Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 16:31:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: ed swanky <edswanky@yahoo.com>
Subject: Christopher-answers Ch 31
If you are underage or graphic sexual stories are prohibited in your
community...do not read this. This story is completely fictional. I would
appreciate all comments especially those of a constructive or encouraging
nature. My e-mail address: edswanky@yahoo.com
Christopher Answers
Chapter 31
Bang!... Bang!... Bang!, the noise of the gavel reverberated off the
auditorium walls. The President of the School Board in a raised voice
said: "Will the meeting come to order! Everyone, PLEASE take your
seat."
The call to order went largely unheeded. The noisy crowd continued
to talk and argue among themselves. Emotions were running high and
several sections had shouting matches going on among the agitated crowd.
Bang!... Bang!... Bang!, "WE MUST HAVE ORDER, PLEASE everyone SIT
DOWN so we can begin. The Sergeant-at-Arms has been instructed that
anyone who does not come to order will be escorted out of the building!"
The President started to speak without the level of order that he
wanted but decided the best way to achieve it was to just begin the
meeting.
"This is a special meeting, the purpose of which is to determine
if the current policies regarding gay students are in accordance with the
wishes of this community and if they may have contributed to the riot at
the baseball game last week. I want to make it clear that this is not a
witch hunt, it is not an effort to oust the current school Principal."
An undercurrent of 'boos' were heard from the diverse crowd. It was
difficult to tell at this point which faction had the largest turnout.
Two large tables facing the audience were set up on the stage of the
combination gymnasium/auditorium. They were angled in the shape of a
'V' to allow both sides to see each other and the large crowd in
attendance. Elder John Watkins and five School Board members were at one
table. Principal Jordan and Ray, his counsel, were at the other table.
The color factor was very evident, six white men and two black men. Not
knowing the purpose of the meeting, one would assume that this meeting was
about *race*, not *gay student* policies.
Justin stood at the back by the doorway. He was trying to locate the
big guy who said he would be here to identify Elder John. He surveyed the
crowd but to no avail. 'I guess the guy is not going to show', he thought.
He and Ray had a signal worked out where he could communicate to him from
the back of the room. Justin was to give a 'thumbs up' if the guy told
him that it was Elder John who paid him and his two buddies to incite the
riot. A 'thumbs down' meant that it wasn't him and if the guy had not
shown up as yet, he would just simply shake his head 'no'.
Craig Allwein was sitting in the back row next to where Justin stood.
He had a plan that he worked out in school today. At the appropriate
moment he would put it into action. For now, he just sat there holding
hands with Kathy. This was their second date of sorts. Yesterday
afternoon, he invited her to go with him to the Mall and the 1:30 PM movie
showing. They sat in the back row there also, in the section to the left
of Tom, Dave, Taylor and Tim.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
They got in the theater just ahead of Taylor and Tim. When Craig
saw them, he turned away. Thankfully they went to the other side of the
theater and sat down three rows from the back. He didn't want company on
his first date and wasn't prepared for the scrutiny that the two
underclassmen would subject Kathy to. He liked the kids but, hey! they
were just kids and kids can be a pain-in-the-ass especially when it comes
to dates and the 'ooohing and aaahing' that he remembered doing at their
age. He wasn't quite ready to share *his Kathy* with anyone much less
these two potentially bratty underclassmen.
Just when he gave a sigh of relief because they didn't see him, in
walked Tom and David. They looked in his direction but didn't recognize
him and decided to sit down in the last row of the section behind Taylor
and Tim.
'For God's sake', he thought. 'I should have sent out engraved
invitations to all my friends.'
-*You are cordially invited to the 1:30 PM Movie to watch Craig
make-out with his next door neighbor, Kathy. Scorecards will
be collected at the end of the show and the ratings will be
published in the school newspaper.*-
Kathy saw the two gay couples and said to Craig: "Look at that!"
'Oh no!' Craig thought. 'Here it comes, Kathy is a bigot!'
"Isn't that the coolest thing you ever saw! I really admire those
boys. You can see how much love they have for each other. I'm glad that
this town is not prejudiced like the one I just left. You're not
prejudiced against gay people, are you Craig?"
