The Last Holiday Concert Read Free Page B

“Is that right, Hart? Did you shoot that rubber band?”
    Hart gulped and found his voice. “I … I didshoot it, but I wasn’t aiming it at him. Honest. And I’m sorry. I was aiming way above him, at the lights. Really.”
    â€œOh, sure !” said Mr. Meinert, shouting again. “And it just happens to hit me right in the neck.” Holding up the other rubber band, he said, “And what about this one, the one that stuck on my sweater? I suppose you were aiming this one at the lights too?”
    The principal stood up. “Mr. Meinert, please. There’s no need to shout. I’d like you to go back to your classroom now. Is anyone there supervising the children?”
    â€œWell, no,” said Mr. Meinert, “but … but this was … it was an attack . It was an emergency.”
    Mr. Richards nodded. “I understand what you’re saying, and we’ll get it all sorted out. But you need to get back to your classroom. I’ll deal with Hart.”
    Mr. Meinert turned, gave Hart a last angry look, and stomped out of the office.
    Mr. Richards sat back down in his chair. Hart looked across the desk at him. “Really, I didn’t mean to hit him. And that first shot? Iaimed it at his music stand, and then the rubber band bounced onto his sweater. It just bounced. That’s the way it happened, I swear. I wasn’t trying to hit anybody.”
    Mr. Richards looked at Hart a long moment and then said, “I believe you—that hitting him was an accident. But there’s no excuse for shooting rubber bands in the first place. If that rubber band had hit Mr. Meinert in the eye, we’d be looking at a big problem here. Do you have any more?”
    Hart dug into his pocket and then dumped the rubber bands onto the desk.
    â€œHow about in your locker?”
    Hart shook his head. “No, that’s all I have.”
    Mr. Richards said, “I’m keeping you after school today. And tomorrow. Come here to the office, and I expect you to bring homework or a book to read. Is that clear?”
    Hart nodded. Then he said, “Um … can I call my mom? She doesn’t get home until a half hour after I do, and she doesn’t like my little sister to be alone after school.”
    Mr. Richards glanced at his watch. “Hmm … I see. In that case, you can serve your detentionsstarting tomorrow. Tell your parents that you’ll be staying after school for one hour both tomorrow and Friday. And tell them why. And no more rubber bands at school. Understood?”
    Hart nodded. Then he said, “So … so I can go now?”
    Mr. Richards nodded. “Yes, you may go.”
    Hart left the principal’s office, but as he reached the door to the hallway, Mr. Richards called, “Wait a second, Hart.” Hart stopped and turned back.
    Mr. Richards said, “Did you leave any belongings in the music room?”
    Hart shook his head. “No. My book bag’s in my locker.”
    Mr. Richards pointed at the long bench against the wall of the main office. “Then I want you to sit right there until this period is over.”
    Hart said, “Okay,” and he walked over and sat down.
    After Mr. Richards shut his door, Hart turned and looked up over his shoulder until he could see the clock above him. It was oneforty-four. That meant he had nine minutes to wait. And think.
    At first all Hart could think about was the crazed, angry look on Mr. Meinert’s face. The guy had totally flipped out. Considering everything, Hart felt like he’d gotten off easy. And he felt like Mr. Richards was a pretty good guy. He felt like the principal had saved him from Mr. Meinert.
    The principal was smart, too. Because Hart understood why the man had told him to wait in the office until the period was over. Mr. Richards didn’t think it would be a good idea for Hart and Mr. Meinert to be in the same room again, at least not right