Creative Short Fiction Piece written by Rae

Us "Bad Boys" of the 3rd Grade


"Hey! Toughskins---yu wanna play dead or alive with us?" I said in my usual friendly way.

"Na, I gotsa stay in today. Teach says I owe her a whole gol damn recess. Says she'z gonna make it 2 recesses next time I snap like that, " Toughskins replied back.

It's been almost 20 years since we all were in the 3rd grade and us boys banded into some eclectically mixed community that got along...for the most part. It was me, referred to as T-square , I guess because my name is Thomas and the others thought I was kind of a "square", and a group of about 8 other boys that hung out at recess time. Out of all the boys, I remember Toughskins most vividly.

Man, that kid had some temper on him! Us "Bad Boys" of the 3rd grade all tip-toed around him---fearing the moment he'd explode from the wrong look. But I also recall him being really smart, and, when he wanted to be, a pretty kindhearted soul.

I was one of those "average" boys. Not the popular athletic kid who in a few years would become the star high school quarterback, nor the kid with a brilliant math mind. I was simply a good kid who wanted to be everyone's friend. And this meant being a friend to Toughskins as well.

Obviously Toughskins was not his real name. But after all these years I honestly can't remember his real name. I can only remember his ordained nickname given to him from the group mind. We started calling him that name because of his hardened and gruff persona. But like I mentioned before...we saw glimpses of a marshmellow heart inside. I once saw him push a 2nd grade girl who was confined to a wheelchair all the way to school. They were neighbors and every now and then I'd see them play together, albeit quite discreetly. And I knew it wasn't because he "had to", but rather he chose to. I'd see him wear a very rare smile when he played with her. It was probably the only time he didn't wear the tough-guy facade.

After a full school year of being classmates, on the last day we found out he wouldn't be back. He was moving to another town to live with his dad. As we sat outside Sauk County Elementary School waiting for our rides-- I witnessed a very sad moment in Toughskins elementary school life. With me standing alongside my younger sister, Toughskins was sitting on the curb hiding his face into his knees. I was actually seeing Toughskins breakdown into tears. I saw him red-eyed as he waited for Gramps to pick him up.

As a 9 year old boy I was exceptionally sensitive, and smart enough to know the girls definitely would not miss Toughskins nor would alot of us boys. As a general consensus, we had grown tired of his bullying and rough play. But somehow as that 3rd grade boy I was...I knew I was going to miss him. Coming back as a 4th grader without him didn't feel right.

As our last few minutes of friendship counted down I kindly said, "I'm gonna miss you Toughskins. Hope you like living with your dad."

"Aw I ain't gonna miss this lousy school...bunch of stupid kids here," Toughskins snapped back.

"Bye," I said sadly as I waved good-bye to him.

I didn't get any verbal reply back but rather I got a lasting image. Toughskins was in the backseat of his grandfather's silver 4 door car. As he was being driven away I saw Toughskins rubbing away salty tears from his face. To me, this meant he was going to miss us, regardless what the bully said.

Here's to you Toughskins---wherever you are. Hope you are ok and staying out of trouble. Best Wishes to ya.....Your friend, T-Square.

VISION STATEMENT for SUMMER 2010

When the World says "Give up"; Hope whispers "Try it one more time." author Unknown

I HOPE