned a semi-blind eye to her behavior in the past but when Whitney got physical, that was where Mrs. Thomas drew the line. Although she dreaded it, Mrs. Thomas knew her parents had to be called. Whitney couldn’t be allowed to run the school. Mrs. Thomas told Mr. Spayner and Mrs. Willis to call Whitney’s parents and D.A.E.P. to make immediate arrangements. Dontavious’s mother arrived within fifteen minutes. She burst through the office doors like a bull busting through a rodeo shoot. A robust woman with a loud voice and a scowl on her face, she worked at a local bank as a teller. Her dark eyes were full of rage. She pinched Dontavious on the arm and spewed out a list of curse words, then she back-handed his arm. “I’m going to tear you up when you get home, Dontavious. You know you’re costing me money and money is tight now that your good-for-nothing dad just up and left us. Why are you always getting yourself in trouble? You’ve had it now. Your life is over. You’re grounded until you’re sixteen.” “But mom what about my Halloween party? You know….” “Shut up. I don’t want to hear it. It’s off.” “No, it can’t be off. I’ve already invited half the school.” “Well that’s too bad you should have thought of that sooner,” she said as she pushed him out the door. “But mama,” he cried as he ducked her purse which she flung his way. “Don’t, but Mama me,” she said as she slapped him one last time. She hit him in the back with her large black purse. Dontavious looked like a frightened dog as he cowered out the doors. “Mrs. Gomez didn’t sign Dontavious out,” Mrs. Willis told Mrs. Thomas. “Well don’t worry about it,” said Mrs. Thomas shaking her head. “It’s not surprising why Dontavious is the way he is. His mom’s one violent woman!” The office staff stood like statues in a trance. They were taken aback by the outburst. Reality set in when Mrs. Willis put down the phone and said, “I’m not able to reach Whitney’s parents. What should I do?” Mrs. Thomas looked around for Whitney. She intended to ask for another number where her parents might be reached. However, in all the commotion created by Dontavious and his mom, no one noticed Whitney slip out the side door through the teacher’s work room, down the hall, and out the back door.