Craig looked at her with more love in his eyes than before, if that
were possible. "I'm not prejudiced but if they come over here, I just may
have to kick their asses."
Kathy gave him a confused look, trying to figure out what he meant.
Before she had a chance to say anything, Craig explained that the four of
them were among the best friends he had in the world. He just didn't want
to talk with them right now. He told her that he would introduce her to
them some other time but not this afternoon.
"Are you gay too", Kathy asked, a bit afraid to hear his answer.
"No, I am hopelessly heterosexual!" Craig smiled; he got to use the
line that he had coined the other day. Kathy smiled too, she was relieved
to know that he was straight. She was beginning to like him.
"When the movie is over, duck under the seats with me so they don't
see us. While you're down there, feel around for loose change, maybe we
can come up with enough money to buy a coke afterwards.
Again, Kathy gave him the same confused look until she saw the
devilish grin on his face. She giggled and Craig put his arm across her
shoulders. She liked this new neighbor of hers, not only was he cute but
he has a very odd sense of humor. She blushed when he leaned over and
kissed her cheek.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The President of the School Board started off the proceedings.
"We won't hold to formal rules in this meeting. both sides will
state their cases and then I'll open it up to questions from the audience.
I want this to be a forum for opinions and there will plenty of opportunity
for everyone to be heard."
"First we'll hear from Mr. John Watkins who was given the job of
investigating the policies that are currently in place. He will be free
to state his opinion as to the meaning of those policies and recommend
what he thinks should done about them. Afterwards, Principal Jordan or
his representative will be heard."
"So without further ado, Mr. Watkins, the floor is yours."
John Watkins took the microphone and stood up behind his chair. He
looked drawn and tired. His sunken eyes gave witness to the fact that
he wasn't sleeping very well lately.
"Most of the people in this room know me. I am a man of God, an
Elder in my church. This is a God-fearing community with a long tradition
of following the teachings of the Bible. The Bible is very clear that
homosexuality is a sin. Principal Ed Jordan has instituted policies that
run counter to that. He would have us believe that it is perfectly fine
for our children to openly profess their love for others of the same sex.
I am here today to denounce those policies. Ed Jordan comes from New
York City. This is not New York City. We have not fallen into the same
hedonistic lifestyles that they embrace. In the past year, under his watch,
we have witnessed the results of his policy. Four or five members of the
baseball team have fallen into the mistaken belief that God condones their
homosexuality."
"The highschool baseball team is the pride of our southern community
and is now tainted beyond repair. We all saw what happened to our team,
open rioting in the stands. The game that would have put us into the State
playoffs had to be forfeited because of the defenders of homosexuality.
Think of the message we are sending to the youngest of our children. The
star player on the team has seen fit to openly profess his love for another
boy. This would not have happened prior to this year. The change in
policy instituted in our school by Mr. Ed Jordan is responsible for that."
"His people .... I mean .... people like him ..... have brought this
country to near ruin. It is Sodom and Gomorra revisited. God will not
bless a community that allows these kinds of practices to flourish. We must
return to the old ways of discouraging our children to live a life of sin.
A life, if continued, that will condemn them to the eternal fires of hell."
"Before it is too late, I not only call for the rejection of those
policies, I also call for the resignation of Ed Jordan as Principal of our
school. This abomination must end. All praise to God, the Almighty!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A raucous cheer went up from the crowd when Elder John took his seat.
A chant started somewhere in the crowd. Jordan must go! Jordan must go!
It continued to get louder and louder as more people joined in.
JORDAN MUST GO! JORDAN MUST GO!! JORDAN MUST GO!!!
Then a counter chanting started in much the same manner. Jordan must
stay! JORDAN MUST STAY! JORDAN MUST STAY!! JORDAN MUST STAY!!!
BANG!... BANG!!... BANG!!!, the President tried to regain control.
PLEASE! PLEASE!! WE NEED TO HAVE ORDER! The other side will now be heard.
"Principal Jordan, the floor is now yours."
