Saved by the Bell
-1-
His name was James Donald Bell
It's a common misconception that Benton Academy is the cradle for the Episcopal and Methodist bourgeoisie of Benton. In fact it's nothing more than a really redneck school. And the only way my mom and dad can afford to send me here is that my grandmother is footing the bill. My grandmother wants me to get the best education possible in this small town. She wants me to make something of my life.
My daily life in Benton Academy is hell. Sure I'm friends with some of the cheerleaders. Mainly Jamie and Lily Potter. But I'm not allowed to sit at the table with them. Well, I'm sure I could but the other cheerleaders would shun me. And unlike Jamie, who enjoys a measure of protection, I'm left to fend for myself most of the time.
That is until he came into my life. His name is James Bell, but his nickname is Daisy. James transferred from St. Katherine's Episcopal School, an super elite Episcopal School in Vicksburg to Benton Academy because he was getting bullied by his classmates. His uncle is this town's Episcopal priest and he is staying with him while he finishes his remaining two years of High School here at Benton Academy.
James is my boyfriend, and I'm blessed to have him. How did he become my boyfriend? Well I'm about to tell you that story now. It was one day. Lunch is easily the most segregated period of Benton Academy. Everybody sits with their own little group. You know, the cheerleaders sit together with the cheerleaders, the football players sit together with the football players, you get the picture. And I sit alone.
Anyway I was collecting my food one day when this huge guy bumped into me, my tray went up and the front of my blouse quickly became stained with a frozen hamburger patty that was floating in a sea of brown gravy. A mountain of mashed potatoes added a little color. Along with a splash of green from the smearing of green from English Peas. My shoes were soaked too and the guy just stood there.
“Hey! Queer.” He said in a thick southern accent. “What were the fuck your going.” And he reached down and picked up my carton of milk. I was too shocked to move and fuming like a cat. I had no idea at that moment Daisy had risen from his seat halfway across the room and was striding toward us. Snorting fire with each step he took.
“Oh? Does the baby want his milk?” He teased me. Now it's a common fact at school I'm transgender. I don't tend to hide that fact. Heck at that moment a trans pride pin, pinned to the front of my shirt. Did that paint a huge target on my back? Hell yes, did it matter hell no.
“I'm a girl you..” I started to say, but before I could finish, he had unscrewed the plastic lid and upturned the carton of milk over my head. The coldness of the milk took my breath and my cheeks turned a beet red as a chorus of laughter filled my ears. At that very moment, unknown to me Jamie was starting to move toward me. While all of this was going on, she had gone to fetch a teacher and get me a new uniform to wear, as now the clothes I was wearing needed a good long soak and a good long washing.
Looking back, Jamie did the most sensical thing I could think of. Daisy on the other hand, fueled by either rage or a sense of noblesse oblige shouted at the top of his voice.
“Hey! Leave that girl alone!”
And with that the glove had been thrown down. Now, normally in Benton Academy when a kid was bullied or picked on. The other kids would keep their heads down and look the other way. Others like Jamie would go fetch a teacher to deal with it. Nobody, and I mean nobody ever stood up to the bully.
The boy turned around and slowly moved toward Daisy who was standing there with his fist balled up.
“What did you say to me punk?” The boy said as he moved toward Daisy.
“I said leave that girl alone.” Daisy said standing his ground.
“You know she a fucking queer right?” He said. “You know she is one of those tranny kids that seem to be popping up all over school right? Like fuck even our homecoming princess was one.” He said as he moved toward Daisy.
“I said leave that girl alone now!” Daisy repeated himself.
“My dude.” The boy said. “You are about to get your ass handed to you if you don't step aside.”
I blinked and blinked again. Then it happened. The boy drew his fist back, and smashed it into the side of Daisy's face. I screamed, I swear I heard the boy's jaw bone crack. Daisy went down like a sack of rocks, his face seemed smeared with blood. The boy that hit him, just stood there grinning from one ear to the other. And me, I hung my head down. Here was a boy, a boy I had only met once in my life, taking a punch to the jaw for me.
“Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!” The crowd started to chant. A circle had now formed around the two. A deep circle. The loud chant of “Fight! Fight! Fight!” Rung in my ears. I turned around and noticed I was trapped, trapped by a ring of students who had all surged forward to watch the unfolding madness.
Then something happened. Daisy stood up, turned around and growled toward the other boy. Once turned his face to the side and spat out a large wad of blood and spit. The crowd roared with approval. The noise must have been heard a mile away.
“Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!” The Crowed started to chant louder and louder. I felt like crying all of this had happen because of me? If I'd not been such a push over then none of this would have started. None of this would have ever needed to have happen.
Daisy though stood up and then from his voice he muttered a cry that turned my blood cold. It was a cross between a bark, a shout and a growl. He launched himself at the boy and soon had him down on the ground. Once Daisy got the boy on the ground he went to work, punching him, the boy's face turned red, then it turned blue then it turned black. Daisy screaming like a demon released from the pit of hell kept punching away.
Blood, spit and a odd tooth flew around the room. The crowd roared with approval and shouted with joy. They seemed to revel in the bloodshed. I just stood there shocked and scared out of my mind. I was whimpering, I could feel the milk soaking into my hair and into my blouse, I could smell the peas and taste at the back of my throat the blood being spilled on the floor of the lunch room.
Then the tide turned. The bully caught his second wind, he pushed Daisy off of him and shoved him down onto the floor and once more pounced on him.
It was savage, The bully started to punch Daisy in the belly. Daisy groaned and whimpered and hissed with every punch. Thirty seconds that how long he took this torture before he managed to get a lucky kick in and smash the bully in the balls. Know, I know from being a boy for the first twelve years of life that if you get hit in the sack, it hurts like hell. And from day one we boys are taught never to hit another guy down there.
But well, when push came to shove, any part of the boy was fair game. And as expected the Bully went down as soon as Daisy removed his foot from his balls. Daisy then stood up, he was patting like a dog in summer, his face was covered in blood, his blonde hair was smeared in blood, his shirt unbutton and his chest rose and fell with the speed of a steam mill. His eyes, though his eyes seemed to burn with a rage that reminded me of the fires of hell.
Once more he screamed, a scream I will call a yell. And this time he brought his foot, square down upon the Bully's sack. The Bully howled in pain and rolled over on his side. I saw Daisy smirk, it was the most evil smirk I've ever seen grace a human face. And with that he cocked his foot back and like a football player kicking a field goal he smashed his foot into the Bully sack again, and again and again.
And then a shrill blast of a whistle brought everything to a standstill.
Saved by the Bell
-2-
Dead man Walking
“BELL! JONES!” A loud voice seemed to boom. The voice belonged to Mr. Coalfield. A brute of a man, Mr. Coalfield or Coach Coalfield as everybody in school called him was the boy's P.E Instructor and the head coach of the Benton Academy football program. His skin was brown as leather and his neck reminded of the shank bone of a ham. And his hands were thick like hot dogs.
“What in the blazing blue balls of hell is going on here.!” He shouted as he waded into the crowd. Like a bull rushing into a china shop he tossed students around as he broke apart the circle. “Can't a man enjoy his lunch in peace around this goddamn school anymore!” He bellowed and his voice sounded like a bullhorn.
All eyes in the room had now switched from Daisy and Jones to Coach Coalfield. Including mine. It was clear to all he was building up a good head of steam. And once he got rolling it was hard for him to stop. “I was eating my lunch in my office. When Potter came here and told me that there was a fight going on in the lunchroom. And that Jones had started the fight by tipping over Whitethorn's lunch tray.” He muttered. His beady brown eyes scanned the lunch room.
