The Naughty Couple!

[Drownedinp]

When I answered it there was Pablo. 

"Mr. J. How are you?"

"I'm good Pablo how are you?"

"Mr. J. Could I get Maria's address, so I can write to her I really miss her!"

"I looked at the address on my house 4420 W."

"That's here!" He said!

"Maria I said behind the door, you have a visitor!"

"Who?" She said.

When they seen each other. They were in each others arms!

"Mr. J. Said you were so drugged up you didn't know which end was up?"

"I was they found a med that worked for me, one of the side effects is lack of bladder control, I asked em, how would I know?" 

She smiled at Pablo. 

"Man I've missed you! When Mr. J. told me what you were like, it broke my heart like it did his!

I was going to send you a letter.

Thanking you for the time you spent with me.

I didnt think I would ever see you again.

That's why l came to ask for the address of where you were at.

I wanted to visit you even if you would of bit me.

I still would of been close to you!

I would of still loved you!

I know Mr. and Mrs. J. Still loved you."

"I missed you Pablo!

Especially since I got on the new meds.

I just wished you would of visited me!

I wanted to tell you I loved you as well!

By the way arent you getting ready to be a Sophmore?"

"Yeah and you should be right there with us ready to promote as well!" Said Pablo.

"No, now I'm a year behind the kids that I went to school with, I got behind another year being in a drug induced stupor!

I was working on my GED at the hospital  I was in."

"You should come back to school everybody would be so glad to see you! Rachel and the other Cheerleaders would be so glad to see you.

They ask me about you all the time!

When I told them about what Mr. J. told me what you was like Rachel cried for you!

She said she would remember you like you was, not like you are!

Or were!"

"Dad do you think they would let me back into school?"

"I dont see why not? Do you think your up to the stress of school?" I asked her?

"Dad I want to find out!."

[Drownedinp]

We took her and got her back in school.

She was a freshman and Pablo was now a Sophmore.

She had to take what was referred to as bonehead classes, her classes at the hospital, though they helped her get her GED the hospital wasn't an accredited high school.

Last class she had completed was 8th grade. 

Maria impressed me she worked her butt off and was moved to her Sophmore year with about 6 months left, she continued to work her butt off.

It was nothing to see me and her doing our homework, with the internet it was so much easier than when I was a kid, looking things up in thick books called Encyclopedias, wonder how I ever made it through without the internet.

By the end of the school year I was still a freshman in college, Maria got the summer off and would be a Junior.

I was going to Summer semester.

Come September though I would be a Sophmore.

One of my biggest supporters was Ms. Larson, her and Candy, Maria, and Pablo since he was at our house so much visiting Maria!

School started again and I was a Kindergarten teacher again.

I had one parent that complained that at the time I wasn't a certified teacher.

Ms. Larson asked him if he would like to pay more taxes?

"Hell no!" The guy said, 

She explained that I was keeping costs down for him by me not being certified yet! 

He wanted to know why more teachers weren't non certified to keep costs down?

"Well thats easy were only allowed one and Mr. Jensen is our One!

It is difficult to get the school board to allow us one.

After that I was his favorite teacher! 

I got to see Mr. English again he dropped by to see Maria.

He asked her to speak to prospective parents that were considering being Foster Parents or adopting kids.

Like us we got to talk, she was the daughter that got away.

After we did our spiel there were plenty of tears shed.

We still consider Maria our daughter even though there is nothing anywhere that says we are legally!

She still sees us as mom and dad.

She lives with us.

If we could go back a couple of years earlier and legally adopt her knowing what was going to happen we still would!

We got more people sign up for becoming fostor parents! 

At school I had a kid, I just knew he was being abused.

One day I saw his ribs and before the day was out he had been removed from the home, it was neither the mother or dad.

He had a 17 year old brother that was abusing him.

His brother was so close to being 18 he was charged as an adult.

Once his parents were cleared.

He was returned home. He was back in my class.

He thanked me for helping me stop Robert his older brother from hurting him!

I find I have another girl that reminded me so much of Kellie.

She was a wetter and for some reason I scared her to death, after about a month as her teacher, she wasn't scared of me no more. Unfortunately the wettings continued!

One day I focused on her I kept her so busy.

At the end of the day she hadn't wet all day I praised her and I encouraged her to stay dry tomorrow.

Next she did have an accident, I praised her and she was all smiles!

Next day she managed a dry day again, her smile was from ear to ear, she was the best kid.

She did tell me she stayed dry because of me, talking to her I had been the only adult in her life that noticed if she wet or not, I was the only person that cared about her!

Her one dry day stretched into two days, we had made it a whole 5 days without an accident.

I got to meet her parents at a Parent Teacher Conference.

I was surprised at their lack of caring, it seemed to me that as long as she wasn't home in their hair they could care less about Carla!

They hadn't even noticed that Carla had gone a week without an accident. 

Let's just say a little birdie turned them over to CPS about their lack of caring about Carla.

I didn't see Carla for about a week.

Next time I saw her, Ms. Larsen brought her to school!

Turns out she was her new Fostor mother! 

Ms. Larsen saw me at lunch one day she told me that Carla said "Mr. Jensen said this and Mr. Jensen said that!"

When I told her Mr. Jensen was one of my favorite teachers, she Said mine to!

She seems to think the sun rises and sets on Mr. Jensen!

You are definately a positive influence in that girls life! 

Later in life she became the Director of the board of education for the state of Arizona.

She talked about her first teacher she had in Kindergarten how he was probably the best example of a positive male role model she had ever had, her parents were not the best role model she needed.

We need more teachers like Mr. Jensen!

[Drownedinp]

Pablo took Maria out on A proper date.

Neither had a car.

I ended up driving them.

I attempted to just tell them that I was like a cab driver, I didn't really exist. 

They went to Denny's for dinner.

I remember those days, never having money to go anywhere very nice, they were going out to a movie afterwards.

These days you can see a movie for $6 or $7. It cost as much for popcorn and drinks.

Last time I took Candy to a movie we got inside for less than $15.

I spent nearly $40 for popcorn and a drink for the each of us, that was no candy, nothing but popcorn and sodas.

It cost almost as much as I spent on dinner.

I didn't know how much money Pablo had.

I slipped Maria an extra $40 just in case.

I sat in my car, thank God I had a book on my phone I was listening to. It was one of those that had you on the edge of your seat! 

Maria had her face done up by Candy, she had this bright red, I would call it Firetruck Red lipstick!

She was a beautiful girl to begin with but after makeup, she should be a model!

Pablo was a very lucky boy! 

I was listening to my book when people started to come out I saw my two, I considered Pablo a pseudo son.

Even though he had a mother, I felt like was one of mine. 

When they got closer I had to smile, Pablo had the same red lips that Maria had, they had been kissing.

Ah to be young and in love.

Happened to me and Brenda a few times.

Candy even once or twice!

I handed him a tissue and whispered wipe your lips.

He looked at me funny and did, he saw the red come off his lips.

Now Pablo is pretty dark completed, I could still tell he was blushing! 

I didn't ask anything I told then I was just the cab driver tonight! Didn't stop me from wondering!

We dropped Pablo off at his house. Thanks Mr. J.

Pablo's mother Anita came out and we talked for a bit.

She looks better than the first time I met her. 

She looked at her son and at Maria.

"Looks like the kids enjoyed themselves, my son has second hand lipstick, on his lips from your daughter!

Only one way to get it like that," she smiled!

After Pablo was dropped off, I asked "Well how was the movie?"

"Movie?" She looked panicked.

I had to smile, "Don't worry, I was young once as well believe it or not, I missed a few movies, I was at as well!"

She smiled back.

"Daddy, I think I love Pablo.

Most guys that had sex with me they forced me.

Paolo keeps telling me he is willing to wait until I'm ready.

I'm not ready yet!

She saw the look on my face.

No not yet daddy. But one day I will be if I share myself with anyone, I think it could be Pablo!

Or somebody I love just as much!"

"Well you know I like Pablo!

But I think maybe you should wait until marrage, I was still a virgin when I married my first wife Brenda.

Candy was like you she had been sexually abused by her father, I wanted until Candy was ready to have sex with me!"

"Were you married before having sex with Candy?" Maria asked?

"Unfortunately no, it made it weird, l thought I may have screwed up any relationship I would of ever had with her, I was no better than her father!"

"I understand, that's how Pablo feels, if he makes love to be before were married he isn't much better than most of my foster fathers that I've had!

I'm sorry but that's what I was expecting from you.

