2019 Writing Contest
Nothing more is said.
The next day Neveah can’t
resist pantomiming Mrs. Hornby.
This time she’s caught and it costs
her another recess.
“I want to see your drawings,
Neveah.”
Mrs. Hornby’s face is set in
anger. Not the lost your temper
kind but the sad kind that won’t
go easily.
Neveah hands over her folder
and tears come at last.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Hornby,” she
says.
“Not as sorry as you’re going to
be. How many people have seen
these? I should take them right
to Mr. Hobart but I won’t. Your
punishment is going to fi t the
crime.”
Mrs. Hornby lets the silence grow.
A couple of tears plop onto the desk
but Neveah manages to say, “What
are you going to do to me?”
“For starters, I’m taking your
recesses, all of them.”
Neveah nods.
“And I’m going to give you an
assignment. It’s important so
you’re going to do your very best.
I’m keeping the art. Maybe you’ll
get it back if I’m satisfi ed with
what you make for me.”
“Wha … what do I have to do?”
“You’ll be responsible for the
posters and the program for the
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talent show. You have a month to
design posters for the hall. The
program is important because it
will be scanned and handed out
to the parents. Don’t mess up.”
“Do I start now?” asks Neveah.
“No. You’re going to start by
stopping. You will NOT mock me
anymore. If you do, this folder
goes to the principal and we’ll call
your mother in. I don’t have to
tell you some of the drawings are
inappropriate for school. Do you
understand?”
Neveah nods.
“There’s another condition,”
says Mrs. Hornby. “No more
cartoons making fun of people.
Use your skills on the programs.”
The other kids wonder what
has gotten into Neveah. She’s
not much fun, anymore. She still
draws but it’s dull stuff . No more
Mrs. Horny comic strips. No
more Mr. Ho-Fart cartoons.
Neveah does her work without
more feats of aeronautical
engineering, no more mirroring
of Mrs. Hornby’s moves. And
she misses all recesses. No more
crazy dances as she comes in late.
Neveah is boring.
A week before the talent show,
Mrs. Hornby keeps Neveah after
school and they spend an hour
putting up the posters.
“These are very good,” says Mrs.
Hornby. “You might have to do the
same for the Christmas Concert.”
Neveah doesn’t speak.
The night of the talent show,
Neveah and another girl greet the
parents and hand each person a
show program.
People compliment the design
of the programs and several of
Neveah’s classmates come over
to say how nice they are. In
particular, they like the sketches
of them singing and playing
guitar.
The next day, when the other
students leave for recess, Mrs.
Hornby says, “Was your Mom
impressed with your programs?”
Neveah lifts a reluctant shoulder.
“Didn’t see them. She doesn’t
like me drawing. Says I’ll end up
like my Dad. A drugged-out bum.”
Neveah does the programs
for the Christmas Concert. In
the new year, Mrs. Hornby has
to call her mother in when she
catches Neveah making faces and
distracting the class.
Neveah agrees to designing the
Grade Six Farewell posters and
program. She isn’t perfect but
she and Mrs. Hornby have an
understanding.
* * *
The package arrives covered
in brown paper. Mrs. Hornby
ignores the postal clerk’s snide
comment about packages in plain
brown wrapping.
At home, she removes the paper
to reveal a graphic novel — story
and illustrations by Neveah
Thompson.
Inside, the dedication reads:
For Mrs. Hornby: you noticed.
Above it, a small sketch of a paper
airplane loops away. ●