“Bell!” He shouted. “You look like you've gone fifteen rounds with a prized boxer! Get your fucking ass to the headmasters office. Then carry your fucking ass to the nurses office. Have her sew you up the best she can. Jones, carry your sorry ass to the nurses office first. You look like you got in a fight with a punching bag and the punching bag won.”
Now, I'm sure your wondering if it's proper for a teacher to swear at students. The answer is yes, and no. Normally a normal teacher would not swear toward a student. But Coach Coalfield was a different case. He was an army veteran and had done one to many tours in the sandbox. His jet black hair was always mowed into a crew cut. He always smelled of Old Spice aftershave and loved to brag about the men he killed, the women he banged and the medals he won.
I'm sure your asking yourself why in the world did the school hire him then? I can answer that question right now, because we needed a new football coach after the old one had dropped dead of a heart attack last year. And the talent pool for new teachers is shallower than puddle in summer in this part of Mississippi.
He then look around and peered toward Jamie who was just standing there, rooted in the ground.
“Potter!” I heard him roar as he peered Jamie. “You're a prefect! Damn that system to hell though. One of those damn reforms the new head is pushing through. Anyway you're in charge of your fellow students. Take charge then of Bell here and send him to the heads office. On the double girl.” He shouted as Jamie rushed toward Daisy and took him by the shoulder.
“Take note Potter.” I heard him shout at the top of his lungs. “James Donald Bell, Sophomore, was caught fist cuffing with John Paul Jones during lunch. For what reason, I'm not sure of.” He said as he looked around. I then saw him march up to Daisy and peer into his eyes. I heard him grow. “You ruin my chance at state boy. I will end your girly fucking ass do you hear me.”
“Pardon me sir.” I said stepping up.
“Whitethorn?” He said, peering at me. “What happened to you? Looks like somebody spilled their lunch all over you. You know you're supposed to eat your food don't you. Not play with. I thought they taught you that in kindergarten.” He muttered.
I took a deep breath.
“Sir. Jones knocked my tray over and poured my milk over my head. Daisy here was just defending me sir. I don't think he should be sent to the headmaster's office for that.” I said, taking a deep breath. “He also called me a slur. Sir.” I added trying to keep my cool.
“And what slur would that be.” He said as he looked around, it seemed the whole had gathered in the lunchroom to watch this unfolding drama. No doubt somebody would be tweeting about it or posting it on Facebook before the day was out.
“He called me a tranny sir.” I said blushing at the word.
“Well.” Coach Coalfield just smirked a little. “Considering you prance around school wearing a TransPride Pin pinned to the front of your school satchel along with the Gaypride pin. You do kind of paint a target on your back.” He said. He spun around and turned toward Jamie who was flushing a bright red.
“Potter, I want you to add to that note the following,” He took a deep breath. “That James Donald Bell, Sophomore, known as 'Daisy' to his classmates and peers. Was 'Defending' a young 'Lady' from being bullied. I'm sure the young hero would be expecting a medal and parade held in his honor for his daring display of chivalry.”
I swear at that moment Daisy looked like he wanted to reach out and box the coach's ears. His face flushed red and he lifted his lips to show his teeth. The coach just smiled.
“Potter.” growled as he shifted his eyes toward Jamie. “Do your job and take charge of Bell. And see a change of uniform is found for Whitethorn. Also get her cleaned up.”
And with that he turned around on his heel and started to march toward Paul Jones.
“Jones, you're with me. I'm going to see that Nurse Cindy snitches you up good.” He said as he placed his big, meaty hands upon Jones' big shoulders. He then guided Jones out of the lunch room.
I blinked and blinked again as I watched the two walk away. I then headed toward Jamie. Who had produced from her pocket a cord of red ribbon she seemed to think for a moment before she stuffed the ribbon back into her pocket. A moment later she turned toward Daisy and sighed.
“You, you, they're going to flog you for this right?” I heard her say to Daisy who just blinked.
“Your going to get the cane you know that right? It might even be public. Like in front of the whole school as a warning to those who might consider fighting. They're going to make an example of you. Don't you understand, you attacked a football player? They are going to crucify you!” I heard Jamie mutter under her bread.