You've been different daddy you've proved me wrong.

I wish I  could have known you when you were my age, I definately would of loved to have dated you! I'm sure if any daddy's tried anything you would have kicked their assess!

[Drownedinp]

We got home, Candy was still up.

How was the movie," she asked Maria?

"Good, said Maria.

Mom if you must know, we didn't watch much of the movie.

We kissed and held hands through most of it!" 

"That's my girl! I could tell, your lipstick is all messed up!" Candy smiled.

"Are you disappointed in me, mom?"

 "Disappointed?

No dear!

Your a living, breathing, hot blooded young woman!

Why would I be disappointed?

If I had a dollar for every movie my lipstick was smeared after.

Heck even with your father we've had a few."

Candy hugged her.

"I guess it's a right of passage!" Said Candy.

"I was hoping you wouldn't think I was cheap, all we did was kiss and hold hands! I'm not ready to go further yet!" Said Maria.

"One day you will, Pablo will be one lucky guy!" Candy said.

They hugged again!

We all got ready for bed it was getting late it was almost 11pm.

I sat and remembered when 11pm on a Friday night I was still out dragging Central Ave here in Phoenix.

11pm meant its getting late nowdays!

What the hell happened?

"That was 40 years ago, my brain told me.

40 years, 40 years?

It can't be that long ago?

You got out of High School 42 years ago dummy! 

My brain said. 1977 remember?"

Unfortunately it seemed like at the most 15 years ago I still remember the graduation ceremony, seems like it was yesterday!

I was humming "Pomp and Circumstances" the graduation march music.

Like yesterday Carolyn Isom, Richard Jensen, I walked up and the Principal Mr. Laskey, handed me my diploma case.

We didn't actually get the diploma until we handed in our gowns.

So we wouldn't steal them!

I wouldn't want to steal one of those gowns.

They were an ugly Blue color.

The girls wore white ones.

The boys a medium blue.

Then we went and we partied hearty.

I got home at like 3am.

Like I said what happened?

My buddies and I the next few years drove up and down Central Ave "dragging" was what we called it.

About two years later I started working as a Security Officer for the courts.

I had a good friend that was a couple of years older than I was, he was 29, he was a clerk for the courts.

I saw what he did and I figured I could do that! Next opening they got for a clerk I applied I was 22 years old.

The guy that was my friend he introduced me to his cousin who was 20 years old named Brenda.

After that, it was Brenda that was "dragging" Central with me!

We were married about a year later.

A year after that our first child was born.

After that we never "dragged" Central again.

I guess we had to grow up we were parents.

I still hung out at our house with my friends.

On weekends we still drank to dang much.

How my so called buddy got my wife Brenda pregnant with my daughter Melissa! 

If I had known I would of killed him, the least I would of done is castrated the son of a bitch.

Then again, I was thankful for Melissa I loved her! 

I guess I owe him that.

I didn't have to do a damn thing he was drinking his way to killing his liver already.

5 years after Melissa was born he was dead.

I mourned the loss of my friend.

I didn't find out Melissa wasn't mine until some 20 years later.

I still missed him at times.

Still do! I miss Brenda everyday!

I have Candy whom I really do love, but we've been together just a few short years.

I was married to Brenda for many more years.

I have to admit Candy makes losing Brenda that much more bearable!

I don't know what I would of done without her!

I would probably be pickling my liver like my buddy.

Instead I'm a Kidergarten teacher and going to school at nights to get my college teaching certificate.

I'm alive and so far "knock wood!"

My liver is great!

I have more kids than I've ever had I had 3 with Brenda, well 2.

With Candy we have more than three times that many and the best part was the kids most of them came from places that weren't the best for kids to be growing up in.

I count Maria as my daughter, even though there is no legal paperwork saying she is, I would fight anybody that says she isn't.

It's not them that she calls mom and dad!

[Drownedinp]

I went to my school I had a test, I knew the information backwards, forewards, upside down.

I had lived through the tine.

I was sure I nailed it.

When my paper came back, it had B- on it.

B-, how the hell did I get a B-?

I knew the stuff cold.

I was disappointed I had expected an A-, B+ at least. 

The teacher asked me to stay after. "I could tell you were a bit dissatisfied with your grade."

"Was I that obvius?" I asked.

"Richard you are one of my brightest students but you tend to put your own spin on the history, yeah I know you and I lived through it.

But the class wants what is in the book.

The textbook answer.

I have to agree with your views they are very insightful. 

But not what is written in the textbook. 

"Thank you for keeping me humble!

I thought I knew this stuff forwards, backwards, and upside down!"

"You do, you do. It's just not what is written in the book!

If I had written the textbook, you would be spot on and I would have to give you an A.

But I didn't write it, unfortunately.

It's not the curriculum that I have to teach."

"Understood Ms. Klingthorp!"

"Please, were about the same age, call me Jessica!

[Drownedinp]

"Can I call you Ms. Jessica?

We have several teachers that the kids, can't pronounce their names, the title of respect is to call them Mrs. E.

Her name is Enriquez but they just call her Mrs. E.

I still see you as my teacher Ms. Jessica."

"I can live with Ms. Jessica.

But it's Miss Jessica, after my husband divorced me I went back to Klingthorp, my Maiden name."

"Okay Miss Jessica it is then!" 

I went home and started reading the textbook, I did pay like a $100 for it I guess I should read it.

The subject was the Nation's Bicentenial, 1976, it was the summer before I started my Senior year of High School, I was 17 years old,  I turned 18 the following October.

I had my 1st car a 1974 Datsun B210 l think. It was dark blue, tiny but at about that time there was an oil embargo and gas topped out at over a buck a gallon.

I remembered all my older relatives complaining that gas was over a dollar a gallon.

Good Lord I remember when I used to pay .15 cents a gallon.

Wonder what they would say if they saw a sign from California where gas was over $5 a gallon now.

They would be turning over in their graves!

I had inherited the car from my dad's mother who had died.

It was the most uncoolest car, it was no Trans Am, no Mustang, it was a foreign car but it got the best gas mileage!

Datsun Eventually became Nissan.

I was thankful that I was getting about 20 miles a gallon or more.

My buddy's that had the sportier models were getting 12 miles per or less per gallon.

Course they had 400 ci under their hood or 350 ci's I think mine was in cc's like 1100 if I remember right.

It was nearly 45 years ago! 

Gerald Ford was in The White House.

He would be beaten by Jimmy Carter in November.

Gerald Ford the only president not elected as Vice President that was president.

Richard Nixon was elected President with Spiro Agnew  as Vice President.

Agnew got caught up in a scandal he resigned then the speaker of the house was put in as VP, Ford.

Then Watergate happened and Nixon was forced to resign as president.

Ford was moved to President and had Rockefeller as his VP.

There had a few others that had been elected as VP, and then the president died or was assassinated and the elected VP became President. 

This was the first time a Non Elected VP became President. 

Who said history was boring?

 

[Drownedinp]

We were starting to get into the holidays.

Thanksgiving was just around the corner.

We heard that Mr. English was now retired.

"Damn, I was going to miss him.

He was not only our case manager but he was also a good friend.

We asked the kids to come up with a Christmas Wish List from Santa. Of course they wanted EVERYTHING!

If we got everything on their lists it would total $31,357.90. 

Including shipping. Guess they werent getting everything they wanted.

The one thing that Maria wanted we couldnt give her!

She wanted to belong to a loving family!

In a way she already had that?

Whether or not she knew it or not she was a part of our family.

There were no papers stating this and since she was already 18, there was no way to accomplish this!

But we loved her just as much as our adopted kids, the time that she was away from our family was pure heartache!

We were so hoping to make her a part of our family!

Candy and I took her aside we told her that to us she was already a part of our family.

A very important part. 

She told us she knew that and really saw Candy and I as mom and dad.

But she wished that she could still be adopted by us!

A day or so later we were at home we were cleaning our house top to bottom getting it ready for the start of the holiday season.

The doorbell rang that wasn't anything new, I thought it was just Pablo.

When I answered the door there stood Mr. English.

I was totally caught by surprised.

I kind of stared at him for a few seconds too long.

"Can I come in I think I might have a solution to your dilemma!"

"Which one?" I asked?

"Maria!" He said!

"Come on in!"

He had Maria, Candy and I sit in the living room.

"I think I might know a way for you to adopt Maria!"

"How?" All three of us asked at the same time.

He began. "Children with special needs are adoptable until they are 21 years old.

Those with physical, mental disabilities.