"When I took the job of Principal at your school, I knew it wouldn't
be easy. The very first day I witnessed several boys assaulting another
boy who they presumed to be gay. I heard that this type of attack has
happened on a routine basis in this school for many years. It happened
because of the lack of a formal policy against it and the failure of the
administration to punish the perpetrators. Yes! I came here from New York
City. Let me tell you that the New York City school system does not
condone 'gay bashing' and neither do I. I offer no apologies for that."
"Mr. Watkins would like to portray me as a man who does not fear God.
I guess maybe he is correct. I don't believe that God wants us to live in
fear of Him. If I had anything to fear from God, it would be His
punishment for ignoring my responsibility as Principal and allow this kind
of behavior to continue. The gay boy who was forced to his knees in the
lavatory is one of His creations and was not put on this earth to suffer
that form of physical and mental abuse. That is why I went back to my desk
that first day and drafted a policy denouncing gay bashing."
"As long as I am Principal of this school, that policy will not be
rescinded!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A thunderous round of applause rocked the auditorium! People stood
up and cheered. A whole section of students rose as one. Whistling and
spontaneous stomping of feet on the wooden bleachers made the place
sound like a pep rally before a big game.
BANG!... BANG!!... BANG!!!, the gavel went to work again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ray looked up toward Justin and was given the sign that the man who
would identify Elder John had not shown up yet. He wanted to handle this
instead of having Ed Jordan level any accusations.
John Watkins was shocked at the response to Principal Jordan's words.
God should not be allowing this to happen.
The President of the School Board opened the discussion to members
of the audience. "I would ask that everyone listen to the person who has
the floor and please respect their right to be heard. There is a
microphone set up here in front of the stage. Any person who wishes to
voice an opinion, please line up and state your name before you begin
your remarks. I would also ask that you try to limit your remarks so that
everyone will have an opportunity to share their thoughts with the group.
You may ask specific questions and direct them to any member of the board,
Mr. Jordan or his attorney."
Several people made their way to the microphone. The first person
to speak was dressed in overalls and looked like he had a tractor parked
outside.
"My name is Carl Saunders and I just want to say that God will punish
you Jordan. We don't need your kind around here! You and that lawyer
friend of yours. Go back where you came from!!
Sounds of approval and disapproval were heard from the crowd.
"My name is Mrs. Priscilla Swoyer. I was born in this town, I'm 85
years old, my husband died over 30 years ago. I have a grandson who had
to leave here because he was gay. He was beaten up and almost died from
his injuries. He never harmed another soul in his life. He is a kind
and wonderful boy and I think it is terrible that people who claim to be
Christians can show such hatred. God bless you Principal Jordan."
From somewhere toward the back, a voice was heard. "Sit down you old
bat!" Then from a different section, "yeah! you crazy old bitch!"
Bang!... Bang! "Please, that kind of outburst will not be allowed!"
At least 25 more people stood up and got in line. Justin saw the big
man he was waiting for, suddenly appear from behind a post and get in the
back of the line. He tried to get Ray's attention but to no avail.
Speaker after speaker said their piece and sat down.
"My name is Bob Arnett, my brother is gay and my son David, a member
of the baseball team, is also gay. I almost lost him last week because of
my stupidity. Because of me, my brother and I had not talked for years.
I was too stupid to recognize that he has a right to live his own life the
way he wants. I was wrong. I am proud of my brother and proud of my son.
I just wanted to say...."
A man jumped up and yelled at Bob, "You caused the riot in the stands,
you and that Carlos Papson. You fucking gay lovers cost us a shot at the
State playoffs. Nobody wants to hear anything you have to say .... you
ought to be ashamed of yourself.... a nigger-loving faggot for a brother
and a pansy-ass for a son. And you have the fucking nerve to stand up
there and tell us what to do!!"
Bob spun around and spied the guy about four rows from where he was
standing. The big man was so angry he made his way straight for him but
was restrained by a couple of his longshoremen friends who were sitting
together near the microphone.
BANG!... BANG!!... BANG!!! Will the Sergeant-at-Arms please see that
that man is REMOVED from this building. With the assistance of several
uniformed policemen, the man was forcibly taken to an exit still yelling
obscenities as the door swung open and he was taken outside.
A self-satisfied smirk appeared on Elder John's face. Things were
starting to turn in his favor.