“They crucified Christ.” Daisy said as closed his head. “Anyway, don't you have a job to do.” He said as he muttered he then looked at me.
“Hey! You okay?” He asked.
“I'm fine.” I said as I peered toward Daisy. “What about you?”
“A few scratches, a few cuts. Nothing much. I've been in far worse scraps in the backstreets of Vicksburg. Heck that was nothing compared to some of the fights I've been in in the school yard of St. Katherine.” He said with a big of a swagger.
“Okay, sorry for breaking up this little talk. But Cerridwen I need to get you to the girls shower and get you a spare uniform. I'll wash your uniform for you.. and Daisy I need to get you to the head office.” She said with a sigh. “Listen again.”
Daisy peered into Jamie blue eyes and said nothing. Jamie sighed and without saying a word she reached over and took Daisy by the shoulder and started to march him away.
“Dead man walking!” Cried somebody from the far side of the room. Then somebody else called out. “Dead man walking!” Cried out. And soon the chant of “Dead man walking.” Seemed to fill the air as Jamie guided us out. Daisy though just took a deep breath and straightened his back and seemed to smirk a little. His face was still covered with blood. He struck me as mighty handsome, dashing almost.
Saved by the Bell
-3-
The Son of God goes forth to War
I don't think one signal word passed between the three of us as Jamie guided Daisy out of the lunchroom and toward the headmasters office. Jamie and Daisy walked ahead of me, and I trailed a little behind the two. Then something happened, as we drew closer to the headmaster office. Daisy paused and took a deep breath. And then in a light, airy tone of voice he started to sing a cappella. The sound of his voice seemed to echo down the hallway.
“The son of God goes forth to war, a kingly crown to gain; his blood-red banner streams afar: who follows in his train? Who best can drink his cup of we, triumphant over pain, who patiently bears his cross below, he follows in his train.”
I blinked and Jamie blinked.
“The martyr first, whose eagle eye could pierce beyond the grave, who saw his Master in the sky and called on him to save: like him, with pardon on his tongue, in midst of mortal pain, he prayed for them that did the wrong: Who follows in his train?”
Jamie sighed and out of respect I think I just stood there. I was held in rapture by his voice and how softly the words rolled off his tongue. And as his blood and the blood my attacker mixed and dripped down on the floor. I could sense what Daisy was trying to do. He was expressing his displeasure at what was about to happen in the only way he knew possible. Through song.
“A glorious band, the chosen few on whom the Spirit came, twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew, and mocked the cross and the flame: they met the tyrant's brandished steel, the lion's gory mane; they bowed their necks the death to feel: Who follows in their train?
At this point a small crowd had gathered and the head appeared and she took a deep breath and out of respect paused as Daisy started on the third and forth verse. Now I was raised a pagan. I don't pretend to understand the Christian faith. Nor what spiritual force drives these people called Christians onward. I think for the most part it's a bunch of bullshit. But at that moment, standing before me, I knew I was standing the real thing. A noble knight who would defend the weak, who would uphold his honor at all cost.
“A noble army, men and boys, the matron and the maid, around the Savior's throne rejoice, in robes of light arrayed: They climbed the steep ascent of heav'n through peril, toil, and pain: O God, to us may grace be giv'n to follow in their train.”
“Daisy.” I said, wiping the tears away from my eyes. “That was beautiful.”
“Are you quite done Mr. Bell?” The head said as she appeared in front of us.
“I guess.” Daisy said in a cocky tone of voice. The Head blinked and sighed. “I was hoping to do this in private. But since you've attracted an audience. I guess we should do this right here and now in the hallway. Do you have any objections to that Mr. Bell.”
I blinked and I was about to say something when Daisy held up his hand and smiled.
“I think Shakespeare said it best when he said 'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players.' I welcome an audience to see this mistrial of justice.” He said, tossing his head back. Jamie blinked and the head flushed a beat red.
