Earth's Karma, page 3
part #1 of Karmanator Series
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“How did Ms. K. make you do this?”
“Are you rich?”
Lisa glanced at Kat who nodded and said for her to answer at her own discretion.
“Let’s see, no I am not rich, but I do ok…” Lisa began.
“What does that mean?” this from Nevaeh.
“It is not polite to interrupt,” reminded Kat, which resulted in another eye roll and slight snort.
Lisa continued, feeling her nerves settling and her usual goofy personality returning, “One: Thank you, about the shoes. Two: Kat blackmailed me into doing this. Three: Sorry, no brownies today but your teacher. said I could come to class and bake some with you on your next cooking day,” she teased, which caused the group to erupt in hoots and whoops of excitement. “Four: I almost got purple on the ponytail,” she said, flipping the pink hair with her hand. “Maybe next time. And finally, No, I don’t have a boyfriend, I have a girlfriend,” she finished, revealing her rainbow love t-shirt for the group to see.
“Wait, so you are gay? Do you date, Ms. K.? She used to be married to a woman,” Bella spouted, literally about to come out of her seat with excitement over this development. The other kids seemed interested in the possible answers, except for Skyler. Even Ryan glanced over at Lisa for a moment.
“Bella somewhere out there is a tree tirelessly producing oxygen for you. I think you owe it an apology,” Skyler said with snark. “Just because they are gay friends, does not mean they date each other. Duh,” Skyler sighed, coming to the rescue of her teacher and their guest. At this remark, a smile ghosted over Ryan’s lips before his face went back to neutral.
“Thanks Skyler, you are correct. We are not dating each other. Lisa is actually my sister-in-law, as well as my dear friend. She even took me out for my birthday dinner last night,” Kat explained.
The group grew suddenly quiet when Kat mentioned her birthday. The kids all looked at Liam and then at their teacher. Liam stood up and began walking to the student back packs. He unzipped his bag and pulled out a purple wrapped package. Kat stood up and looked around a bit confused while Lisa watched. He approached a bit bashfully. Matching her in height, he finally met her gaze and handed her the package. The students were alert and wide eyed with excitement.
“So, um, me and the guys got this for you. You know, for your birthday. We heard Jessie asking you about your horoscope and stuff, so when you told her your birthday, I remembered.” Liam, usually very silly and ever the jokester, was suddenly very serious and he indicated for Kat to open the gift. Kat thought he looked like a cute puppy with his warm, brown eyes.
“Yeah, Ms. K., we all got together. It was Liam’s idea,” Bella said while Kat opened the package, commenting on the shiny purple wrapping, to reveal a purple t- shirt with a stylized K symbol on it.
“Isn’t it cool?”, Skyler pitched in. “Liam drew Xena’s X only made it into a K for you, Ms. K and we all signed it. Then we had the shirt made with it on there. And purple is her color. “
Nevaeh added,” You told us that day we were talking about superheroes that your favorite was Xena because she came from hard times and bad decisions and turned it all around to fight for the good. And that’s what you want us to do, right?”
The students all waited with bated breath, Ryan watching with side glances. Kat stood teary eyed, adjusting her glasses, and speechless, holding the handmade shirt before her. Lisa finally jumped in to help her out. “You guys, that is the most incredible gift ever! I just got her some Juicy-butt sweats, but this shirt is so thoughtful, and perfect. Kat loves Xena!” she exclaimed.
“Thank you, all of you. This is the most wonderful gift I have ever received. It even trumps my sweatpants, sorry to say, Lisa. Liam, the artwork is amazing! Wow, is all I can say.” Kat made eye contact with each student as she spoke. Liam looked both embarrassed and very happy with himself as the rest of the crew beamed.
“So, my awesome, thoughtful pupils, please listen up,” Kat switched into teacher mode while folding the shirt and draping it over her arm. “A spectacular trip is planned for today. We have been discussing careers this week. Your task will be to categorize and list all the jobs you notice at the hospital.” Kat’s dialogue was interrupted by a student hand shooting into the air and a voice blurting before she could call upon the owner.