Now with your mental illness that you have Maria, we might be able to get you labeled as totally disabled.

Now this would mean, your parents would be your guardian forever, you wouldn't be able to make decisions on your own, they would make them.

You would be found not mentally capable of making any decisions!

If we get you found like that we can get them to be your mother and father quicker as you won't have a say in the adoption like you did before."

"Where do I sign up?" Maria asked?

"First of all we petition the courts to find you mentally unfit!

Then we proceed to the adoption.

Since your body is fit and you use your mind is in school.

That is going to pose a problem we have to prove that school is causing you a problem with your sanity!

"That's easy I quit taking my meds for a couple of days, instant monster!" Maria said!

We have to prove you need a guardian to make sure you take your meds.

We will get you placed under a 72 hour psych evaluation.

Then it gets easier and easier for them to be your parents. 

Are you guys in he asked of Candy and I.

I didn't care much for the idea.

But I so wanted her as my daughter. 

She quit taking her meds, on Sunday.

I heard her up most the night she couldn't sleep.

But Monday, she had dark rings forming under her eyes.

Monday at school she couldn't concentrate on work.

A teacher said something to her and she basically told the teacher to take a flying  leap at a rolling donut.

She was sent to the Principals Office who had just watched the Exorcist on TV Sunday.

He saw the correlation between Maria and the girl on the movie, he was sure she was possessed!

We were called I had to go pick up Maria from school.

I took her to a free clinic and they decided she needed to be in a Psych hospital.

We got her in they she attacked an orderly that came to undress her.

She was sedated they asked her medications and she was given a dose of her med.

She returned to baseline pretty quick then she wondered how she got here.

They recomended they find a guardian for her ASAP.

Mr. English who still worked part time at CPS came and said he had just the family.

We were named her guardians.

We had her a couple of weeks and we filed for adoption of Maria.

It was processed very quickly as she had proved that she couldn't live on her own and we were granted the right to adopt her.

This happened just before Christmas, we called it our Christmas Miracle!

She got what she wanted a family that loved her for Christmas!

[Drownedinp]

We all had to admit, this was the best Christmas ever!

I had fun I was in between quarters at college.

I was also enjoying having Christmas break spending time with my family, the day after Christmas the doorbell rang again it was Mr. English.

He came in he just didn't seem as lively as he usually did.

"Mr. English what's wrong?" I asked him?

"Am I that obvious? He grinned.

Just found out the cancer is back, this time.....

this time they dont think they can do much for me! I'm dying."

"I'm so sorry, Mr. English!" I said! 

"Benjamin, please, my first name is Benjamin. 

"Benjamin I consider you a friend, finding this out, it cuts me to the core!"

"Well thank you for that. You know why I like coming here?"

"You like my company?"

Benjamin began to laugh.

"That's part of it. I've said it before, your family gives life.

How many broken kids did we give you that you made whole, you give life, well hope.

I always felt it when I came here, why do you think I came personally when we placed a child with you, Lord knows I had underlings that could of handled those things.

When I met some of those kids, I just knew they needed somebody like you and your family!

Unlike many of my families, I've never ever had so many kids just fall into your lap.

They were already hurt.

You fixed them and now they are a part of your family, look at Maria, she is trusting men now.

Not just you.

When I brought her here she didn't even trust me not to just rape her.

She expected you to rape her as well.

I think it surprised the Heck out of her when you didnt." 

He grinned.

"Even I knew that!" I  said.

"Yeah, but until that little bugger at shool raped her, I was sure she was going to be adopted by you guys the first time.

Then we had the set back, but it took a while but it happened we just had to do an End Reverse!"

"So glad we did!"

"Yes I am as well! I also think nobody is as happy as Maria herself!"

 

[Drownedinp]

Back at school the following year, well it was after January first.

There was a staff meeting.

Ms. Larsen ran the meeting it was a meeting that I wish hadnt happened.

The first bad thing was that the district had decided that since I didn't have my teaching certificate l was being replaced as a kindergarten teacher.

My replacement would be starting in a couple of days!

Ms. Larson was most apologetic.

She told me I was one of the best Unqualified Kindergarten Teachers she had ever known.

I was to be a Teachers Aide!

Still in the same class, she also was able to keep me at my current salery.

The second bomb drop was that she herself was being moved to a position in the district office.

She would no longer be our Principal.

We were getting a new boss!

My heart sank.

For being under five feet tall she had a presence of someone much bigger. 

Our new Principal was also a woman Mrs. Carter.

I had met her before she was plenty nice enough, but I wonder if she could fill Ms. Larsen's shoes.

Mrs. Carter was about 5 foot 7 and very plump, always smiling.

Dark hair. Mrs. was a title I understand her husband had passed on she was a widow.

I told Ms. Larsen how much I was going to miss Her!

She told me that  she was going to miss our little chats we had.

"I think the board dropped the ball in your case.

Your one of my favorite teachers, Certified or not Mr. Jensen!

Your kids know you care and love each and every one of them!

I'm afraid of who they could get, you have also installed a desire to learn in each each of them.

That is rare!"

The beginning of the next week my replacement arrived.

Right from the go I understood her she made it perfectly clear that she was the teacher and I was the Aide!

Day one she lost control of the class they were all doing their own things and one of those things was not listening to the teacher.

At lunch she told me "What a bunch of hellions!

They are unruly, did you ever have control of those kids?" 

I had to put my fist behind my back before I punched her lights out. 

"This is Kindergarten, you as a teacher, need to keep their attention! For God's sake teach!"

After lunch it was the same thing as the morning.

I stepped in, "Everybody please return to their seats please!"

They all sat down and were listening to me.

I took over doing what I had for the past few months.

Teaching.

They listened they were quiet.

I'm sure the new teacher Miss King was sure I had just performed some kind of mass exorcism on the class.

"Thank you Mr. Jensen I will take it from here!" 

She got up and I went to the back of the class.

5 minutes later they were all back to what they were earlier not listening to Miss King.

She looked at me she got her purse and left I took over the class again.

I never saw Miss King again.

She had lasted 5 hours as a teacher.

Ms. Larsen came and informed me that "She had resigned.

Claiming I had brainwashed the students against her, you haven't been brainwashing students have you Mr. Jensen?"

I saw the grin on her Face when she asked  that.

"To the best of my knowledge I have not brainwashed anybody!"

That made Ms. Larsen grin even bigger.

I did add.

"That lady was so monotone even I wanted to fall asleep!"

"Well looks like we will have to find a new Kindergarten teacher, until then, Carry on Mr. Jensen.

Try not to brainwash any more students!"

That impish smile was back.

It took a few months it was April and there was only a few weeks of school left.

They replaced me again.

This time the teacher was better than Miss King.

Mrs. Severn, was twice the teacher, she didn't come in and tell me she was the teacher and I was the Aide, she cooperated with me.

By this time Ms. Larsen was at the district office.

Mrs. Carter was the principal and had been since February. 

She called me into her office out of the blue one day. 

"Mr. Jensen how come your not a teacher here and only an Aide?"

"I don't have my Teaching Certificate yet."

"Why don't you get it?" 

"I'm working on it Mrs. Carter, I still got about 5 more semesters to get it!"

"So your in school then?"

"Yes Ma'am. I'm getting ready to start my Junior year I'm going to night school summer semester.

I figure I can get my Bachelor degree in 3 years then I have to take the courses to get my teaching certificate."

"Good for You, Ms. Larsen speaks very highly of you and your wife.

I see why.

The reason I asked you here is I understood when you came here you were our crossing guard then became our playground monitor, then a secretary.

What do you know about football, basketball, wrestling, and Baseball?"

"Football I played a little in high school, basketball nothing, wrestling l did that in high school as well as played baseball!"

"How good of a wrestler were you?"

That was my best sport I made it to region all four years, junior year made it to state. I was undefeated my Senior year  and dislocated my shoulder.

I had been offered a Scholorship to wrestle in college when I got injured that went away!

Why I never went to college when I was younger!

Started working in the courts system retired after 35 years total.

Came here and got bit by the teaching bug! Now l want to be a teacher."

"The reason I ask is we need a wrestling coach for 7th and 8th graders!

We also need assistant coaches for football basketball and baseball. Would you be our wrestling coach?"

"I would love that!" 

[Drownedinp]

I was the wrestling coach I ran with the boys, I led them in their exercises, I was right down doing the pushups and sit ups.

I lifted the weights.

I demonstrated the holds and techniques.

My boys were good!

The kids from the high school came to look us over, the High School Coach had a guy that wrestled 105 pounds that was supposed to be his top star.

