Lucinda : Chapter Ten
Eclipse
At the start of February, every year, the school did a big project for English Grammar Class. The project consisted of the students picking any one influential African-American person throughout history and doing a report on them. The report had to be five pages typed. All the students had to submit the assignments by the third week of the month. The kids with the top three essays in the school got to read their papers at a banquet honoring local African-American community leaders. The rest of the reports submitted got the grades they deserved, they just weren't given the prestige of being read aloud at the public event. Even if a student was not presenting a paper, he or she was still allowed to attend the party. In the years before Lucinda arrived at the school, the top three reports were, Tai Xiang, Libby Chandler, and Lynette Wilson.
On the first day of February, Lucinda found out about the report from Mr. Carter. Lucinda didn't know who to choose. She didn't want to do a report that was too simple on someone with millions of pieces of information on. Lucinda wanted to do an interesting report on someone a little more obscure. Her favorite time period in history was the time around World War II. She didn't have any specific reason for liking the time, she just did. So, Lucinda figured it might be interesting to write up a report about someone from close to that era. Lucinda did her research and found someone that she thought might be good for a report.
Lucinda worked hard on her paper, all month long. She researched her person well. Collected all the data needed. Cited sources used. Finally, when it came time to hand in the assignment, Lucinda was confident she had done good enough to earn herself a decent grade. She had no clue that her paper was worth better than a simple letter on a page indicating how well a person did on an assignment.
After a furious couple of days of grading, it was announced to all the students, over loud speaker, that the three highest grades in the school belonged to, in this order. Tai Xiang, Lucinda Rayne, and Libby Chandler. Both Lucinda and Libby were shocked at the news. Libby ran to confront Lucinda over it.
Libby tore at her hair, then exited the principal's office. She saw red. Her next course of action was to confront Lucinda. Order the girl not to go to the feast. Lucinda had better listen to her if she knew what was good for her. Libby stalked Lucinda until she found her. "Lucinda, don't go to that dinner and read your paper."
Lucinda blinked in confusion. "Uh… why?"
"Because I don't want you to!" Libby snarled.
"I'm sorry, you don't like it, Libby. You'll still get to share your report. I'm going to that banquet and I'm going to read my paper." Lucinda defended.
Libby wags an angry finger in Lucinda's face. "I'm warning you. Don't show up at that dinner on Friday. If you know what's good for you."
Mr. Chandler, having heard Libby's shouting all the way in his office, entered the hallway, just in time to see Libby threatening Lucinda. "Libby Marie Chandler, in my office, now."
Libby cringes at the use of her middle name. "But, Daddy!" She whines.
Remaining firm, Mr. Chandler crossed his arms, looking at his daughter, seriously. "Libby, I mean it. In my office, now."
Libby walks in the direction of her father's office, scowling over her shoulder at Lucinda. Lucinda ignored the angry look and walked away. Libby was furious about not being able to destroy Lucinda, once and for all. To Libby, it seemed Lucinda led a charmed life. Nothing Libby did or thought seemed a good enough punishment for Lucinda. Libby was too stubborn to let it go. Lucinda will pay for this slight. Libby Chandler does not take to getting beaten with it came to school, well.
Mr. Chandler sat, peacefully, behind his desk, while Libby paced the floor. "Care to explain yourself, young lady? Why were you threatening another student?"
Libby was astounded at the situation. Libby had gotten top grades since kindergarten. Only once in a while, did she slack off on studying. Usually, when she was tired of studying all the time to maintain herself. But Lucinda never cracked a book, that Libby had ever seen. There was no way that Lucinda could have beaten her. Not at this. "Daddy! She couldn't have done better than me on the assignment. Lucinda must have cheated! There's no way she could have beaten me on that report. She never studies!"
Mr. Chandler remained calm. "Libby, she didn't cheat. How could she? Nobody else in the school chose the same subject as her. The paper was well written. She cited all her sources, correctly. She did an outstanding paper."
Libby's mannerisms resembled that of a caged tiger. "Then how did she beat me?"