“What do you mean categorize, Ms. K.?”, asked Bella, a bit louder than necessary.
“OMG, she told us a hundred times… kitchen jobs, medical jobs, custodial jobs, etc., etc.,” Skyler said with exasperation.
“Thanks, Skyler, those are good examples,” Kat said smiling. But the questions kept coming.
“Do we have to write in cursive?”
“I don’t know how to write in cursive.”
“Does spelling count?”
“Do we get a prize if we get the most jobs?”
“Are you grading this?”
Kat ignored all of the chatter and continued, “Everyone, you are responsible for your notebook and writing utensil, do not take any personal belongings except your jackets, phones, and student ID’s. We will leave personal belongings here… don’t worry, the room will be locked. Also, it looks like our park lunch plans will have to change because of this crazy rain. Our guide said we can use the hospital cafeteria,” Kat began directing her half dozen teens toward the classroom door. Various mumbles about lunch were shared among the students including, “Don’t forget the coolers, Ms. K.”
“The coolers are in my Jeep ready to go,” Kat assured them.
“Your Jeep, the War Wagon?”
“Is that thing still running?”
“Don’t they pay you enough for a new car?” The kids loved to razz her about her car, but it rolled off her like water off a duck’s back.”
“All right, my young comedians, the clock is ticking, and we need to get going. Jessie and Joe are waiting in the van. They have it all warmed up and parked right by the back door so you all can just hop in without getting very wet or cold.” Kat finished after giving them their final directions. As if to emphasize Kat’s words, lightning flashed followed by a long, rolling thunder that all of them felt vibrating beneath their feet. Bad weather or not, it was time to load the van and frankly, it was going to be like herding kittens.
Lisa linked arms with Kat who leaned on her cane, still carrying her new shirt and drink. They followed the students out the door to the hallway, and she commented, “You know, you are absolutely terrific with these kids. They are wrapped around your little finger. That shirt… how cool is that? And Liz used to tell me stories you shared with her about what a butt you were in school.”
“Yeah, I was a bit of a rebel. I unfortunately gave my teachers plenty of crap. I never really fit in, nerd, dabbling with being gay, so very awkward. I would get done with my work early and look for other ways to occupy my time. I was never in any big trouble, but I was always getting fussed at. I figured working with these guys would balance out some karma for me. However, whatever gray hairs they may give me, I gain far more in joy as I watch them learn and grow. These kids are so special. They have helped me learn it is okay to be happy again,” Kat replied, smiling.
Later that day, the group sat around one large table in the hospital dining room eating sandwiches and snacks out of the coolers which rode in a foldable wagon. They numbered ten strong now that Jessie, the student teacher and Joe, the driver, had joined them. Kat was encouraging them all to keep writing in their notebooks because a variety of jobs were being worked all around the room. The kids begrudgingly scribbled a few notes (even Lisa, Joe and Jessie were keeping lists) but ended up paying more attention to the food and their phones. Kat was allowing phone access for the next ten minutes and the kids were not wanting to miss a second.
Kat’s program paid for any food they needed for school and she always had something new and fun for them. Today’s menu consisted of fruited chicken salad on croissants, apple chips, and lemonade. Lisa splurged and bought them all brownies for dessert, joking that they would not be as good as the ones she usually had. The students were warming up to her quickly and had jostled to be next to her while walking their tour and now while seated at lunch. Kat enjoyed watching her work with the group, not at all surprised that she fit right in with the young people.
The ride across town to the hospital had been adventurous. Lisa found herself in the back with the students, while Jessie rode in the front with Joe. Jessie, young and exuberant kept turning around to talk to Lisa, pushing her wet blonde hair from her light, blue eyes. She and Joe had both become drenched while loading the coolers in Kat’s Jeep and moving the vehicles so that they were parked conveniently for the group. Both Joe (who also doubled as a custodian at the school) and Jessie tried to make walking easier for Kat, who never complained, but everyone who saw her knew that it was a painful pursuit for her.