He pestered me and pestered me to have an exhibition match between his guy at 105 a junior, and my guy at 105 a 7th  grader.

They started off.

Now my guy lost, but he was only beat by a point.

The coach was impressed by my boys.

He was salivating to get my boys up to the high school.

A couple of years later George Washington High School had a very good wrestling program.

About half of his stars were from my program and 3/4 of his team were my boys. 

I had this kid named Abbas, his parents were from Iraq, when I got him him he was the fat kid he was a butterball!

He was also the most uncoordinated kid I had ever had the pleasure of working with.

He tripped over leaves on the ground, I'm not kidding.

I started working with him, wrestling is a lot of balance he got so he wasn't so clumsy.

He started losing weight.

One day this guy walks into my class he is about 6 foot tall this  guy was like a body builder he was very well muscled.

I didn't recognize him.

Until he told me who he was, it was Abbas the little fat kid that tripped over leaves.

He thanked me he had got a Scholorship to wrestle for ASU.

He came to thank me for helping him from being the short fat kid, to turning him in to what he was today.

A few years later the Olympics were on.

The guy wrestling at 210 for Iraq was Abbas my kid.

I hated to admit it but I was down right unpatriotic and routed for Iraq, only because he was my kid.

I had known him since he was in the 4th grade.

The fattest and most uncoordinated kid I had ever laid my eyes on.

He took a gold medal, one of the very few gold medals that Iraq earned! 

I had gone to a bar when he wrestled, he wasn't wrestling against an American for the gold some guy from Albania. 

I was yelling come on Abbas.

People were looking at me funny.

One guy asked me why l was routing for him, I explained that I was his first wrestling coach!

Soon everybody around me were routing him on and when he won you would of thought they were his coaches as well, they were high fiving, me they were just as proud of him as I was.

And to think I didn't think he would amount to much when I first met him!

I've never been so glad to be proven wrong in my life!

[Drownedinp]

They had a boy that was identifying as a female.

He started coming to school in dresses looking female.

Mrs Carter had been moved to another school seems there was one in worse shape than ours she was sent to straighten it out, her reign in our school was short lived.

We got the principal that had been over the school Mrs. Carter had to go straighten out.

I saw a lady very nicely dressed she was talking to Mr. Bernal our new Principal they were in his room and the lady came out mad.

And she had the girl that was identifying  as a female she was on her phone.

I didn't see it but I definately heard about it.

Appearently since the boy had been registered as Mitch that now went as Michelle, he told the lady she couldnt dress as a female!

The Media was at our front door.

Mr. Bernal was fired and the board moved another guy in to replace him, he lasted a day as well.

Seems 5 boys took exception at the boy wearing the dress and acting like a girl.

They jumped him and he fought back but was eventually subdued and they about killed the girl!

He was giving the 5 boys a suspension.

He was also giving the girl a suspension for defending herself from 5 boys, I know I couldn't believe it as well.

Turns out the girl was way worse off than they thought she had a ruptured spleen broken ribs that had punctured her abdomin.

Broken nose.

The poor girl almost died.

Her mom this time got the new Principal and the Superintendent fired.

Mrs. Larsen was made superintendent and the guy that took my place teaching my class was the new Principal he had been Vice principal all of one day.

My beautiful wife Candy was made Vice Principal.

Me, I got my class back, I was Mr. Jensen, Kindergarten Teacher again!

[Drownedinp]

With Mrs. Larsen at the helm of our District I would be teaching Kindergarten until the end of the year. 

It kind of sucked my wife was now one of my bosses.

There was a party for Ms. Larsen becoming our Superintendent.

Candy was invited because of her position as Vice Principal.

I was Mrs. Candice Jensen and Guest! 

Ms. Larson came to me. "How is my favorite uncertified Teacher?"

"I'm good Ma'am how are you?"

"Mr. Jensen we go way back, Ma'am really?"

"I'm good Ms. Larsen how are you?"

"Much better, I'm good. You know if you would of had your Teaching Certificate you would be my Principal right now! You have something that is becoming an Endangered Species!"

"What's that Ms. Larsen?"

"Common Sense! You just know how to treat people.

The shooting, I never would of thought, hey let's play kickball! You got your kids minds off something bad.

That picture they took of you the little girl hugging you, not even one of your kids, she felt love for you that day! 

That idiot they hired to replace Mrs. Carter, if I have 5 boys coming after me, I'm for dang sure fighting back.

I tried to tell my predecessor, don't do it don't move him there, I was basically told to sit down and shut up! Look how far it got him! How much time you got left?"

"Three more Quarters by next Fall I should have that degree!"

"Good for you! I hear tell your getting a pretty good Wrestling team, we haven't had one since, well forever!

The high school coach at Washington tells me he can tell your kids when he gets them, they are his best Wrestlers.

Too bad you don't teach at Washington, I would name you Coach.

How would you feel to be Assistant Coach at Washington, this is Mr. Caves last year.

He is moving to a bigger school District a 4A district, no more 3A borderlining a 2A school.

I think you would be great!

That means you would be the JV coach."

"What happened to Mr. Loveland?" I asked?

"Well Mr. Loveland had an unfortunate accident in shop class the other day.

He lost three fingers on the table saw!

We wish him well in his recovery!"

She folded her pinkie finger and ring finger and middle finger down and made a pinching motion with her thumb and index finger.

"Ouch!" I said.

I had to tell my kids that I had been coaching that I was being moved up and when they get to Washington High I would be their coach There!

One kid asked me who would be the new coach?

I wasn't sure but I told them who ever it is you better give him what I got from you or I will come back and knock heads! 

Monday I after teaching I went to the high school.

The JV team some of them I coached before they were either Freshman or Sophmores I ran them to death the first day.

Mr. Loveland I guess wasn't to big on exercise and weights.

These guys got it now.

Our first match was still two weeks away.

First two days we worked out then we started working on Techniques, first match the team we faced was called Tragger High.

They were not expecting much from us, past record proved that.

My guys went out and at first they thought we were going to roll over and die!

When my guys won the first two matches. 

They started looking at them differently.

We lost but not by much. 

They were surprised!

We were still underdogs going into our second match, once again the team the Bell Rangers.

Laughed at us when we showed up.

After we beat them they weren't laughing at us anymore!

This was supposed to be one of the best teams in the district.

We were supposed to be one of the worst!

I loved the fact that we were underdogs 

I used it to fuel my kids on telling them everybody thinks were going to lose.

My kids rose to the occasion we only lost one more match all year and won three.

We were 3 and 2 over 5 matches.

Next year many of my kids would be Varsity, they had a District, Region, and State Championship.

The season was much longer 10 matches over 10 weeks.

Coach Cave didn't seem to care he was moving the next year.

I was running the Varsity at maches already as the Assistant Coach.

We didnt do as well because, the Coach didn't seem to care, the Varsity were out of shape, undisciplined, and unchecked they lost their tempers and it was my job to calm them down.

One guy from another team lost his cool and punched my 138 pounder.

He was disqualified and they had to replace him he was banned.

My guy was out three weeks with a busted nose.

That's why you don't lose your cool out there.

I had to stop my guys after 138 pounds they were trying to exact revenge.

I told them just beat them that's the best revenge.

We lost only at 155 pounds after that and we beat them! 

[Drownedinp]

It wasn't long before kids were coming to me about wrestling, Varsity kids they were working out with the Junior Varsity because basically Mr. Cave was already mentally gone his body was just here.

I got the kids wrestling and to tell the truth a couple of the Varsity Wrestlers were pretty good.

They had no guidance from the head coach on how to improve their skills.

Even thought I was the assistant coach I was seen as the head coach by most of the kids.

I had a heavyweight or unlimited that was 185 pounds on up to over 400 pounds or bigger.

My guy was 212 pounds he wasn't fat.

He was built strong as a ox, fast, another school had a kid at that weight that was 6 foot 6 inches tall and 6 foot 6 inches wide. His nickname was Buddha he was oriental.

Little be known to him, I started calling him "Sponge Bob."

He was square like Bob.

Looked more like a Patrick, Sponge Bob's sidekick the guy was a lousy wrestler, you just got so tired carrying him and his weight around by the third periods you was sucking air and beat, he rolled you over and beat you! We had to come up with a strategy to fight this kid!

[Drownedinp]

Something was happening.

My team had gone from second to last to third place.

We had two matches left, the best we could do was second place.

Coach Cave was getting the props for doing better.

The kids knew better they knew it was me.