Mr. Chandler observed his daughter's agitation with patience. "Perhaps you should focus more on studying and less on hating her. Maybe then, you might have gotten a better grade than her on your own schooling. Face it, Libby, since your vendetta with Lucinda, began, your studies have faltered. Your grades show it."
Libby waved her arms, as she talked. "You don't understand."
"You're right, I don't understand." Mr. Chandler agreed. "I don't understand how the sweet little girl I lived with for the past 13 years, could be so vicious and rude to someone her own age." Mr. Chandler sighed." I love you, Libby. I want to see you do well. In life as well as school. Can't you see that your feud with Lucinda is hurting you, as well?"
Libby groaned. "Ugh! STOP LECTURING ME ABOUT HER!" Libby glared at her father. "Tell Lucinda she can't attend the banquet!"
Mr. Chandler shakes his head. "I'm sorry, I can't do that. She earned her place at that dinner, the same as you and Tai. If she wants to go and present her paper, she may. Like her or not she does have some rights."
Libby stamped her foot. "I don't care about her rights!"
"Clearly." Mr. Chandler remained cool.
Continuing her tantrum, Libby spat. "SHUT UP!"
"No, Libby, I will not." Unhappy with the level of disrespect that Libby was showing him, Mr. Chandler leaned forward in his chair, clasping his hands on the top of his desk. "Everyone has the right to live and exist in this world and this school. Lucinda earned her right to go to the banquet and to present her paper. If she wants to go, I see no reason to stop her. She has done nothing wrong. As for you, young lady, continue behaving like this and you won't be going to the party."
This threat stopped Libby's fury and pacing in it's tracks. "You can't. Who will present my paper?"
"I will." Mr. Chandler spoke in measured tones. "And you will be left home with a babysitter. If you want to act like a baby, you'll be treated like one. You have a choice, Libby. Will you continue to act like a spoiled brat or will you behave yourself so you can be allowed to present your essay at the dinner on Friday?"
Libby sat in a chair across from her father's desk. "I'll behave."
"Behaving means no more picking on Lucinda or raging about getting rewards that she earned on her own merits." Mr. Chandler explained the kind of behavior that was required of Libby.
Libby opened her mouth about to start arguing, again, but thought better of it. "Fine."
"Oh and if an incident were to happen involving Lucinda getting into enough trouble to the point where she won't be able to attend the banquet because of it and she says she didn't do it, I will blame you." Mr. Chandler warned.
"You'd believe her over me?" Libby asked.
"Yes." Affirmed Mr. Chandler. "I've seen some shocking thing out of you, this year, Libby. I feel like I've been living with a stranger." Mr. Chandler set his jaw. "My point is, leave Lucinda alone."
Libby felt like a lost child that was desperate to please her father. "Okay."
"You can go back to class, if you want. But first…" Mr. Chandler opened his arms to his daughter. "Can I get a hug from my princess?"
An unsure Libby goes around the desk to give her father a hug that lasts barely a second, then she heads back to class. Libby was true to her word. She didn't pull any pranks to get Lucinda into trouble. This worked out for Lucinda, because she had her own troubles to worry about. Not being bothered by Libby was one less problem to distract Lucinda.
Lucinda's first order of business, that week was to find a ride to the banquet. Cheryl Rayne was even more awkward in public than Lucinda. Even though Cheryl supported her daughter, but still could not be brought to attend the event. Lucinda had to make arrangements with someone to take her to and from the event.
After talking to Rachel, Lucinda discovered that Rachel was in a similar situation as Lucinda. Both of Rachel's parents had to work the night of the dinner, so Rachel asked Rebecca to inquire of her mother to see if she'd take Rachel and Lucinda to the banquet. Mrs. Parker was a member of the Parent/Teacher Association (PTA) and was very active at school functions. Rebecca and her mom would definitely be going to the Black History Month Dinner. All Rachel and Lucinda had to do was ask Rebecca if she'd be willing to get her mom to take a few extra passengers to the event. Rebecca agreed. The next day, Rebecca returned with the good news. Her mom would be more than happy to transport Lucinda and Rachel to and from the banquet. That done, Lucinda now had to figure out what she would wear to the thing.
