One for the Murphys: Chapters 13–19

“Nothing too eventful. Social studies teacher is...uh...unique to say the least.”

“Well, I learned a valuable lesson about karma.”

“You know, there’s only one letter difference between friends and fiends!” Then I look up to see that she has a dopey smile. I mean, she’s nice and everything, but give me a break.

I hear the clamor of four feet running in our direction. Adam says, “I’m tellin’ ya I saw a police car in the driveway!”

“The prosecutor was looking at two counts of attempted murder, but it’s hard to prove intent to kill without hard evidence.”

“The prosecutor was looking at two counts of attempted murder, but it’s hard to prove intent to kill without hard evidence.”

“Your mother is heavily sedated. She will remain so for quite some time.”

He steps toward me, and I look up. “You said I wasn’t in trouble.”
“You won’t be if you don’t impede my investigation. We’ll get more resolved at the station, away from distractions. Why don’t you get your coat?”

“How...dare you...come in here and insinuate that she had anything to do with what that monster did. It wouldn’t matter what she did; he was the adult, and he should be held accountable for his own actions. I, for one, hope he rots in jail.”

“And you! You’d think an officer of the law would have a drop of sense...or compassion. What do you hope to accomplish by badgering her? She’s a child and a victim, and you’re treating her like a criminal. And furthermore, since she isn’t a suspect, I know that you can’t take her anywhere. She’s staying right here...with me.”

“And you! You’d think an officer of the law would have a drop of sense...or compassion. What do you hope to accomplish by badgering her? She’s a child and a victim, and you’re treating her like a criminal. And furthermore, since she isn’t a suspect, I know that you can’t take her anywhere. She’s staying right here...with me.”

Mr. Ruben wears a suit today. He brushes his lapel and says, “As you can see, it’s a special occasion. On this most glorious morning, I will explain the details of your term projects, which will comprise thirty percent of your final grade. I will also assign you partners.”

He spins toward us. “Now, these people have tended to be intelligent, tenacious, and good communicators, but the attribute that helped them truly succeed in their endeavors was the inclination and ability to kick some major backside.”

He spins toward us. “Now, these people have tended to be intelligent, tenacious, and good communicators, but the attribute that helped them truly succeed in their endeavors was the inclination and ability to kick some major backside.”

He spins toward us. “Now, these people have tended to be intelligent, tenacious, and good communicators, but the attribute that helped them truly succeed in their endeavors was the inclination and ability to kick some major backside.”

He spins toward us. “Now, these people have tended to be intelligent, tenacious, and good communicators, but the attribute that helped them truly succeed in their endeavors was the inclination and ability to kick some major backside.”

He points to himself. “I dressed up today in honor of these people. People like Nicolaus Copernicus, who went around spouting off silly ideas about the sun being the center of the universe—not the earth. He was criticized and thought a fool for his refusal to back off of what he believed to be fact. But now, hundreds of years later, he’s known as the father of modern astronomy.”

Mr. Ruben sobers up a bit. “Uncalled for, Mr. Tibbs.”

“Because she put a face to the atrocities of the Nazi death camps. She taught everyone a very poignant lesson of the dangers and horrors of war and prejudice. And...the importance of standing up for what’s right and good in the world.”

“Because she put a face to the atrocities of the Nazi death camps. She taught everyone a very poignant lesson of the dangers and horrors of war and prejudice. And...the importance of standing up for what’s right and good in the world.”

“Because she put a face to the atrocities of the Nazi death camps. She taught everyone a very poignant lesson of the dangers and horrors of war and prejudice. And...the importance of standing up for what’s right and good in the world.”

“Now for the good part.” He takes a deep breath. “William Shakespeare, a man who changed the world with his quill pen, loved to write tragedy. Plays dripping with human conflict and emotion. So, in the spirit of the Bard, prepare thyselves, for I am prepared to hurl an emotional plundering.”

He rubs his palms together again. “I’ve decided that you shall all”—he makes little quotation marks in the air—“suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.”

Mandy slaps her desk with both hands and fumes. "That will be the day!”

“Ah, yes. It’s not fair—the mantra of teenagers everywhere.” He turns to her. “That’s right, my young maiden. Sometimes life isn’t fair. Another lesson to be learned here.”

Mrs. Murphy comes into the foyer. “Well, hello. You must be Toni.”

She laughs at me and wiggles her fingers. “I’ll use my special powers to turn you into a superficial bore. POOF! Hey, it worked!”

“Let’s make someone up that doesn’t exist and convince Ruben that he does. How about...Jim Nasium, who brought sports to the masses...of Antarctica?”

“And you? You’re obsessed with this Elephant Butt or whatever her name is!”
“Elphaba.”

We divvy up our responsibilities and agree to work separately.

“Oh my God! Michael! Michael Eric! My honey!” Mrs. Murphy drops to her knees and holds his head. “He’s having a seizure. Why is he having a seizure?”

She looks up at me, but I cannot pull my eyes from him. “Carley,” she says, yanking me from my trance. “Nine-one-one now!”

“Yeah.” I take a breath. “Michael Eric. Is he okay?”
“Yes, Carley. He’s going to be fine. It was a febrile seizure caused by a fever. It has no lasting effects. Just a one-time thing. Thank God.”

Michael Eric and Adam have been inseparable all day; Adam has followed him everywhere.

When I wake up for school the next day, I decide that life is too short to listen to teachers and Toni and Rainer ramble on.