When I talked to the kids before a match.

I tell them what to watch out for.

I could care less that coach Cave was getting the accolades.

The last match we tied the second place team we faced them, they won 6 we won 6 matches.

We qualified for Region.

The 4A school talked Coach Cave and the District to have him early he moved before their season was over.

He went and they were in first place.

They lost their last two matches.

It wasn't even close. For them.

They couldnt figure out what happened. 

We prepared for Region.

We were expected to take 4th.

It was a Thursday through Saturday tournament.

It was an 8 team tournament all of my guys did well the worst one of my guys took was 4th most were 1st or 2nd place or 3rd place

We took second but we were close enough to 1st that we had given them a scare.

If our 185 pounder had took first instead of second.

We could of won the whole tournament!

The top 3 from each weight would be going to state 3A only 3 of my kids my 98 pounder and 138 pounder and 155 pounder would not be going to state they had taken 4th. 

We had 9 of 12 kids going to State.

Of course they were considered Coach Caves kids.

My 145 ponder when asked about how he felt at losing Coach Cave set everybody straight.

He told the press that Coach Cave sucked!

He told them that Paradise Valley High was going to suck under his reign we ran the team not him, until we got a good coach,  Coach Jensen, we borderline Sucked!

Paradise Valley High was doing excellent they lost 9 spaces they had 3 kids going from Region to State. The parents were already to fire him. He wouldn't last 2 years!

 

[Drownedinp]

With teaching, coaching, and going to school to get my degree, I had a pretty full plate!

It was happening but I knew I couldn't do it without Candy's help.

She ran the home front, I hated to admit it I sucked as a dad during those times. 

At state we did decent.

Of my 9 kids 3 took state, 3 took second, two took third and one took 4th all 9 of my kids placed.

 We took 4th in state teamwise.

Not bad for a team thst was expected to take last in the district. 

Coach Cave took a great team and made them mediocre.

They expected them to be the best team in the region and the second seed in state, they took 4th in region.

And didn't even place in state.

Well they did but it was like 8th of a 16 team tournament.

Like I said he was dismissed the following year.

Unfortunately the damage was done they were one of the worst teams in the district.

They had a reputation as a good team for years, it took a couple of years of rebuilding and they got back to their glory years.

Coach Cave was never heard from again, we heard he retired from teaching and coaching.

I got my BA degree then I got my teaching certificate.

I was a certified teacher now. I'm not sure who was more proud of me. Me, or Candy, Maria and Pablo, or Ms. Larsen? It was a toss up!

Mr. Ames the Principal.

Was moved to another school.

I was put in as Principal by Ms. Larsen herself.

We talked to Candy and she was offered the position but said "Hell no!"

She was happy being Vice Principal!

I did my best to not let Ms.

Larsen down.

I still coached at Washington High School.

We were no more the doormat of the district to have other teams clean their shoes on us we had a run of 4 years straight we won region and took either 1st or 2nd in state one year at all 12 weights.

98 pounds, 105 pounds, 112 pounds, 119 pounds, 126 pounds, 132 pounds, 138 pounds, 145 pounds, 155 pounds, 167 pounds, 185 pounds and Unlimited. 

We took either first or second in state.

My Unlimited guy lost to the same guy in Region and State by 1 point both time.

What I loved is he never blamed anybody but himself for losing.

I had seen kids blame everybody but themselves, their parents, the coaches, the school's, society for them not getting ahead!

It was everybody else's fault but their own.

I saw it in the courts, guys saying they never ever got a break in life and now your sending me to prison for robbing grocery stores?

I worked with a judge she was born on the wrong side of the tracks, her dad sexually abused her, her mom used her as a punching bag.

Still she rose above it worked her butt off through school.

Got a Scholorship for college got her law degree.

Became a lawyer, then a judge.

She had no sympathy for those that blamed others.

She usually gave them the max.

The ones that took responsibility and confessed to what they had done she tended to be more lenient.

I noticed it but others didn't.

She was tired of others not taking responsibility for what they do. 

[Drownedinp]

Now that I was done with School and Wrestling season, I got back to being a dad.

It would soon be Candy and I's 7th wedding anniversary! I started making plans for it, I wanted to really Surprise her.

The older kids were taking care of the younger ones and we were going to go to, take a short trip to Utah to go skiing it was February and we took a few days off. 

We flew into Salt Lake City!

Most places cost more to go there in the summer months, Salt Lake was more popular in the winter because of skiing.

We were heading south to a place called Cedar City, Utah.

They had a Ski Resort there called Brianhead great skiing a friend told me.

It was cheaper than around Park City and around that area.

We caught I-15 and went South it was about a 4 1/2 to a 5 hour drive there!

We rented a car and started driving we went through some interesting towns like  there was a town called Nephi pronounced Nee fi, I was saying it Ne fee they set me straight very quickly!

Beaver, Delta, one I'm still trying to wrap my head around Paragonah, Utah pronounced Pair a goon a.

Other little towns we passed but didn't stop Scipio pronounced sip e o. Kanosh, Medow, Parawon, Enoch. Looked like cute little towns from the freeway. 

We arrived in Cedar City we got our room and then we went out for dinner.

It was a great place we found the food was excellent.

We went to bed after watching a movie on TV.

Next morning we were up and it was still dark.

We went to Brianhead.

We rented Skis and started skiing.

I had made a couple of runs when I hit a rock with my ski.

I went head over heels when I landed my right ankle hurt.

After we returned the rentals Candy drove me to the nearest hospital in Cedar City.

My right ankle was not broken thank God!

But it was severely sprained I was given one of those walkers that are usually associated with somebody much older than me.

Everybody just knew I was Candy's father not her husband.

I blame the walker it makes me look older than I really am!

We still had two more days of skiing left.

Let's just say we never made it.

One thing we did that I didn't need much of an ankle for was have sex.

It seemed like with everything that had been going on we hadn't had much sex as of late. 

I was more than happy with Candy, I couldn't figure out what she saw in an old cripple like me in the first place?

She told me I was the kindest, most loving man she knew!

I wasn't about to tell her she could get that from a puppy!

After a day in bed my ankle started feeling better.

The next day we went touring we went to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Over to Zions National park we spent more time on the road than at the parks themselves.

It was our last day we were leaving tomorrow and heading South back into Arizona down through Flagstaff then about 2 1/2 hours later we would be back in phoenix all in all about 7 to 8 hours.

Maybe longer because with my ankle and the meds I take for the pain. I can not drive. 

We awoke real early ate breakfast and headed towards Highway 89 once there we headed south we took 89-A we were told it was a bit more scenic than Highway 89 plus 89 had a bridge over Glen Canyon Dam it was some 400 feet down to the Colorado River.

Candy was afraid of heights so we went the Alternative Route.

We met Highway 89 back up in Cameron, Arizona.

An hour and a half later we were in Flagstaff we stopped and ate it was getting past lunch time.

We changed our diapers it also made sense to be diapered that way if you had to go you could go without having to find a spot to go.

The further south we got it started getting warmer we knew Phoenix was getting closer.

Soon we were home in our own house.

The car needed to be dropped off tomorrow there was a drop off place near our home.

After riding in the car without much movement my ankle was singing tonight.

It was throbbing.

[Drownedinp]

I was glad to be home, in a way I felt bad it had been our anniversary and I had to ruin it by spraining my ankle.

I spent it in bed having sex with my beautiful wife.

I had planned on doing that a lot anyway!

But that was in between Skiing. 

Monday morning we were back at school, our students were so glad to see us appearantly they missed Candy and I! 

One problem that arose was a substitute.

She yelled at a girl and it made her cry.

She also swore and used bad words a lot aimed at the kids.

I apologized for leaving them in such bad hands, that did the trick they were my students again. 

Pablo and Maria had a date.

They went out and when Maria came back She had to show us her promise ring.

Now neither were ready to get married or even engaged yet.

This was just a ring that Pablo was promising some day he would propose and they would get engaged, and eventually married.

I realized they were young still, heck I still remember Susan.

Susan was my high school girlfriend, we were head over heels in love!

Or so we thought!

We were going to get married we just knew it!

I had a summer job after our Senior Year we had graduated and I was working to buy a ring to propose to her before she left for college in the fall, and I was at work.

She and some freinds went to the lake they were swimming they swam out to the buoy that marked as far as swimmers were allowed to go the buoy marked where boats, water skiers, and jet skis were not alliwed to go.

At the buoy somebody made the dare to go out further in the boat lane.