“Fine.” She closed the office door and a few minutes later she tossed it open, in her right hand she held a slender cane and in her left hand she held a chair.
“Mr. Bell, you have been accused of drawing attention to yourself. Of handling matters that should have best been left up to the school appointed prefect and staff. Of brawling with a fellow student. Of causing a stir in the hallway just now with your little performance just now and of being rude and smarting off to a member of staff. And how do you plead?”
I blinked and blinked again. This was something. This was something. I could not believe the scene that was unfolding before my very eyes. It was like a drama, but the drama was all too real. All eyes including mine now shifted toward Daisy who just stood there as if weighing his answer. Then turning his head around and peering into each of his eyes, his eyes though seemed to linger a little on mine a little too long.
“Guilty on all accounts.” He said, flicking his ponytail around.
The head blinked.
“Then Mr. Bell you are sentenced to four weeks of in school suspension. You will also have two two weeks of Saturday Detention.” She paused. “Furthermore, you shall be given six strokes with the cane. Here and now.” She said as she pushed the chair in front of them.
“I shall charge Ms. Potter.” She said as she handed the cane toward Jamie. “To carry out the sentence.” She shifted her gaze toward Jamie who seemed to take a few steps back.
“I would like to remind you, Miss. Potter.” The head said in a stern tone of voice. “That when you accepted the post of 'Prefect' you agreed to enforce the rules of the school and to command any and all legal order given to you by a member of staff.” The Head said in a stern voice as she pushed her glass up the rim of her nose.
“Furthermore, should you waver, I will have no choice but to see it as insubordination on your part. Which means you are not fit to discharge your duties as 'Prefect' anymore and will be removed.” The Head said, her English was very formal and stiff as a board. I don't know if she was always this formal, or if this was all part of the show.
“Furthermore, if you are removed from the office of 'Prefect' I will have no other choice but to remove you from your position as co-captain of the Varsity Cheerleaders. And also remove you from the squad.” The head said as she once more once more pushed the cane toward Jamie.
“Do I make myself clear Miss. Potter?” The head asked.
“Crystal,” Daisy butted in.
“You have just earned your yourself another stroke Mr. Bell.” The Head said gritting through her teeth.
“Anything else you would like to add?” The Head asked. As she watched Jamie take with trembling hands the cane from her hand.
“Oh yes, ‘Father, forgive them; For they do not know what they are doing'.” Daisy replied with a smirk as he watched Jamie take the cane from the head.
“Add another stroke Mr. Bell.” The head said in a resounding voice that echoed up and down the hallway. “I will not stand for your smart alec attitude. I don't know how they did things in St. Katherine's Mr. Bell, but here in Benton Academy we do things differently.”
“Six to one, half a dozen to the other.” Daisy said. “And by that I mean all these semi private school's are just the same. Benton Academy is nothing more than a former segregation academy trying to act like it's a poor copycat of St. Katherine's And St. Katherine's is nothing more than a private Episcopal School that tries to act British and fails.” Daisy said as he took a deep breath. “Right down to the 'Prefect System' and the use of the cane instead of the traditional paddle.”
The head blinked and blinked again and I swear at that moment I could have heard a pin drop. It was like somebody had sucked all the life out of the room. Daisy, though, just stood there and smirked a little.
“Add another stroke to that Ms. Potter.” The head said. “Anything else you would like to add to Mr. Bell?” The head said.
“Yes.” Daisy said as he tossed his head back again. “As a student of the Marquis de Sade. I quite enjoy the pain. So feel free to keep adding as many strokes of the cane as you wish. A good caning chills the blood and fastens the beating of the heart.” He said.
I could not believe what I was hearing! The more Daisy spoke the more I felt myself becoming enchanted with him. Here is a boy, who should have been begging for his life, he should have bent the knee eons ago and have accepted his fate. Instead he had refused to accept his face, and was now battering with the head! He was fearless. Even in the face of the towering authority he remained cool, calm and quick witted
“We shall soon see about that. Ms. Potter Discharge your duties.” The head said.