The Dinner was a formal gathering. Meaning no jeans nor t-shirts were to be acceptable. Lucinda had a skirt and a nice blouse, that she wore on the rare occasions when she and her mother went to Sunday Church Services. The skirt was badly wrinkled and the top had a small stain on the front. They had no iron for the skirt, but some hand-washing on the shirt, with a little detergent, was able to lighten the stain, not remove it entirely. Lucinda tried on the outfit. It would have to do. Time was short and neither Lucinda nor her mother had the money to go clothes shopping for good clothes. With the clothes picked out, all Lucinda had to worry about was her shoes.
Lucinda didn't have a pair of good dress shoes. Whenever it came time to go shopping for clothes or shoes, dress shoes were often overlooked. Lucinda didn't wear them everyday, like sneakers. On top of that, Lucinda had flat feet. She couldn't wear just any shoe for extended length of time without experiencing pain in the arches of her feet, Lucinda got shoes for comfort rather than for specific events. Nevertheless, Lucinda's everyday sneakers wouldn't do at a formal event, like a banquet. Lucinda needed shoes.
Lucinda sat on her bed for awhile, thinking the problem through. She had a neighbor she was friends with despite hers and her mother's antisocial habits. Perhaps they would let Lucinda borrow for the event. Lucinda informed her mother about what she was going to do, then went across the hall to talk to the neighbor. When she returned, Lucinda had the shoes in her hand. The footwear didn't match her skit and was a size too big, Lucinda figured she'd stuff them with tissue paper to make them fit. It had to do. Lucinda's attire for the banquet was complete.
The night before the dinner, Lucinda put her skirt between her mattress and box spring to try to get rid of some of the wrinkles. The skirt was still a little creased, regardless of Lucinda's efforts. The next morning, she had to attend school as normal, but once she came home, again, she'd have to start getting herself ready. Mrs. Parker was coming early, to pick her up for the event. Lucinda was quick in getting herself dressed. Instead of her normal, boring ponytail, Lucinda brushed her hair back, and pulled the sides up, styling it into something a little more nicer and formal for the occasion. Lucinda borrowed some of her mother's perfume, to make herself smell nice. Then, she put on her borrowed shoes, stuffed with tissue paper. The paper in the shoes was not enough to make them fit. Lucinda still clopped wherever she went. Too late to do anything about that, now. Once she was all ready, Lucinda went to look at herself in a full length mirror attached to her closet. Lucinda had tried her best, but still managed to look like a slob. Big shoes, wrinkled skirt, stained blouse. Lucinda's clothing was a mess and there was nothing more she could do with it. She accepted her state of dress, putting on her coat and mother's scarf, then walked out to wait for Mrs. Parker, with head held high.
When Mrs. Parker's car pulled into the parking lot of Lucinda's apartment building, Lucinda was ready for her. She exited her building, waved, and got in next to Rachel and Rebecca, when the car stopped. "Thank you for the ride, Ma'am."
Mrs. Parker smiled at Lucinda. "You're very welcome, Lucinda." She noticed Lucinda's shoes. "Oh, my! Aren't your shoes a little big for you, dear?"
Lucinda blushed. "Uh… Sorry, Mrs. Parker. I didn't have any dress shoes, I had to borrow these from a neighbor."
Mrs. Parker nodded, waiting for all the girls to get themselves buckled in. "Do you think you'll be comfortable in those, all night?"
Lucinda, already situated. "I don't have any other choice. I can handle it, ma'am."
Mrs. Parker wanted to say more, but decided against it. Instead, she put the car in gear and drove to the church where the banquet was being held. Once there, Mrs. Parker and the girls hung up their winter things, then went to go find their table. They were seated at the same table as Libby and her parents. Libby eyed Lucinda with a mixture of disdain and gloating over Lucinda's poor attire.
After greeting the new arrivals to the table, Mrs. Liz Chandler chose to spoke politely to Lucinda. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lucinda."