An occasional glance out the back window reassured Lisa that Kat was still behind the van in her Jeep and when she wasn’t looking back, Lisa tried to hold a conversation with sweet Jessie. The student teacher was saying something about how great it was to be mentored by Kat but the excited chatter of the teens, the noise of the storm, as well as the van splashing along through traffic kept her from being very successful at communicating. Lisa did manage to glean that Jessie was 20, going to the University of New Mexico and had one more semester to go before graduation. It was impossible not to like her even with the communication issues.
After lunch, the group had an hour and a half to explore the lower depths of the hospital. “A place the public rarely sees,” their tour guide, an older woman wearing a pink hospital volunteer vest teased them. Her name was Mrs. Connelly and despite her advanced age, she seemed fresh as a daisy in her Velcro Hush Puppy sneakers. The kids were somewhat more enthused after enjoying their lunch and got the kind lady to spill the beans that they were going to see “Old Bill’s Workshop” whatever that was. Curiosity did get everybody up and moving.
Joe, returning from stashing the wagon and coolers in Kat’s Jeep, joined the group as they headed to the elevators. The kind man offered Kat his elbow as she was hobbling along, leaning heavily on her cane, and she took it gratefully. He recognized that she was hurting from all the extra walking they were doing. As she grasped his arm, Kat noticed for the first time the scars on his warm, brown skin running from his wrist to almost his elbow
“Did you bring something for the pain, Sarge?” he whispered in her ear. Knowing she was ex-military automatically earned her the nickname, “Sarge”, even though she was not one. Joe called her that anyway from the first day they met. Their friendship was instant. He was a gentle man, kind and good hearted. Kat knew the school paid him well because he was truly a treasure to keep. The group had made it to the elevators and their elderly guide split them between two cars explaining that they would meet in the sub-basement to see some of the coolest stuff yet.
Feeling her stomach dropping lurch as their car began to descend, Kat assured Joe that she had taken some Advil at lunch and would be fine. It was just the weather making things more difficult for her. His understanding, brown eyes met her vivid blues for a moment. He saw her resolve and nodded, telling her to let him know if she needed anything. She thanked him for his concern just about the time the doors opened and they met the others waiting for them in front of a set of reception type desks in an area outside big, swinging doors marked ‘Laundry’.
The students remarked that they had not thought about laundry and maintenance jobs and busily scribbled in their notebooks as Mrs. Connelly bustled them through a variety of interesting spots. She stopped at a locker room area and offered the kids a chance to use the restroom, telling them this was a good place to go because the general public did not use it and the workers kept it especially clean.
The boys went to the left and the girls went to the right. Lisa decided to follow the girls in saying she might as well take care of business while she had the chance. The other adults stood outside visiting, but it was not long before Kat heard Lisa give a whoop and the girls yelling. She and Jessie headed in to see what the commotion was all about. Joe followed and then turned to the men’s side when the hallway split.
Lisa and the three girls were still fussing when she got there, and Kat soon saw the reason. The lights to the women’s restroom area were off. She felt around on the wall, found the switch and flipped them back on, revealing a retro, black and white checkered, tile restroom with three stalls. The three girls came scurrying to her babbling something about the boys, while Lisa exited one of the stalls looking a bit frazzled. Bella was especially peeved because she had messed up the make-up she had been applying at the mirror.
Joe came out in the hallway with the three boys in tow. They looked very satisfied with themselves. Lisa and Jessie stood by watching while Kat took charge. Going for the obvious, Kat said, “Liam, did you turn off the lights? You really scared the girls!” To which Liam shook his head adamantly, no. Kat tried again. “Ray, someone could have been hurt.”
“Wasn’t me, Ms. K,” Ray said, with a sly glance toward Ryan.
“Ryan, really?” Kat asked with astonishment. Ryan stood innocently focused on his notebook which he was tapping rhythmically with his pencil, but his unique, green eyes sparkled with mischief. She always encouraged Ryan to be part of the group. He so rarely interacted; she was having a hard time being angry with the boy.
With sudden inspiration she said, “Well ladies, it looks like Ryan has laid down a challenge. Gentlemen, you better be prepared for some payback.” She hoped to turn this into a fun episode for them so that Ryan would not be shut down and the girls would not be miffed. It worked.