“Yes ma'am.” Jamie said as she moved toward Daisy.
“Assume the position..” Jamie said though her voice seemed strained to the breaking point.
“Et tu, Brute?” Daisy said, smirking.
To be continued.
'Assume the position' those words echoed in my ear as I stepped back. There was no possible way this could be going on. This was all a mistake. Daisy had defended me, he had taken up for me. He should have been hailed as a hero and here they were treating him like a common criminal.
Daisy took a deep breath and reached into his pocket. A moment later he was pulling out his wallet, his phone, and a string of beads, prayer beads. He handed the items to me. I don't know why but he did and with trembling hands I took them.
“Here. Keep these for me, I don't want them to get damaged.” He said as he walked into the middle of the hallway. As he passed Jamie he smiled and gently he patted her on her shoulders. I heard him whisper to her. “We all have a job to do. Do your job cousin.” He said as he took a deep breath.
As he released his breath he bent over and took hold of his ankles. Jamie looked pale as a sheet, she seemed to be shaking. Slowly she stepped forward and in a strained voice, a strained and hollow voice she called out.
“James Donald Bell. Sophomore, has been found guilty of fighting, drawing attention to himself, and being rude to a member of staff. And showing disrespect to a prefect. His sentence is nine strokes with the cane. To be carried out in public, a warning to all. I, Jamie Sarah Potter, a Junior and appointed perfect. Have been charged with carrying out the sentence. James Donald Bell, do you have any last words?”
Daisy shook his head.
“Very well.” Jamie said as she stepped toward Daisy. She seemed on edge, she almost seemed to be trembling as she drew back the thin cane. A moment later I heard the cane come whistling through the air. It made a horrible cracking sound as it smashed into Daisy's bottom. Dozens of students turned their heads to the side, dozens of more hissed.
“One!” Daisy shouted through the grit of his teeth as he clutched his ankles for support.
A few seconds passed before another stroke of the cane came sailing through the air. Again it smashed into Daisy's bottom sending another fiery crack into his frail body. I watched in horror as I watched the boy shiver and forced out a cry.
“Two!” He bellowed as he tossed back his head.
Jamie now looked as pale as a ghost. Her hands started to tremble. She drew the cane back again and as she closed her eyes, she brought the cane into his bottom. Sending a third stroke rolling into the back of his trousers. Daisy stumbled forward and tossed his head back as a shrill cry of.
“Three!” Escaped his lips.
All of this had happened because of me, because I'd been the target of some transphobic bully. I wanted to cry, instead I just clutched Daisy's wallet, phone and prayer beads to my chest.
Jamie, still pale as a ghost, drew the cane back again and closing her eyes tight she let the cane fly, sending it cracking into Daisy's bottom. Sending I'm sure another burning wave of sting and burn into the boy's bottom. A cough followed, followed by a gasp. And a few seconds later a weak and pitiful cry escaped his lips.
“Four.” Escaped Daisy.
The crowd at this point was horror stricken. The crowd that had been chanting for them to keep fighting was now looking in shock, shell shock I want to say it. Because I think then the truth was starting to dawn on them. This could have been any of them, any one of them could be called up and given six, seven, eight, hell even nine strokes of the cane.
Jamie at this point seemed to be on the verge of tears as she drew the cane back and struck hard at Daisy bottom. The thin little cane came whistling through the air and caused a hissing sound as it struck home again. This time Daisy stumbled forward and nearly lost his footing.
“Five!” Daisy crooked as his breathing started to quicken.
Jamie blinked and tears ran down her eyes. I saw the tears run from her eyes, down her face and drip off her chin. Before they splashed on the floor. She cleared away the tears with the sleeve of her uniform blouse before drawing back the cane and once more she drove on the sixth stroke.