Susan was never one to back down on a dare she was maybe 25, 30 feet past the buoy racing one of her girl friends.

 2  jetskis came racing along they were going full throttle.

The guys didn't see the two girls who were where they shouldn't be.

Then one guy saw them and started slowing down the other guy turned to look at where his buddy was and he hit Susan her head was damaged and she sunk and drowned.

It took the divers a day and a half to find her body.

I was devistated I swore off woman I was never going to give my heart away ever again.

I went to work as a Security Officer checking people in through the court offices. 

About a year later a friend had me double date with him his cousin was visiting and it was only going to be for only one night.

Besides it was helping my buddy, I could handle that!

When we arrived the girl I got was way cuter than the one my buddy had.

Her name was Brenda.

We talked and talked after dropping them off I stayed and talked all night to Brenda.

We talked until the sun came up and she started yawning.

We could of talked hours and hours more.

I got Brenda's address and telephone number.

This was before cell phones and it was her land line.

Turns out she lived closer to me than her cousin did.

From our first date to when we got married was 6 months.

A Court Clerk's Job came open it paid almost double what I was making as a Security Officer at the courts.

We had kids, raised them.

My wife Brenda got Cancer and died, my Daughter's college roommate became my wife. 

We were blessed with kids of our own and adopted kids.

We've been Happy! 

We started converting the garage into another room for Maria.

We got it so it was a great room for her.

We just had to park our cars on the driveway we put up a shed to put all the things that were stored in the garage into.

I almost moved myself and Candy in there it was bigger than our bedroom, the only thing it lacked was a tub, it had a toilet vanity and shower, I preferred a tub.

Getting older as I am I loved to sit in a tub of hot water and just soak my tired old muscles.

A shower just doesn't do it for me!

At work fate was about ready to play a trick on me and Candy!

We got there and it was a normal day, I had a little boy named Brandon.

Brandon was a quiet kid he was never a bit of trouble.

School was normal uneventful even.

Part of my job in the afternoon is to stay with the kids until they are picked up or they walk home.

Brandon was picked up by either his mom or his dad.

If they were late it was either one of his parents forgot to pick him up, you know "I thought his dad had him today!"

Or "I thought his mom had him today!"

They both forgot him today.

We saw ambulances fire trucks racing down the road we Thought nothing of it there was a station a few blocks from our school. Police cars going lights and sirens as well it was now 3:10 pm and still no parents.

We saw smoke a few blocks North and decided that's where the firetrucks, police cars, and Ambulances were heading!

I took Brandon into the office and asked one secretary to call his dad and another to be so kind as to call his mom!

Neither answered, that's strange.

Either or usually picked up the phone to come get Brandon. 

At 3:15 pm the older kids get out and they out number the kindergartners 8 to one.

Brandon was sitting there and I was there as well with him talking to him. 

There were cops and my old friend Mr. English there as well. 

"What do we owe this visit to Mr. English?"

I said very cheerfully.

"We're looking for a Brandon Thomas." Said Mr. English.

"I'm Brandon Thomas!" Said Brandon.

Mr. English started looking from me to Brandon. "One of yours Mr. Jensen?"

"Yes," I said very unsure of myself.

Knowing Mr. English when he looks like this, something bad has happened. 

"Mr. Jensen could I talk to you privetly, please?" He said.

We went a ways away from Brandon. "Mr. Jensen there is no sugar coating this, Mr. And Mrs. Thomas were both on their way to pick up Brandon.

Your not going to believe this Mrs. Thomas rear ended Mr. Thomas on their way here.

There was an explosion as his gas tank was ruptured.

His dad was killed his mom is on her way to County Hospital with burns on over 72% of her body, she isn't expected to make it.

As far as we can tell there is no family in the immediate area they were from Kentucky and as about rural as you can get.

Could you take Brandon, I understand Maria has her own room in the garage now."

Candy came and saw Mr. English and me talking.

"What's wrong there isnt a problem with one of our kids is there?"

"No not yet, he isn't one of yours yet." Smiled Mr. English.

"Brandon, what's wrong with Brandon?" As she saw him sitting there.

"Bad crash, Dad dead, mom burned severely! Said Mr. English.

"We will take him if you need us to?" Said Candy.

"That's what I was hoping! Mr. English said with a smile! 

We took Brandon we had to explain to him what happened.

He wanted to go see his mom and we had to explain about burns.

And the chance that she could get an infection and that could kill her. He wanted to know when he could see her.

When she was not in a lot of pain.

It was touch and go with his mom for about 2 weeks she started to get better.

Mr. English contacted her and told her what had been done with Brandon.

"If they want to adopt him let them I'm sure he will think I'm some kind of monster anyway, I'm burned my head, I look hideous! 

I can't even stand to look at myself!"  

"Brandon wants to see you!" Said Mr. English 

"I don't want to give him nightmares, please!" She said.

Brandon came up missing one Saturday we searched and searched.

We called CPS and informed them he was missing.

They called the police.

He was found he stole some money and got a taxi and went to the burn center he found his mother and they were both crying.

She was crying because he told her that he still thought she was beautiful and he loved her.

He was just feeling sorry because his mom was crying!

[Drownedinp]

When Brandon's mom will be released there will still be an adjustment time as Mrs. Thomas his mother get's used to living on her own.

Her husband is dead she was burned on her face and head.

I always thought she was a stunning woman you could still see the beauty under the scars.

After a while, she would be getting Brandon back.

Brandon still had a mom that wanted him and he wasn't having nightmares after seeing his mom all burned up, he was looking foreward to moving back with her, she was looking foreward to having him move back with her. 

Some 3 months after Brandon's mother was released I half expected something to happen to her she get sick or something, but Brandon was moved home with his mom. 

Mr. English was working part time for CPS.

He was looking better.

As we talked he explained that he was able to get in on an experimental drug trial that was made for just his type of Cancer.

It was working, "If you had asked me two or three months ago I would of told you I probably would be about dead by now!

I feel I'm getting better.

It's nothing I could show you, it's just the way I feel.

According to the Doctors my tumor hasn't shrunk much, but I feel like I did when I was in remission about 6 or 8 months ago!

I feel better!" 

"As long as I got you around for a while longer, you might think your just my kid connection to me.

I also see you as a friend!"

"Thank you Richard at my age, all my friends are starting to die off on me even my wife, my best friend of all she is dying, it's nothing like Cancer, but it's taking a toll on her, she is getting senile she doesn't remember who I am any more.

She still knows she has a son, but to her he is 4 or 5 not 24 years old. I think that's why I'm still working part time, I don't know who my wife is even anymore.

Just seems like yesterday she was my companion!

Today she still is but she is in love with the man I was 20 years ago! I'm no longer him my hair is whiter, my face needs ironing!

He smiled, I was always a large guy!

But lately with my health problems, I have came to the conclusion, I'm becoming my own father!

In fact my wife thinks that's who I am, she thinks I'm Benjamin Robert English Senior.

Not Junior!

That would put me about the same age my dad died about 15 years ago."

"Sorry to hear that, thats kind of how I felt when we saw Maria in her stupor like she was!

She knew us for a moment then it was gone we were strangers again."

"Yeah my wife is like that she will look at me and smile I know she knows who I am, next the connection is gone.

I guess that's the part I'm running from! I run here to my job!

The hell is when she remembers me one minute and then gone again next!"

[Drownedinp]

Mr. English returned about a month later he looked better, I had to admit that.

He looked like he was almost ready to go fight Grizzly Bears with a switch again he had put a few pounds back on. 

"Got great news for you, Brandon and his mother are doing really well.

She has a boyfriend even, they met at a burn support group!

He has mostly his torso burned, there is a patch on his chin but they hit it off.

He was burned on his man parts he loves Brandon, he thought he would never find love.

Now he has both with a child he never would of thought he would ever have."

"With that I actually have a challenge for you.

I have a girl a bit older 12 years old, she is severely Developmentally Disabled, her parents were ashamed of her, they locked her in a room and she has had no human contact other when her parents fed her.

She is almost ferral.

She does not have any speech she grunts and points.

She was never toileted has no toileting skills what so ever.

We dress her but she is out of those clothes about as fast as they went on!

She has never worn clothes before.

She is adoptable but we aren't holding our breaths for anybody to do that she is unwanted by her parents, society in general.

Your family has always been my miracle workers, frankly were hoping for a miracle, we would be happy just to get her to leave the clothes on and pick up some verbal skills.

We would consider that a miracle.

Are you and your wife up to the challenge?"

