Recently while I was going through some old records I came across a letter from Elementary School principal. It was a very nice letter, about how he had followed my academic success in Jr. High School with pride. Actually it was rather quaint, but it reminded me of an incident a few years prior where he was not as conciliatory regarding my actions.
It was in the Spring, I was in 6th grade.
It was just after lunch when the entire 6th grade was broken up into 2 groups. Boys in one room and the Girls in another. On the agenda was the new California Board of Eduction mandated film on SEX EDUCATION. To say the 6th grade class was a buzz about the film would be an understatement. I am sure you know the one, or saw something similar where they showed the basic birds and bee's... how mammals reproduce and oh yeah.. we too are mammals.. oh yeah if the male and female "copulate" and "fertilization" is "successful" hello a little bundle of joy.
The animal interaction was of National Geographic quality, the human interaction was all done in Disney like cartoon animation.
But we all got the point, nothing would ever be the same.
So.. after some Q and A, we all were sent back to our regular classrooms. Being an inquisitive guy I was wondering what the Girls thought about the film. So as we are all crossing paths in the hallway I see JANE DOE (not her real name) walking in what seemed to be deep thought...
Only now years later I can say she was really thinking... "WTF did I just see?" But at 12 years I was just a curious fool with no muzzle.
"Hey JANE How did you like the movie?" I said firmly. (OK.. my voice always was loud,)
I was not ready for her response as she looked at me in horror and stuttered. "What? What? Oh my God!" She ran past me and ducked into he classroom.
A couple of friends said something like, "She must not have liked it." We all laughed a bit and returned to our class.
I figured that was that.
It was about 30 minutes later during afternoon History. The door swings open and the who classed turned to see the Principal. He did not look happy as he scanned the room... resting his gaze on me.
"Mr. Kahuna come with me." The order came in a booming no nonsense voice.
I am thinking? Who me?
The whole class reacted "Oh.. Oh. Somebody's in trouble." Really... it was like in unison. Then the snickering started as I stood and walked towards the door. A firm large hand landed on my shoulder and lead me out the door to certain doom.
Once outside he headed off towards his office.. "Come along, your father is on his way."
My DAD?? What the heck was going on??
Inside the Administration Office I was told to sit on one of the slick Naugahyde couches and to be quiet, still not sure what was going on I began to worry, about my mom, my brother... so many things spun in my head.
About a half hour later.. after reading all the PTA and Teacher's Union literature that was on the table next to me, the main door swung open and in walks my Dad. I looked to him seeking an answer. He gave me a look that I could not read, a look between irritation and curiosity. Then just sat down next to me and grabbed a PTA Flyer.
He kind of cleared his throat, and whispered. "Ok. So what's the Principal got me here for?" Just loud enough for the secretary to hear.
The bottom of my stomach fell and all I could say was. "You got me Dad!" I was telling the truth, because at that point I had no clue.
The Principal opened his door and invited us in.
Then he began with saying I had made some "comments" to one of the girls. "Flying may need to be suspended for his actions."
"SUSPENDED?" I yelped in a higher than normal voice. My Dad's strong hand gripped my forearm like a vise. I shut up.
He calmly began, "This is a serious accusation. Just what did my son say? What kind of comments?" Looking first at him, then at me, giving me a chance to get control.. before the principal could weigh in..
My mind raced. TRUTH. For once in my life the truth was on my side. Wasn't it? I couldn't think of a better story in such short notice so I went with it..
"DAD All I asked was "How did you like the Movie!"
My Dad looked at me... "What MOVIE?"
Before I could go into explaining the interesting film I had seen the Principal stated "The 6th Grade watched the new SEX EDUCATION film today."
I saw my Dad in action. I mean, my father was a man of words and when he was pissed his words became weapons of mass destruction. He was about to deliver a Nuclear Warhead in my Principal's lap..
"So... let me see if I understand this. YOU ARE GOING TO SUSPEND MY SON BECAUSE HE ASKED ANOTHER STUDENT IF SHE LIKED A BIOLOGY FILM???" He was serious.
He turned to me. His mind drilling into mine. "That's ALL you said? Nothing else? HOW DID YOU LIKE THE MOVIE?"
I repeated the question. In the EXACT WORDS.. holding onto them as if it was my life boat. "HOW DID YOU LIKE THE MOVIE? Yes that's what I asked her."
Seeing the Fear and Truth in my words my father freed me.
Smiling, using a different timber in his voice, softer, kinder. He asked me, as if he really wanted to know what I thought.
"How did YOU like the Movie, Flying?"
Before I could even answer the Principal quickly stated. "It is not important what he thought of the Movie."
My fathers response was slow. Almost like a growl.
"REALLY? My son's thought's are of no importance?"
I was asked to leave the room at that point.
A few minutes later my father and my Principal walked out together smiling and they shook hands.
I do not know what transpired but I was not suspended, and nothing more was said about the incident.
Funny. How things could have been different for me had I not had a Dad who stood up for me.