“SIX!” Daisy bellowed as he once more stumbled forward. His voice once so full of life, bold and heroic now seemed hollow and dead. As that tone of voice reached my ears, I felt my heart lurch and my head shake.
Jamie seemed trembling as her hands trembled as she reached out and drew the cane back and struck his bottom again. Sending another hissing crack into the seat of his trousers. This time he did stumble over. Now, even the strongest man can be brought down by six strokes of the cane. To be given seven was truly horrible.
“Add another stroke for breaking form Ms. Potter.” The head said grinning. “A shame you were so close. Break form again Mr. Bell and we will have to start over again. Or I'll just add another stroke. Depends on how I feel at the moment.”
“Yes ma'am.” Jamie said, swallowing hard.
I mummer ran through the crowd. I felt my soul shatter, another stroke? They were going to beat the boy to death. I felt like Mary standing at the foot of the cross. That boy had risked life and limb to save me! He had come to my defense, he had only seen me once! He had already suffered so much! So much and now his suffering seemed to be never ending.
“For God's sake Daisy.” Jamie mutters. “Stay strong.” She said as she stepped back and cracked his bottom again. A little lighter this time, it still sounded cruel and still caused Daisy to toss his head back and howl. His howls echoed down the long hallway and seemed to make the glass panes in the windows shake.
“Redo that stroke Ms. Potter. And let this be a lesson to you. When you waver others pay the price. If I see you going light on him again. I will have no choice but to discharge you and remove you from the cheerleading squad. Do I make myself clear Ms. Potter.”
Jamie only nodded her head and trembling like a slender sapling in the face of the cold breath of December, she stepped toward Daisy, pushed her foot down and swung the cane like she was swinging a baseball bat. The cane cracked across Daisy bottom and another resounding howl filled the hallway.
“Seven!” Daisy bellowed as he clutched his ankles, tears were now falling down his cheeks. His body was quivering like a leaf. The crowd had grown silent. Mute was more like it.
Even the most callous of us were shocked and this sadistic display of power. Driving home the point was at any time any one of us could be given this very same treatment. I clutched Daisy's prayer beads in my hand and started to mutter a prayer.
“Eight!” Cried Daisy as Jamie struck his bottom again.
“NINE!” He cried a few seconds later.
“TEN!” His voice broke and a few seconds later he fell face first down upon the floor. Jamie fell down too and slowly she dropped and she cane on the floor. She then placed her hands in her face and started to weep.
“Right back to class everyone! Show over!” Called the head.
I was shocked and heartbroken. What had I just seen? I quickly rushed toward Daisy, not minding the milk splashing around in my bra, or the smell of English Pea's staining the front of my blouse. I just wanted to hold the boy. I rushed to his side, and turned him over. His face was pale, his breathing shallow. His eyes glazed over and I swear for a moment I saw a trickle of blood run down the corner of his mouth.
“Why?” I asked as I pulled him close to my chest. “You don't even know me, you've only seen me once? Why? Why James Donald Bell? Answer me?”
Daisy coughed and looked me dead in the eye.
“Because you're worth it.” He said drawing in a deep breath. “Nobody should be bullied because of what they are inside. Nobody should be bullied. Yes, the fight is often lost.” Daisy said as he forced himself to stand up. He fell back down. “But we are gaining ground, inch by inch and one day we will be free. If the meek shall one day inherit the earth. Then somebody has to go around to keep them safe until God decides he's had enough and comes down and shorts this mess out.” He said as he closed his eyes and then either from pain or emotional strain he passed out.
It was at that moment I fell in love with him. Such a noble creature, the noblest all to ever walk this earth. Who had endured so much not only for me, but for what he deemed was right. It was the finest example of Southern manhood I had ever seen displayed. It dawned on me then and there, that resting in the crook of arms was the man that I wanted to marry one day.
And that is how this part of my life ends. I had indeed been 'Saved by the Bell'. And I'm forever grateful for it.