Rosewood

Chapter 2 New Schools

Chapter 2: New SchoolsRuby’s point of view

Thursday, August 28, 1980, Jack was getting ready for a back yard, camp out with Jayson, Stacy was staying with me, and Daisy was staying with Vivian before we all had to start school. School started on September 3, and I was not looking forward to it.

Stacy would be in a different school, and even though a few of the kids from Sunday school, would be at my school, we wouldn’t have the same class. Jack, Jayson, Vivian, and Daisy was all going to Falls Middle School and would have some classes and lunch together.

My cousin Angelic who lived down the street from us was in my class, so at least there was that. Maybe it wouldn’t be all bad. My parents insisted I be walked to and from school by my siblings. Some days Jayson and Daisy would stay with Jack and Viv. But only if they had permission from their parents.

My teacher for 1st grade, was Mrs. Smith, she turned out to be really nice. In addition to regular reading, writing, math, etc., she also taught me how to skip. I had a hard time adjusting to the curriculum seems our schools in Hamilton was a little behind. I ended up repeating the 1st grade. Lucky, I got the same teacher the next year.

Jack and Vivian didn’t have as hard a time catching up. Jayson and Jack had shop class together, and somewhere along the line. They decided to turn the shed into a bicycle repair shop. They made new friends and money at the same time.

What money they didn’t spend on parts, like tires, inner tubes, seats, etc., they would buy candy and drinks for us. We had a habit of stopping at the local drug store and getting drinks and penny candy when they had money.

Jayson and Daisy spent most their afternoons at our house. Jayson working on bikes with Jack. Daisy and Vivian studying, or watching MTV. Me, I was a little bit of a loner, mainly staying in my room, or outside riding my bike.

As time progressed through the school year, I found myself spending more time with the guys. I would help them sand, paint, and would pick out accessories for the ‘girly’ bikes they did.

Every Saturday, Daddy would take us to yard sales, the junk yard, and to the store to find and get things for the shop. With Jayson spending nearly every Friday night, we’d get up early and make the rounds. Then open the shop by noon, usually.

Daddy would treat us to a biscuit, hash browns, and a drink from McDonalds. I loved it because the boys always let me sit up front with Dad. And just like in church, sometimes they’d tug at my hair or tap me on the shoulder.

Their childish antics match by my own, I stick my tongue out, or give them funny face. Out of the car we’d purposely bump into each other trying to knock one another down. It was like I had two brothers, who both loved me and picked on me.

Although, no one else was aloud too. I remember one Saturday, we had just gotten out of the car and started up to look at a couple of bikes. When this kid, Brian, who went to my school, started making fun of me.

Jayson and Jack got so mad; they threated the boy with bodily harm. Jayson had the poor kid in a head lock and made the kid apologize to me. Dad quickly stepped in and stopped the fight before it got out of control.

Brian’s parents felt so bad about the kid bulling me, that we ended up getting the two bikes for half of what they wanted. Once we got the bikes loaded and was back in the car. Daddy asked, “What was all that about? You two are always picking on Ruby, and she sticks up for herself.”

Jayson said, “We’re the only ones aloud to pick on her. She knows we don’t mean no harm, but that little brat did.” I watched as my dad as he grinned from ear to ear, then turned to me and said, “Do you get that Jay and Jack are only picking?”

Sitting there I put my finger to my chin like I was deep in thought, then said, “yes Daddy, I know that. But that boy Brian picks on all the girls in the class, and he is mean about it.” Daddy said, “Maybe I should go back and talk to his parents more.”

My Dad didn’t like bullies, but who does, other than other bullies. However, Jayson and Jack must have scared Brian, the following week he didn’t bully any of the girls. Plus, he never bothered me again. That’s the best thing about having an older brother and friend, they protect you.

Angelic and I became close, during the first year at Falls Elementary, even when I was held back, she still looked for me at recess and at lunch we sat together. Between Stacy and Angelic I had the best girlfriends, and once they got to know each other, we had sleep overs, and a lot of fun together.

The guys treated my girls just like they did me. Saturday afternoons were comical, fun, energetic and some of my best memories. Of course, we got into mischief every so often, but our house was the place to be.

At the end of my third-grade year, Falls Elementary became a private school, and those who couldn’t afford tuition was transfer to other school. I ended up at Carson Academy with Stacy, Angelic went to Fern Elementary. Stacy and I didn’t have the same teacher but had lunch together.

Fourth and Fifth grades, was okay for the most part. In fifth grade, our coach had us running laps around the gym, and me being heavy, I was the slowest and all the kids picked on me. Sad part, the coach joined in.

It’s hard enough to take bullying from other kids, but when an adult, someone you’re supposed to trust does it. It cuts right to the core, I ended up in a deep depression, and when my parents told the principal. I was taken out of the class and allowed to spend that time in the nurse’s office.

That’s when I met Tiffany Bunch, she was the counselor my doctor recommended. It was the fall of 1985, and I was eleven at the time it happened. It was having the coach pick on me, that set off the chain reaction of memories from the Grassman’s house and what happened there. I had nightmares, and I didn’t want anyone around me, not even my closest friends.

I stayed in my room, barely ate, and then started throwing up food. In my mind, I had to get skinny, I hated my body, I hated myself, I didn’t want to go to school. It was one of the lowest points in my life.

My sessions started out being everyday right after school. Tiffany and I would talk about everything from what happened in Hamilton to my feeling about school, and myself. She gave me a journal and had me write in for fifteen minutes before I went to bed at night.

That journal led to several others as I continued it thought my life. If bedtime was at 10 p.m. then I at 9 would go brush my teeth, my hair, wash my face, and then do my journaling.

I loved writing, it was and still is my solace, my comfort, and joy. By writing the events of the day, or just my thoughts about what was going on; it helped my mind and body relax. Soon the nightmares began to fade, my self-esteem began to rebuild. I was learning, really teaching myself to love who I was. After six months, it no longer mattered how I looked, I was happy with me.

Still, I continued the sessions with Tiffany, going from every day to twice a week, to once a week. Of course, I had Tiffany’s home number, as well as her work number, in case something came up.

I soon got to the point, that I no longer was just going through the motions of living, to actually living, and wanting to be around people. During that time, some people treated me with kid gloves, but not Jayson. He still picked on me and would from time to time make me laugh.

By the end of fifth grade, I was nearly myself again, I was worried about going into middle school after summer. Tiffany worked for Carson Academy, and I was afraid she wouldn’t be counseling me anymore.

However, her and my parents set up a Tuesday night session at home. I was so grateful. I couldn’t imagine telling someone new all my history. Plus, Tiffany had this uncanny ability to read my face, and would instantly know if I was having a good week or a bad one.

Well, I think this would be a good time to let Jayson catchup on his point of view, don’t you?