Free Giving Up the Ghost by Marilyn Levinson Page B

added quickly. "But a good topic,
Lance."
    "Yes, a very good topic," Gabbie agreed, watching Lance's face turn strawberry red.
"Let's help Lance spice up his essay."
    "Lots of sexy women," someone called out.
    "Torture scenes." Lynne cracked her gum. "Sorry," she said before Gabbie had a chance
to reprimand her.
    "All very graphic," Gabbie said, "but think--what makes a movie a classic?"
    Dexter raised his hand. Though this was his first participation in class discussion,
Gabbie shook her head. "I said think. And after you've thought, write down five specific elements
that make a film a classic. You have five minutes."
    She walked through the rows, delighted to see brains in action. The results were
creative, too. When she got to Barrett, she saw he was drawing tiny pictures in his spiral notebook.
She caught a glimpse of a burning house. Two figures were lying on the ground. Repelled, she
recoiled.
    "Start working on your list," she said.
    "I'm thinking," Barrett answered, and inked in a knife stabbing one of the bodies on the
ground.
    I must speak to his guidance counselor, Gabbie told herself as she walked back to her
desk. The class spent the next ten minutes going over their lists. The kids all wanted to read theirs
aloud, and much as she hated to squelch their enthusiasm, it was time to move on. She took a deep
breath, let it out slowly.
    "We've one more essay to listen to. Barrett, are you prepared?"
    Instead of the excuse she'd expected, followed by a request for an extension, Barrett
surprised her with a broad smile. "Good thing I had a copy of my essay at home. I'm ready when you
are."
    She disregarded his impudence. "Please begin."
    "I've chosen to dispute a slogan from the Bible."
    "Slogan?" Gabbie said. "A slogan is something we associate with advertising or
propaganda."
    "Whatever." Barrett shrugged. "My essay is 'The Strong Shall Inherit the Earth.'"
    The essay was every bit as horrendous as she'd feared it would be. The writing was
amazingly powerful, the language almost beautiful in its simplicity, as Barrett defended his theory
that the strong had always ruled because they were entitled to rule. When he started extolling
Hitler's virtues, she interrupted.
    "Enough, Barrett. What you're saying is offensive."
    "I've every right to read my essay aloud just like everyone else."
    "Your essay isn't like everyone else's," she retorted. "Please leave it on my desk and take
your seat."
    "Whatever." He did as she'd requested and returned to his drawing.
    After class, Lydia sat in the English office and read Barrett's paper. The last part was the
worst: "The unproductive, the elderly, the sick and insane should abide by the laws of the strong
and able. Those unable to add to the society of the strong should be put down out of kindness to
themselves."
    "Out of kindness to themselves!" She spit out the words as she gathered up her
belongings and strode off to the guidance office.
    This time she was in luck. George Breck was leaning back in his swivel chair, gazing out
the window. His navy blazer gaped open to reveal a considerable paunch. She stepped past the
secretary, who was talking on the telephone, and knocked at the open door.
    "Hi, George, Gabbie Meyerson. I've taken over Lydia Ketchem's classes, and I need to
speak to you about a student."
    Dark, intelligent eyes assessed her. "Come in, Gabbie. Please close the door and take a
seat."
    When she was sitting, he said, "How're things going?"
    "Fine except for Barrett Connelly."
    A slow smile spread across George's face. "Tell me why I'm not surprised."
    "He's uncooperative, draws pictures of death and destruction, and he wrote this." She
thrust the essay toward him.
    George scanned it quickly and handed it back to her. "Not a democratic thinker, is
he?"
    Gabbie glared at him. "This is far from a joke. I think Barrett's dangerous. God, have you
people forgotten Columbine? Virginia State?"
    "Of course not. And we're well aware of Barrett's eccentricities. But we've no