Every time she cuffs him, we cringe. She targets him. Today, she went further; grabbed his head, hit it against a locker. The ring of it resounded down the corridor loud enough to draw response. We, his classmates, stunned silent, were secretly glad as we shook that it wasn't us.
Her punishment always outdoes his infraction, whatever it was. What could a nine year old boy do to make a nun smash his head into that tall, shiny, empty, metal locker? No adult intervenes. Ever. We didn't know they should. Maybe that's the worst outcome. Except for his, of course.
Oh My Goodness. Memories of the Dominican Nuns at my grade school. Then. Not now.
ReplyDeleteOh my, you're a vivid writer.
ReplyDeleteYour imagery made me cringe too. Excellent writing.
ReplyDeletewell done. visceral. upsetting. hopefully the very emotions you wanted to elicit.
ReplyDeleteLceel . . . mine were Sisters of "Mercy". My knees and knuckles remember them well.
ReplyDeleteGrandmother - excellent. I was thinking bullies among the students first - a bit of a surprise when you revealed the true culprit.
thanks!
bully def came to mind first, but it invokes the right response!
ReplyDeleteLou, Hopefully, not now but definitely then.
ReplyDeleteRosaria, This memory popped out when I read the prompt.
Tara, Sadly, it's a true story.
C.G., Yes, how I felt all those years ago.
PM, It seems such a baffling way for adults to treat children. Welcome, glad you came by.
Allison, Bully's aren't just other kids, unfortunately. Welcome to you as well.
Yep, that's a shared memory we've got here. Along with plenty of others, I'll bet. My second grade nun turned me over her knee and spanked me (for talking) in front of the whole class. My... um, derriere has never been the same since.
ReplyDeletePatti, My fourth grade teacher sat me in the trash basket in the front of the classroom (where did they come up with this stuff?) but I never forgot that boy who got slammed into the locker. What memories from people supposedly dedicated to God.
ReplyDeleteAh! Nice to see you again. :)
ReplyDeleteSo this is a true story? How awful! As you know, much has changed. A teacher would not get away with that now. Unfortunately, I think the pendulum swung a little too far to the other side. Children have too many rights some use it to walk all over parents and teachers.
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ReplyDeleteHello! Somehow I missed your post while going through the 100 Words blog list before. I've heard many such horror stories from friends who have surived catholic schools. Well written!
ReplyDeleteVV, Yes, nice to be back.
ReplyDeleteClew, Hi and welcome. Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words.