"That's a pretty tall order, can you give us a day or two, I mean this will involve the whole family, l think we all should agree on since it also involves them!"

"Sure I wouldnt have it any other way.

Take a day or two, to discuss this child! She isn't going to be going anywhere soon!"

That night we had a family meeting we discussed the pros and cons.

Maria brought up the fact she knows what it's like to be in that state of mind.

She was the biggest supporter of us getting the girl.

Clarissa and Genesis was also for as well as

Angelina, Kellie was in as well. Russell, Jazmine, Caleb, and Bryanne all agreed.

Candy as well, l guess l was the one that wasn't sure! 

We called Mr. English and told him yes.

Of course his response was "Splendid!"

Martha Francisco was brought to our home.

As soon as she was in our house she disrobed.

Now as a kid this did nothing for me, unfortunately my oldest son who was almost 8 his eyes popped out.

At 12 Martha was just sprouting breasts.

I don't think Russell had seen a breast since Candy stopped breast feeding him years ago before Caleb was born.

"Ugh ugh!" She said. 

"What does that mean he asked me?" 

"I don't know? 

I said as she began to pee on the floor.

Guess it means I got to go potty?" 

I tried to talk to her and when I said "Martha," she would look at me, she knows her name.

We got her dressed in just a panty and a shirt when she tried to take them off we said 'No Martha!"

After about a hundred "No Martha's" she stayed in just a pair of panties.

She went "Ugh Ugh again and l grabbed an set her on the toilet I heard a plop and and I praised her for going telling her "Good Martha!"

She had a smile on her face.

She tried to get up and run away I got her and wiped her bottom for her.

We had dinner and where our kids ate slowly and used utensils, she dumped her plate on the floor and got down and used her hands to shovel it in I think she got more on her than in her.

I had to give her a bath.

She was expecting somebody to mishandle her  I gently washed her and I felt her relax.

We got her in a diaper and nightgown.

She tried to take her nightgown off and we told her again "No Martha!" All the kids crawled up on my lap and I read them a story I made room for Martha and she sat there as I read the book.

I made up funny voices for the different characters.

The kids laughed she laughed right along with them.

I think it wa a monkey see monkey do type thing.

I saw her with the book she was shaking the words I guess trying to make them come out like I had made them.

We put her in bed and kissed her good night like we did all our other kids.

She took her blanket and got on the floor.

We decided that's what she probably knew.

For us that was a shame on her parents. 

[Drownedinp]

Next morning we awoke our children most of them needed showered they were wet, I went to awake Martha.

She was asleep and somewhere during the night she had removed her nightgown, but miracle of miricles, she had left her diaper on.

Good thing to she was soaked and from the smell of things had a BM during the night.

I put the nightgown back on her and took her to the bath.

I took the nightgown off and she gave me a sigh, it was a contented sigh!

I took off her wet and poopie diaper I cleaned her butt with wipes them on I put her in the tub and I bathed her she loved me bathing her, I don't know why, I guess she trusted me.

We were all done and I dried her off.

She liked me rubbing her with the towel, I guessed she liked the human contact.

I put her in the clothes and took her to to the kitchen.

We were having Oatmeal this morning.

I decided to do something.

I spoon fed her we put a towel around her like a bib.

I would feed her a spoonful of oatmeal she bit the spoon a couple of times.

I decided she was like a baby you start out feeding them, then when they get a bit older they eat from the table.

She still create a huge mess.

Then they get so they can feed themselves.

This girl was 12 years old but we needed to start with baby steps.

Same with verbalization and toilet training.

She was a blank slate. 

I had to clean a minimal amount of oatmeal off her face and out of her hair.

The other kids went in to brush their teeth.

Martha watched them doing this.

The school they got to pick Martha up wasn't going to start until Monday, I stayed with her today I took a Family Sick Day.

I came up missing Martha.

I looked in her bedroom and kitchen.

I found her in the bathroom she had a toothbrush and was brushing her teeth, I hate to tell Maria but it was her toothbrush!

She was mimicking others.

She then sat on the toilet I heard her pee.

She forgot to pull down her pants and panties. 

I had to change her and put clean clothes on her.

I realized two things she learns by watching others, and she had her clothes on for over almost 2 hours.

She saw all her brothers and sisters wearing them she was still wearing them. 

I also turned on PBS, Sesame Street.

She listened and the number was 3 today and the D. She started saying  "fwee!"  D was "Dwee." She said her first words almost.

She got up and I followed her to the bathroom and she went to sit on the toilet with her clothes on. I helped get them down she started peeing and she looked at me and smiled!

Who could say this child was not beautiful.

Her whole face lit up when she smiled.

Later the kids all came home and were calling me Daddy.

Martha looked at me and said "Dwaddy!" Even though she mispronounced it. It was the sweetest words I've ever heard!

[Drownedinp]

The weekend came we went shopping for more school clothes for Martha, not only her but the rest of the kids needed undies.

Why is it I have shorts that I have had since there was was a Bush in the white house, and the elastic is just starting to go.

But after 6 months the kids undies look like they ran them over with a weed eater, complete with holes.

We have bought Candy new undies twice since I've bought some.

Now socks on the other hand I have a toe with a toenail I swear slices socks open.

I have a small hole in the toe, of every pair of socks I own. 

We got the kids their undies Candy threw in two packages in for me in my size, and told me "I'm throwing away your old ones!"

"But they still are in good shape, relatively speaking!" I said.

In the middle of Wal-Mart wasn't the place to start an argument about the shape of my underwear! 

Martha we tried on clothes after clothes, I could see it in her eyes, a complete lack of interest.

She even looked at me and said, as plain as day "Daddy?"

It was the pleading in her voice I could hear her say "Help me!"

I saw the glint in her eyes.

She said "Ugh" and commenced to wet herself right there in the middle of Wal-Mart. 

Now I knew this was a tactic to get her out of clothes shopping.

At home, she has been going to the toilet on her own.

She still hasn't figured out what TP is for yet but she tries, bless her heart.

She came out of the toilet this morning with the TP still in her crack and trailing the roll behind her.

You just got to love this little girl! It's never a dull moment with Her!

After we got her changed and into a new set of clothes, that we were buying.

We went and cashed out with our new clothes.

We handed the lady the price tags.

"What are these for?" She asked? 

"Our daughter had an accident and we needed to put her in something!" I said.

I also asked for an extra bag to put her wet things in. 

"She looks a little old to be having these kind of problems, didn't you guys toilet train her?" 

"We're working on it.

We only got her about 2 days ago."

"Got her?" The cashier asked?

"We're only her Foster Family, we might even adopt her!"

"Why would you want to adopt a kid like her, sorry but she isn't perfect."

"You see to us she is! Don't you believe that kids like her deserve, loving families?"

"Yes I guess your right.

What happened? I mean she appears almost to be what 11, 12, 13?"

"12, you see her family thought since she is not perfect.

They locked her in a room.

She has no verbal skills, she has figured out how to use the toilet, most times.

She eats like an animal off the floor, that's all she knows.

Her parents were ashamed of her.

We're not! We love Martha."

Martha looked at me and smiled. 

"Daddy!" She said 

"That is the extent of her vocabulary right there.

But that is music to my ears."

We paid and hit McDonalds.

We got her Chicken Nuggets.

I broke them up for her.

She saw me dipping my nuggets into my Sweet and Sour dipping sauce she did the same and when she took the bite her eyes got big and she smiled.

I knew she liked her nuggets dipped in the sweet and sour sauce.

I gave her a bit bigger piece and she dipped also getting her fingers.

Soon she was dunking whole nuggets.

When hers was gone she started helping herself to mine.

I was out of Sweet and Sour I opened Honey Mustard.

She liked that as well.

Ranch was good.

She opened the Buffalo Chicken sauce she was spitting that out!

Cant much blame her, my least favorite as well.

I took her in and sat her by the sink as I cleaned up her sticky face and hands.

She reached out and gave me one of the best bear hugs I had ever gotten I kissed her forehead.

We arrived home and Martha wouldn't leave my side.

I knew she was a daddies girl! 

 

[Drownedinp]

Sunday we had Breakfast, Martha was about ready to dump her food on the floor.

I stopped her she looked at me and  I said "Not on the floor please", I was hoping that she would eat like a normal kid.

I guess we compromised she dumped her plate on the table instead, hey it wasn't on the floor.

She started grabbing with her hands.

I took her spoon and started feeding her like her brothers and sisters were eating she watched them and Candy and I.

She ate her breakfast.

She took the spoon and started feeding herself.