Two more speakers had their say, both in favor of Elder John's
position, the smirk got just a little broader. When the next man stood
at the microphone, John recognized him as one of the guys from the bar.
'This couldn't get any better', he thought.
"Hello, my name is Charlie Dorgan but most of my friends just call me
'Crusher'."
There was a smattering of laughter from the crowd as they looked at
the huge man wearing a motorcycle jacket with no sleeves and a large
tattoo of a furled American flag on his left biceps.
"I'm not from this town but have been here for a few weeks with some
friends of mine. I don't have any skin in this game and really couldn't
care less what happens. I just thought you should know that the man
sitting at the table up there paid me and my friends to yell anti-gay
stuff to the players on the field. We were just trying to have a little
fun, hell I don't care if everybody in this town is gay. Matter-of-fact,
I have a few friends that swing both ways .... I just figure that's their
business, as long as they don't try to hit on me!"
Just then Ray spoke for the first time. "Mr. President, just so
there can be no misunderstanding, please ask the gentleman if he would
point to the person who paid him the money?"
Before the School Board President had a chance to respond, Crusher
pointed to Elder John. "That's him right there, you owe me some more
money, buddy! Fifty bucks each wasn't near enough for all the shit you
caused me and my friends. I've been looking to find your ass for over a
week!"
The smirk was gone. A murmur ran through the crowd, most of the
people were shocked at this new development. The School Board had paid
to cause the incident at the baseball game. This changed everything.
At that moment, Craig got up and opened the double doors that lead
back to the lockerrooms. The entire football team walked in wearing
their jerseys and led by John Gulley, the beefy football player who shook
hands with Justin in the cafeteria. They were followed by members of
the baseball team in their team jerseys. Most of them were carrying signs.
*Jocks against Gay Bashing*, *We love our Principal*, *Gay Students and
Friends Club*, *Straight or Gay, we'll find a way!*.
The contingent of nearly 50 jocks walked in silence and stood facing
the crowd with their placards in their hands. John Gulley stepped up to
the microphone as the noise level lessened a bit.
"On behalf of the athletes on the football and baseball teams, I
want everyone to know that we fully support Principal Jordan."
"He taught us the meaning of respect for one another. Straight or
Gay, White or Black, we are just students who want to end all this hatred.
We believe in God and the Bible but we believe in ourselves too. Principal
Jordan's policies did not turn any straight kids into becoming gay. All
his policy did was stop the violence and persecution of gays that we
thought was kind of expected from us."
"We respectfully ask the Board, parents and friends to end this
attempt to get rid of Mr. Jordan. He taught us not to put labels on
people simply because they are different from us. We love you Mr. Jordan
and we want you to stay."
A slow clapping sound started somewhere in the crowd. It built in
intensity until the sound was deafening. Tears welled-up as Ed Jordan
stood up from his chair. 'God, I am so proud of these kids', he thought.
'They had grown up right before my eyes. A teacher could never ask for
anything better than that.'
Elder John sat there in disbelief as the President of the School
Board made a motion that Ed Jordan's policy on Gays be approved as written.
The vote was seconded. Those in favor signified by raising their hands.
When the vote was taken for those opposed, the announcement was made that
it was five in favor with one abstention.
"This meeting is now adjourned." The gavel banged for the last time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Elder John opened the door to his apartment but didn't turn on the
lights. He slumped into his chair, a beaten man who in the course of one
week had lost everything. His only son was dead, his wife was filing for
divorce and would marry his brother. Now his God had apparently abandoned
him also. He was so very, very tired. He reached in the drawer of the
small table that held the lamp next to his TV set. His fingers found the
45 caliber pistol that he had purchased for protection many years earlier.
He picked it up and jammed the clip into the handle.
Outside his apartment door, John heard the sound of footsteps.
"God forgive me", he said as he put the gun to his temple.
BANG!
end chapter 31
Note: The final chapter will follow. My sincere thanks to everyone who
has contributed their ideas to this story over the many months
that it has spanned. You made it a far better story than I would
have been able to write on my own.
all the best, Ed
E-mails to: edswanky@yahoo.com