CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/146398
her students. One boy in particular became her favorite victim. His name was Leonard. The combination of his dandruff, ragged clothing and bad breath made him an irresistible target for her. Leonard was a good-natured boy who miraculously managed to maintain his sense of humor and sweet demeanor despite repeated mistreatment. One day, Mrs. Gruff left the room to take a phone call in the office. We were left unattended, and Leonard saw his chance to exact his revenge. He walked up to Mrs. Gruff's desk, where she always had a vase of roses from her prized garden. Grabbing the flowers by their blooms, he tore each one to pieces, leaving a mountain of petals on the floor. Sporting a wide smile, he then calmly returned to his seat. A few minutes later, Mrs. Gruff returned to the room, where a class of third-graders barely managed to stifle their laughter. It took a few minutes for her to notice what had happened to her roses, but when she finally did, the atmosphere in the room became oppressive and charged, much like the air before a summer storm. Her face went purple with rage and her voice sounded unnaturally low and calm as she asked who had committed this horrible deed. Not one of us looked up or said a word. We were unified in our silence. Because she could not identify the lone offender, she punished all of us. But a week of lost recesses seemed a small price to pay to see Leonard get the better of his tormentor. Ironically, Mrs. Gruff became more subdued after that incident. She also never left us unattended again. What lesson did I learn that day? I learned that adults don't always get the last word in a battle of wills. I also learned that a sweet, long-suffering boy can hatch a very wicked plot. Whenever I think of my early school days, I don't think of math problems or maps or My Weekly Reader. I think of iodine and roses…with a little Motown on the side. CV Mary Zahran, who has not touched a bottle of iodine since kindergarten, lives in Fayetteville. She can be reached at maryzahran@gmail.com. In operation since 2008 Summer Tanning Memberships Available! Gift Cards Available! summer sPecials 60 Minute Watermelon Facial $60 • Very Berry Facial $80 Eyebrow and Lip Wax $16 • Pore Cleansing Facial $30 Spray Tan $45 • 3 Sprays $110 summer Packages Beat The Heat Package 90 Min Swedish Massage Alaskan Mud Facial $155 Summer Sweets Package 60 Minute Tangerine Massage Very Berry Facial $100 Botox | Juvederm | Massage | Skin Care Eyelash Extensions | Tanning | Sunless Tanning | Laser Hair Removal Laser Genesis | Vein Therapy | Skin Tightening Visit one of our two locations: Cloud 9 Medical Day Spa and Salon 201 East Livermore Dr. • Pembroke NC 28372 • 910.272.6424 Cloud 9 Wellness Spa • 1540 Purdue Dr. • Fayetteville NC 28303 • 910.779.0082 www.femescloud9.com native angels Home HealtH inc. "He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee." Home Health • Personal Care • Hospice Care All providers are licensed and bonded Proudly thanking our military for their service One agency can provide all your needs Make us yOur trusted chOice Referrals/Admissions 910-323-3628 Toll Free 1-866-483-0694 www.nativeangels.biz Bring an angel into YoUr Home! CityViewNC.com | 13