She still hadn't mastered the from table to mouth part yet, she was a bit uncoordinated in that procedure.

She spilt a lot on herself but I would have to give her an A for effort! 

After breakfast I told her what a good job she done at breakfast she grinned at me from ear to ear.

Candy took Martha to give her a bath.

Kids kept coming and asked her "Mom where is this, or Mom where is that?"

Martha touched Candy and said "Mom."

"That's right I'm mommy!"

"Mommy, Mommy!" She had a big grin on her face! 

Maria came and talked to her and soon she said "Mawea!" She pointed to herself and said "Marffa"

Maria smiled and said "That's right little one I'm Maria and your Martha!"

Maria gave her a big hug. 

Later Clairissa and Genesis came and Martha said "Carwissa! Genwisses!"

"Did she just say my name?" Asked Clarissa?

"Yeah did she just say my name?" Asked Genesis?

"Yes, I said, she is trying to communicate with you!"

They both gave her a hug and Martha smiled as she got hugs from her sisters.

Martha they both said!

Martha was enjoying the attention, she was like a sponge in that regards.

I was kind of getting mad at her parents.

They had a loving child and they chose not to reciprocate that love. 

All the other kids showed up and Martha attempted all their names Angewa was for Angela. Kerwee, was Kelly.

Once again I was going to give her an A for effect.

Hey she had speaking a grand total of two days.

I had to remind Russell of that when she called him Wussell! Caleb was Cawub! Jazmine was Jazzman! Bryanne was Bwywin!

I got all the kids seated around and I told another story from a book.

Once again when I read I used the voices.

And showed them the pictures.

It was Winnie the pooh that I read.

After I was done Martha brought the book and pointed a the bear and said Pooh!

Then she pointed at Eyeore she mumbled something that remotly sounded like Eyeore.

Wabbit was Rabbit.

But she smiled I called her "Smart."

I dont think she knew what Smart meant but im sure it was the way I said it, she smiled knowing that I had praised her!

 

[Drownedinp]

Monday mornig at 5am I awoke Martha, gave her a bath.

I fed her a bowl of cereal.

She did good only got a little where it didn't belong.

I finished dressing her and we we went to wait for her bus.

It was 6:45am a and her bus was due anywhere from now until 6:55am.

We waited and waited it was 7:13am before it arrived when we tried to get Martha on the bus, as soon as she realized I wasn't coming, she dug her heels in and said plain as day "No!"

I got down on a knee and said "Martha you need to go to school! All your brothers, and sisters, Mommy and Daddy have to go to school . The lady attendent looked at me, "You and your wife still go to school?"

"No I am the principal and my wife is vice principal at Orangewood Elementary School."

"No kidding?

Guess where Martha is going?

If you would like she can go to school with you and your wife!

She doesnt have to ride the bus."

I had never learned where her school was, I was just told that the bus would pick her up! 

"Great it means she doesnt have to wake up so early!

And me along with her."

We went back in and Candy asked "Was there a problem?"

"Yeah Martha refused to get on the bus!

Not to worry we will drop her off at her school!"

"Will we have time?" Asked Candy?

"Plenty of time!" 

We started loading up the van and and Maria took the city bus it went right by her school.

It was also her way of being independent!

Candy asked me "Where is Martha's school?" 

"Coming up!"

Was all I would say.

When I pulled into our school parking lot.

"No, no way!

She is at our school?

Why did they have her ride the bus, having us wake her at that God awful hour?"

"This will make it easier on us as well!" I said.

"Is she in Mrs. Whether's class?" Asked Candy?

"I'm assuming so since she is the SpEd teacher."

"You know when we got her I was wondering why they just didn't send her to our school.

With the bus picking her up I just assumed she was going to some special school, and them picking her up that early, that made me think that assumption even more!" Said Candy! 

"I agree with you!" I said 

I unlocked the front doors I had the keys so did Candy.

We saw teachers come in and Secretaries.

They all asked Martha "Who are you?"

"Marffa." She said.

She saw her brothers and sister leave with their teachers. 

A lady showed up and asked "You wouldnt be Martha would you?"

"Marffa" said as she pointed to herself. She pointed at Candy, "Mommy!" She pointed at me "Daddy!"

"That so sweet, I guess she calls all adults mommy and daddy." Said Mrs. Whethers.

"No we are her mommy and daddy, were her Foster Parents."

"I was just informed I would have a new student on Monday, her name was Martha Francisco.

I didn't know you would be her parents.

I thought she was coming by bus?"

"There was a problem with the bus, she reused to get on." 

"Okay I was also told she was non verbal.

She is using simple words I was told she couldn't even do that.

How about toileting I was told she was non trained but I see her in panties not diapers, why?"

"She picks up on things quickly she saw her sisters and others using the toilet, she has grasped the concept.

But you have to make sure she pulls her panties down, make sure she wipes.

She came out if the toilet with the roll still feeding from the dispenser and the other end still stuck in her bottom.

But she is trying! 

Also she hears names.

She trys to say them she doesnt always get it right I was Dwaddy for a while."

"I'm Mrs W. That's what the kids call me Martha."

"Mrs. Wubblu!" Martha said.

"We'll  work on it!" Mrs. W. Said. "You ready to go to class?"

"Cwass?" Martha asked?

She looked to me I told her "We will be right here all day.

Its okay!"

She went with Mrs. W. 

At lunch time I walked into the cafeteria I heard "Daddy!"

Martha gave me a big hug and I gave her a bear hug back.

I sat her back down and she started eating again.

She had a smile on her face.

She knew I wasn't going to abandon her.

[Drownedinp]

Mrs. W brought Martha to the office.

I took her to my office. 

"How was your fist day at  school Martha?"

"Skewl!" 

"That's right this is a school!"

"Mrs. W. Tweecher!" 

"That's right Mrs. W. Is your teacher.

Martha got a big Smile on her face she was talking like she had seen others do and she was doing it now as well.

How come the people she used to live with they never talked to her.

They never let her out of the room.

She never knew that there were other people who would like her like Daddy, Mommy, Maria, Marissa, Genesis, Angela, Kellie, and the boys. Russell, Caleb. Even Bryanne. Mrs. W. Was her teacher.

She was nice to her.

She liked living where she was at now they let her eat with them even though she knew she didn't do it right.

She was using that white cold thing, like others did.

She knew she did that right.

They made such a fuss when she peed and pooped there.

Cloths weren't even that bad now, she didn't mind having them on.

Everybody else wore them.

So should she.

She wanted to be normal not like others not like she had been Martha the girl locked in the room for so long.

[Drownedinp]

By the end of the week Martha had learned her ABC's she said it over and over again and again. 

We were proud of her and though it got monotonous we let her sing it. Though we were praying for a respite. 

The doorbell rang and when I answered it there was Mr. English.

He came in and he spoke.

"I've been thinking maybe I expected to much from your family, I've thought was it right to bring Martha, did I pawn her off on you guys. I've kind of felt bad."

"Don't feel bad, we love having her!" I said. 

Mr. England's jaw dropped. "But she isn't verbal, not toilet trained, eats like an animal. I shouldn't of put you people through it."

About that time Martha wandered into the living room singing the ABC song A, B, C, D, E, F, G. You know the song and when she got to the end "Now I know my ABC's tell me what you think of me?"

Mr. English's jaw dropped even more if that was possible. 

"Say hello to Mr. English, Martha." I said.

"Hellwo Mr. Engwish!" Martha said.

"Hello Martha how are you?" Asked Mr. English?

"Fwine!" She said.

"How do you like your Foster mother and Daddy?" Asked Mr. English?

"Daddy and mommy, love em!" Said Martha.

"Good for you, I'm glad you love your mommy and daddy!"

"I go ta shool every day, love Mrs. W. to!

Martha go potty now!" She was gone. 

"That's not the same girl I dropped off here a week ago, it can't be, how?"

"That's the same girl, I just think she is smarter than we gave her credit for!

She saw one of her sisters go potty so she did what she saw and went potty the first time she wet she forgot to take her panties down, wet right through them.

Kind of defeated the purpose.

She is doing much better at eating she doesn't eat off the floor anymore.

She still doesn't like utensils.

I think she hasn't figured out how to use them but her hands do just as well for now."

"I can't believe that's the same girl.

I'm really starting to believe you guys are Miracle workers!" Said Mr. English.

"No I believe Martha was smarter than we was given to believe.

That and she was a sponge.

She absorbed everything thrown at her."

Mr. English was never more proud to be proven wrong in his life.