"I’m late! My first lunch time here, and I’m late!" Brenda thought frantically. She was busy setting up her things, when she realized that it was time for the turkey luncheon. This year, according to Lorie, on behalf of her, the intermediates of the school, and the staff were going to attend a special turkey lunch. Brenda raced down the stairs and searched for the gym. She finally found it and entered. Mrs. Fraumeni, the teachers and grades 7 and 8 all sat at long tables. Brenda dashed in and stopped.

"Good afternoon." Brenda stated calmly though that was the exact opposite that she was. She walked to her seat at the end of one table, across from Mrs. Fraumeni.

"Good afternoon, children."

"Good afternoon, Ms. Zadorsky." The children greeted together. Brenda started to sit in her chair but felt something beneath her fanny.

"Whaaaah ha ha ha!" She screamed. She stood up grabbed her derriere in pain and looked at her chair. A pine cone sat there. Probably put there by one of the kids.

"Enchanting little ritual. Something you, uh, learned at the public school boards?" Mrs. Fraumeni asked mystified. She hadn’t seen the pinecone.

"No, it's, um, er ... um ..." Brenda patted her rear. "... rheumatism." Brenda sat down, but not before brushing the pinecone off her chair. The children glanced at each other, surprised and relieved not to be punished for their practical joke. It was going to be harder to get rid of this vocal teacher. Mrs. Fraumeni started to eat. The children followed suit. Now, even though Brenda taught at a public school, she was in Amabile, and she knew that you say grace before you eat.

"Excuse me, Mrs, but haven't we forgotten to thank the Lord?" Brenda asked Mrs. Fraumeni, with a mouthful of food, stared at her for a second and then reluctantly put down her fork. Everyone folded their hands and bowed their heads.

"Well, I don’t know many prayers, but I do know the Amabile grace. So, I think I’ll say that one." Brenda told them. "For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for peace in a world where many walk in fear, for friends in a world where many walk alone, we give you thanks oh God. Amen."

"Amen." Mrs. Fraumeni echoed.

"Amen." The children said after their principal. Everyone started to eat. Brenda cast a shrewd glance around the table, then began to speak.

"I'd like to thank each and every one of you for the precious gift you left in my pocket earlier today." She said. At this, the children exchanged uneasy looks with one another."Um, what gift?" Mrs. Fraumeni questioned her. Brenda glanced at Peters worried face.

"It’s meant to be a secret, Major, between some of the children and me." She said.

"Uh huh. Then I suggest that you keep it and let us eat." The principal stated annoyed that there was so much talking at the table. But Brenda had something different in mind.

"Knowing how nervous I must have been, a stranger in a new school, knowing how important it was for me to feel accepted, it was so kind and thoughtful of you to make my first moments here so warm and happy and pleasant." She told the children, looking ‘round at them.

Brenda grinned at Mrs. Fraumeni who forced herself to smile. Then out of nowhere, Jessica began to sob.

Mrs. Fraumeni sighed annoyed and turned to Jessica."What is the matter, Jessica?" She asked exasperated.

"Nothing." Jessica said behind the tears .Brenda smiled to herself as the rest of the children broke down into sobs, one by one. Mrs. Fraumeni glanced around the table, astonished.

"Uh, Ms., is to be at every meal or merely at, uh, the turkey luncheon that you intend leading us all through this rare and wonderful new world of ... indigestion?" Mrs. Fraumeni asked aggravated.

"Oh, they're all right, Major. They're just happy." The children began to look frightened, and Brenda was content with her pursuit to make them feel guilty. Later on when dessert was being served, the janitor walked in.

"A telephone message for you, Mam." he said.

"Hmm." Mrs. Fraumeni took the slip of paper and read it.

"Children, in the morning, I shall be going to another school to interview a teacher to teach grade 7." The children groaned on a sarcastic tone that Mrs. Fraumeni didn’t notice.

"Oh, no, Mrs. Fraumeni!"

"Not again, Mrs. Fraumeni." Mrs. Fraumeni glared at them.

"How long will you be gone this time, Mrs. Fraumeni?" Christie asked.

"I’m not sure, Christie. I'm not sure."

"Why can't we ever get to see the new teachers?" Jessica asked.
"Why would they want to see you?" Peter asked Jessica.

"It just so happens, Jessica, that you are going to see the new teacher. I'm bringing her back with me to visit us all."

"Good!" The children said.

"And ..." Mrs. Fraumeni said, rolling her eyes "... Officer Black."

"Officer Black!" The children said delighted. Brenda didn’t know who they were talking about, so she would just have to wait and see.