LJ Idol Season 8: Week 36(C); Group Think
"It's just how it is... Education isn't for everyone. Nor should it be.” I listened in as Mrs. Simms spoke into the phone, dusting the bookcases around her, "Think about it... If everyone went to college, who'd clean our houses? Make our food? We need these jobs to survive as a culture..."
She smoked her expensive cigarettes while chatting away to her sister who was currently vacationing on some remote island I’d never even heard of. Mrs. Simms’s office, which was more like a sanctuary to get away from her three kids, was the last room I had to clean before heading to the pool house.
"What are you doing over there?" I looked up, "Yes, you. The one not dusting the very tops of the shelves like I've asked you to. Why are you touching my books?"
"I dusted those first; before you came in here." I looked down to the floor to avoid the rest of the question.
"Could you hold a second, Maddy? Sorry, my housekeeper is so lazy sometimes...." Mrs. Simms sat her phone down, "What am I going to do with you? Tell the authorities that you're failing at your job and have them take you away? You know what they say happens to those who disobey...”
"No Ma'am. I will re-dust the shelves..." I reached for the chair I’d used to dust the top of the shelves earlier.
"And don't ever touch my books again, do you hear me?" Her eyes narrowed, her forehead clenched up, waiting for my response.
I nodded and did as I was told.
***********
Stepping inside my front door, my sister Amy was waiting.
"You're late!" She proclaimed with her arms across her chest and a pout on her face.
"I'm sorry, but my snooty boss made me do everything twice," I rolled my eyes, "God I hate my job."
Amy had apparently forgiven me, and she started pulling me toward the couch.
"What book is it today?"
Pulling the book out from my bag, I read her the title, “Little Women. It looked like a cute book we’d both enjoy. It says it’s a classic too! I don’t even know why Mrs. Simms has books like this.... It’s not like she even reads them...”
I started reading to Amy as mom and dad came in from their shifts. Mom started to put supper on; black beans and rice again. Amy protested until I told her I’d read more to her before bed if she ate her dinner without a fight.
Putting the book away, I started on my nightly chores before heading to bed, ready to do it all over again the next day.
**********
Walking through town, across the tracks, I watched as the scenery around me shifted. Homes that were barely standing up suddenly turned into empty fields which turned to parks and eventually, the palatial homes of the non-working class.
Brilliant homes full of light and colors and glass surrounded me while the lonely stretch of road I waked along every day shifted into a sidewalk with a curb and flowers planted along the side. I’d often pretend that I wasn’t merely working here, but that I was one of them. That I was born into the upper-class, that I could spend my day sunbathing by the pool rather than cleaning it. That I could read all the books I want and not be arrested. That would be the life...
I made it to work just as Mrs. Simms was waking up and dressing the children for school. Little Aubrey stuck her tongue out at me and her brother tried to kick me as I walked by.
Not saying a word, I slipped by and kept my thoughts to myself. The TV was on and the commentators were discussing current policies regarding education and the poor. I stopped for a moment to watch, wishing and hoping that they’d repeal the acts that prohibited me from going to school.
"Those in the bottom rungs are lazy and worthless. They shouldn’t be given handouts. I worked hard to give my kids the education they deserve and you want to give it to the worthless for free?”
"We can’t let them read! Educating them would lead us down a dark, unstable path. Mark my words!”
They were so angry and seemed to hate us so much that their negativity was overwhelming. But what did I know? I wasn’t supposed to know how to read or write or do anything but listen to and do what I was told. The message was loud and clear. The only people who didn’t feel this way belonged in my class, and what say did we have in the matter? Working our way up and pulling ourselves out of poverty and ignorance was not only impossible, it was against the law.
"What on Earth are you doing?” Mrs. Simms had caught me staring at her TV, something that was strictly forbidden.
"Uhh just dusting up here...” I tried to lie through my teeth and realized I had no dust rag. I lowered my eyes as she walked over to me.
Her hand met my face; a stinging sensation warmed my cheek and tears fought to fall.
"Don’t let me ever catch you doing that again.” She grabbed her bag and went out into the hallway to usher the children into her car.
