Futile Punishment

I received three demerits each & every week during senior year. In homeroom Ms. K. Scott Benjamin, our disciplinarian, would announce a number over the PA system. My number was six. I'd wait each morning, sitting with the four other Kelly girls, praying any other number would be chosen. Ms. Benjamin was smart - she knew to avoid any patterns, so I never knew which day would be the day. There was no avoiding it: she'd announce, "Today's Dress Code Violation is number six. Teachers, if you suspect any student of infringement, have them stand & proceed accordingly."

Miss Fox, all five feet, two inches of her, would skip my entire homeroom (A-4) & stop next to me. "Bridget, I need you to stand up, please."

At first, I complied anxiously. I'd gone three years without demerits. Would colleges see the demerits on my record? I'd stand & my homeroom teacher craned her neck. A whispered "wow" escaped her often.

"Miss Fox, please. They don't make a uniform long enough for me."

"I'm sorry, Bridget, but these are the rules."

"If anyone should be getting demerits, it should be God and Flynn & O'Hara. God, for making me this tall. Flynn & O'Hara for being prejudiced against & unaccommodating toward my height."

"What was that, Bridget?"

"Nothing, Miss Fox."

After several weeks of unnecessary punishment, I stopped responding. My attempts to go to my locker of the bathroom (a small attempt & failure at stealth) were stomped on by Miss Fox. I was instructed to remain in my seat during homeroom. It was pertinent that I heard every single announcement every single day. Each week, without fail, my number was called. I swear I could hear the smile on Ms. K. Scott Benjamin's lips when she called number six.

Dress Code Violation #6, horror of horrors!

Standing nearly six feet, two inches (technically I'm 6'1 1/4"), my brown (yes, brown) jumper's hem rest above mid-thigh. Yes, it was short, however I was already wearing the recommended "tall" jumper which lent another four inches, give or take, to the hem. I had followed protocol as provided by the school and uniform supplier. Yet I was being punished repeatedly.

One particular week I was upset with receiving another set of demerits. I asked Miss Fox if I could walk the attendance down to the office myself, so that I may have a chance to plead my case to the disciplinarian. "I wouldn't advise that, Bridget. Ms. Benjamin wouldn't approve of your disrespect for the rules."

"I'd still like the chance to speak with her, Miss Fox."

"Alright, then. I gave my warning, that's all I can do."

As I walked through the halls, preparing a speech in my head, I recalled my first run-in with Ms. Benjamin the previous school year.

As a professional dork, I loved getting to school super early - plus my ride could only drop me off that early. Anyway, one day in the spring of my junior year, I was walking through the hall around 7:15 in the morning, headed to the cafeteria to catch up on some reading. I saw my friend Adrienne at her locker & I heard her crying. She wore a black hoodie, tugged close over her eyes, with red cat's ears pricked up on her head.

"Age, are you alright?"

"Fine, just grabbin' some stuff before I leave."

"Leave? Are you cutting school?"

"Yeah, I wish. Benji (As Ms. K. Scott Benjamin was more affectionately known) caught me & told me I couldn't stay at school today."

"What happened?"

In one movement, Adrienne swept her hood back, revealing her devious behavior: bright pink hair.

"That looks amazing!! Seriously, you look awesome - oh. You're not allowed to keep it, are you?"

"Nope. Benji called my mom & decided I should go home & 'take care of this' over the weekend."

"Oh, Age. I'm so sorry."

"Ladies, may I have a word with Adrienne?"

Neither of us had heard Ms. Benjamin approach. The woman was like a panther slinking through the halls, a magnet for finding trouble!

"Yes, Ms. Benjamin. Age, I'll see you later."

"You'll see her in a few minutes. Miss Baione will be attending school today after all."

"What? Are you going to make an example of me to the student body, Ms. Benjamin?"

"While I do not appreciate your tone or your disrespect for school rules, Miss Baione, I'm glad you understand that there must be consequences."

"Yes, Ms. Benjamin." The woman had a way of making the toughest girl feel three inches tall.

As many times a day the words "Yes, Ms. Benjamin" were uttered by a student, all I could imagine were little orphans obeying Miss Hannigan. But there wasn't any singing or Daddy Warbucks to the rescue.

Sometimes, we just gotta whine

There are times when everything seems to be working out wonderfully. Your family is functioning well together and independently - whether both parents are working and the kids are in school, or some are working and some are enjoying some time off. Whatever the case may be, generally we all experience a time whenever things are operating smoothly.

Until, suddenly or gradually, they aren't. The car breaks down - the dog gets sick - someone needs surgery. Our lives are wound on a yo-yo and we're always up and down.

I graduated with my Bachelor's almost a year ago. It was a proud moment for myself, and for my family. I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to receive an education, and I hope that I am able to achieve my goals with the support of my teachers, friends, and family. Unfortunately, I graduated at a time when jobs for new grads were few & far between. Luckily I had my summer job lined up - for the past few years, I've been a camp counselor. It's not glamorous, but I love working with kids, spending my summer days under the sun, & it pays the summer bills. But when August came, & camp ended, I had nothing to do. No job prospects - not even an interview. I sent my resume out everyday to any company I felt I could be remotely qualified to work for. Nothing. Zip. No bites.

To make a very long struggle into a short story, I'll just tell ya that I finally got a job last week. 9 months after graduation. It's a full-time gig, but I'll only be working here until April. Not so great. Ya see, this job is an hour away from my home, which means I need to borrow my Mom's car in order to get there everyday. The car is 10 years old this year & I just don't seem to have the best luck when it comes to cars. At the end of my second day at work, the car has to go to the mechanic. It gets fixed, lasts for 36 hours, & not it has to go back. I ended my first week at work being driven back & forth by my Dad. I am certainly grateful that he voluntarily got up at the crack of dawn to drive an hour through rush hour traffic to bring me to work, only to turn around & drive home & repeat the process in the afternoon.

However, it made me feel like I was back in grade school - the ironic part is that I work at a school. Anyway, this morning, instead of having my Dad wake up long before anyone should be functioning, I borrowed my brother's car. I'm not a fan of driving his car, but, again, I am grateful that he allowed me to borrow his "baby." This loan is extended for an unknown period of time. Which comes to my complaint:
I finally got a job - after months of not working & desperately needing a paycheck. However, I need a full-time, permanent position in order to buy a car. In buying a car, I would no longer need to wake my Dad up at 6 AM, or bum my brother's ride away from him. I would be on my own (transportation-wise, at least) & not inconveniencing my family.

I feel terrible. But I am grateful that I have a family who helps me out when the shit hits the fan.