Lucinda, nervous about speaking in front of the room full of people, did her best not to show it. Instead, she sat up straight and was very polite to all the adults around her. "It's nice to meet you, too, ma'am."
"Are you nervous about presenting your paper?" Liz Chandler was being cordial.
"A little, ma'am." Lucinda admitted.
Liz chuckled. "I understand. You do realize that you don't have to call me 'Ma'am.' It makes me feel old. Please call me Mrs. Chandler."
Lucinda shrunk a little in her seat. "Sorry, Mrs. Chandler. I have to be polite and respectful."
"Those are wonderful and admirable qualities. Your mother must be very proud of you." Liz beamed at the young girl. "Where is your mother, this evening?"
Lucinda spoke honestly. "Mom's more awkward and nervous than I am, when it comes to being around people. She decided not to come, Mrs. Chandler."
Liz frowned. "Aww, why are you both so shy?"
"I don't know, ma'am. We just are. Like mother like daughter, I guess." Lucinda didn't want to confess that she was simply shy, while her mother just didn't get along well with others.
"How true that is. Some have been known to mistake me and Libby for sisters because we are so much alike." Liz joked. "Well, sweetie, you don't have to be scared around me. Relax and enjoy yourself. This is your night to shine."
Libby rolled her eyes at the conversation her mother was having with Lucinda. In her head she was thinking that parents were stupid. It was obvious to Libby that Lucinda was putting on an act. How could my mother buy this?
"Next year, you move on to high school, there are two high schools in the city. East and West. The districts are divided up based on where students live. Do you know which one you'll go into?" Liz continued the conversation.
"I don't know." Lucinda shrugged. She gave her address to Mrs. Chandler so she could help Lucinda find out into which school she would attend the next year.
"Ah!" Liz exclaimed. "You'll be going into West, same as Libby. Wonderful, you and Libby can stay friends. Maybe you'll have some of the same classes together."
Lucinda and Libby shared a look of 'not going to happen.' Each for different reasons. Libby's reasons were obvious. Lucinda knew her mother's patterns. There was no way she'd be around, next year, when High School would start. Her mother always found some arbitrary reason to move away from an area. Lucinda tore her gaze away from Libby to look around the room, feigning nervousness. Answering Liz's comment, Lucinda said. "I don't know, ma'am. When does this thing start and what am I supposed to do?"
Mr. Chandler decided to join the discussion. "First, the superintendent, Mr. Chalmers, will stand up, approach the podium, and give a speech. He'll greet the guests, welcome everyone to the banquet, and then sit down. Once Mr. Chalmers has returned to his seat, it'll be my turn to talk. I'll announce the sequence of events for the evening. Then, I'll call up to the stage, the students that are presenting their papers, you'll come up, read your paper aloud when your name is called, then you'll take your seat, again. After all the students have presented their work, it'll be time to eat. After we have dinner, I'll make another announcement, bidding everyone farewell. Then you can go home." Mr. Chandler paused for breath and a sip of water. "Word of advice, the P.A. system isn't the greatest, so, when you go up to the podium, don't mess with the microphone, too much."
Lucinda nodded, understanding all the information given her. "Okay, sir."
Mr. Chandler glanced at his watch. "The program should be starting any minute." He sees Mr. Chalmers stand and start for the front of the room. "Ah! There's the superintendent, now. Get ready."
Lucinda went silent. She watched and listened to the speeches, respectfully and politely, until it was her turn. Covering a bundle of nerves, Lucinda rose, clopping to the podium, when her name was called. She was a little short, thus Lucinda had to adjust the microphone to her height. Then, she presented her paper. Lucinda gave good eye contact to all who were paying attention, however her fear got the best of her and she stuttered her way through it. At last, she had finished reading. Lucinda returned to her seat feeling like a failure for messing up with her speech so many times. She was courteous to Libby, while Libby was speaking, even though Libby didn't give her the same respect during her turn talking. Lucinda had never been more grateful to have dinner, for that signified the end of the event. She wanted to go home and wind down from the banquet. When the time came for Lucinda to go home, she wound up leaving her mother's scarf behind.