Standing there, listening for her to leave, I made my way into her office and pulled the book from my bag, gently sliding it right back into the spot I’d removed it from the night before. She never read anymore, she didn’t even know what books she had upon her shelves. They were there for appearances only.
Looking through the books, I saw another that caught my eye, “Wind in the Willows”. It had cute animals on the cover, Amy would surely like that would. Nervously watching the door, I slipped it into by bag. I turned and hid my bag behind a large chaise, there was just enough gap between it and the wall.
Pretending to dust, I rearranged the books carefully, disguising the fact that one was missing. Confident that I hid everything well enough, I started on the rest of my cleaning duties around the house.
When Mrs. Simms ran her errands, I would usually chat with the gardener while he trimmed the hedges and I cleaned the pool area. Mario was a skinny boy just a little bit taller than me, but he was slightly older too. I’d eventually confided in him that I’d borrow Mrs. Simms’ books and he’d ask me to tell him about the stories since he couldn’t read himself. As the sun beat down on us while we worked, I’d tell him about all the stories I’d read and enjoyed.
On that particular afternoon, he remained quiet though. His was silent and focused on his work but he’d jump every time a car drove by. His eyes would dart around crazily, as if he was looking for someone to ambush him.
"Why so jumpy, Mario?”
He wouldn’t look at me. "I did something wrong, Liz...”
"What did you do?”
He just shook his head, refusing to answer me even as I stared him down.
"Did you steal something?”
He shook his head, his shaggy locks flying wildly around his head, "No, I only meant to borrow something... But Mr. Simms caught me...”
I shuddered despite the heat, "What were you trying to borrow?”
"The newspaper... I saw a photo on the front page and I wanted to know what the story was about. I was going to ask you to read it to me...”
"What did he do?”
"Nothing. That’s what I’m afraid of...”
I stood there in silence with him, listening to every sound outside the gates.
"I’m sure you’re fine, Mario.” I wasn’t so sure, but what could I say?
He nodded but remained quite as he continued trimming the hedges. Finished outside, I made my way to the pool house to finish up the rest of my duties. Down on my knees, scrubbing the toilet, I heard something.
A scream. Followed by heavy footsteps and then silence. I slid to the floor, trying to wedge myself between the wall and the toilet, hoping they wouldn’t come for me too. Mrs. Simms had caught me watching TV... What if she’d told her husband?
I heard the gates slam shut and a vehicle drive off. Rushing out, I saw the name on the black van as it pulled away.
It was the Academy. Mario was gone.
**********
Walking back toward home later that evening, shaken up and watching for the black van every time someone walked by, I stopped at the local butcher for my family’s weekly ration of meat.
I paused and felt my stomach roiling. Sitting outside of the butcher shop was the van, The Academy written on the side. Mario was not inside. The drivers stepped out of the shop, laughing and carrying on as if nothing had happened.
I had to wonder... Were the rumors true?
Stepping inside, Harry the butcher greeted with a nod, “You got here just in time. A fresh shipment of meat just arrived, newly butchered as well!”
I stopped, "Harry, would you tell me what kind of meat it is? I know you’re not supposed to since it’s just scraps... But I’m really worried about something here...”
His eyes narrowed, "Girl, I wouldn’t be walking around here asking such questions. Take your meat and be gone with it.”
He placed the packaged rations on the counter and I took it home. Amy was excited that we were going to have meat instead of beans and rice again.
I stared at my plate and couldn’t touch it. My mother scolded me for wasting food, but I ended up getting sick all over the table and she excused me to my room so I could cry to myself and wonder if I could ever eat again without knowing if I was possibly eating my friend.
**********
The next morning, as usual, I made my way to work. I’d decided that I’d never borrow another book again, I’d place this back on the shelf and never take the chance. It wasn’t worth it if the rumors were true.
Stepping inside, Mrs. Simms and her husband stood waiting.
"Liz, after the incident with the gardener yesterday....” Mr. Simms towered over me, a sneer across his face, "I really must check your bag...”