Lisa nodded, smiling. Making a peace sign with her fingers, she pointed to her own eyes and then at Ryan, giving him the universal “I’ll be watching you” signal. The girls huffed out of the locker rooms conspiring together and the boys followed, patting a stoic Ryan on the back. The adults brought up the rear congratulating Kat on her brilliance.
They found Mrs. Connelly waiting for them outside. She seemed unaware of their adventures and kindly offered them all lollipops from one of her big pockets. Everyone happily accepted their treat, except Bella who insisted on changing hers for a red one. The group was now headed toward “Old Bill’s Workshop” and they were truly in the deepest corner of the hospital.
The area they entered was different than the rest of the building’s basement. It was lit by old yellow bulbs in wire cages and metal shelving lined the walls from floor to ceiling. The shelves were covered in parts and pieces of just about everything from hospital beds to office chairs. The walls seemed to be of solid concrete. A peg board of tools hung on one wall and an old metal desk sat back in a dark corner. The rest of the rather large space was filled with broken chairs, tables, computer parts, you name it. Organized chaos was a good way to describe the place.
A mustiness tickled their noses as they all looked about. Mrs. Connelly let them soak in the ambience having seen other tour groups’ similar reactions.
“Híjole,” Raymond exclaimed, “What is this place?”
“Looks like The Terminator meets Hoarders,” Lisa quipped, to which Kat chuckled.
A voice from somewhere at the back of the room greeted them saying, “Welcome, welcome, come on in.” The group moved further in, Kat noticing how they stayed bunched together. It reminded her of a school of fish staying close for safety. She could not help but jump along with the others when an elvish looking man popped out from behind a file cabinet.
“Gotcha!” he exclaimed as Mrs. Connelly laughed conspiratorially. “I sure got them this time, Pauline,” he added, and Mrs. Connelly nodded her head in agreement.
“Let me guess,” Lisa whispered, leaning toward Kat, “we have found Old Bill.” Kat nodded and smiled. Thinking the genial old man looked something like an Oompa Loompa crossed with Danny DeVito, she began moving forward to introduce herself and her group.
He adjusted the flag suspenders that were clipped to his faded jeans, tucked in his denim blue work shirt and walked or rather waddled over to shake Kat’s hand. Extending a wrinkled, scarred and calloused hand, he said, “Folks just call me Old Bill and thank you for your past service, ma’am, as well as that which is to come.” He nodded to her mysteriously, his hazel eyes twinkling beneath bushy eyebrows, making her wonder how he knew of her time in the military. Old Bill listened, nodding while Kat gave introductions and explained the class assignment. When Kat quit speaking, he instantly charmed everyone, except Bella, by grabbing the girl’s phone which she had snuck out for a quick look at social media while her teacher was otherwise occupied.
For having short, stubby fingers, the man adeptly manipulated the phone’s menu, grabbed Bella in a side hug, aimed the camera at himself holding onto the stunned young lady and snapped a selfie with her. He seemed satisfied with Bella’s shocked grimace next to his innocent smile in the photo that appeared on her phone. Releasing his brief captive, he handed her back the device and told the group that if he saw any more phones out, they would be forced into more selfies.
At that, Kat whipped out her phone and insisted upon one with Bill and Lisa. Bill chuckled, wrapped his arms around them both and obliged the two women with a wide grin and a quiet comment about not getting enough time with pretty ladies. When he offered further photo ops, Joe and Jessie politely declined and Bill saw the kids in the group had received his message. They stood there with notebooks ready, no phones in sight. Bella was still quite pink from the unwanted attention but had quickly assumed the position of attentive student.
Bill began by informing the group that this part of the hospital was actually an old bomb shelter built back in the 50’s and was now his storage and fix-it room. Ray remarked that the shelter was just as old as Ms. K. This caused the group to erupt in laughter, and while they enjoyed themselves, Mrs. Connelly asked permission to steal Jessie away for a few minutes to fill out a survey about their group tour.
