 DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters. "The Magnificent Seven" belong to MGM and Trilogy Entertainment. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’d be a happy woman if Vin belonged to me.....but no such luck. I have not made any profit out of writing this, so please don’t sue me. It would not be worth your while.
Ass From Their Elbow Response to the Vin Fanfic and Discussion Group July 2008 Challenge Admission Miss Hansen
opened the next spelling book and began marking. She was perplexed. J.D. and Vin had
been in her class for five weeks. In
that time, they had proved the best of friends, despite being opposites in many
respects. Vin was quiet – almost introverted. He hated being the centre of attention and
never asked for help even when he needed it.
J.D. on the other hand… Tania Hansen
smiled. When she’d gone through teacher’s
college, they’d told her about children who have so much energy it can’t be
contained in their bodies. J.D. was such
a child. The ‘odd couple’, as she liked
to think of them, had been inseparable both in the classroom and playground
since the day they had started school. The incident
that had taken place earlier in the day was very out of character for Vin. J.D. had been
stunned by Vin’s unprovoked attack… so much so that he had been speechless – and that was a
first. Vin had refused to explain the motives
for his actions and so the teacher had no option but to keep the child in. Miss Hansen
paused to study Vin who was seated at his desk in the
second row. The seven-year-old was
looking out the window frowning too deeply for any child. “Are you ready to tell me why you did that to
J.D.?” Vin turned toward her. His huge blue eyes were distant. He was a child who seemed to carry the weight
of the world on his shoulders. There
were many layers to this little boy and so much hidden below the surface. It was times like this Tania Hansen had to
remind herself she had to adhere to the teacher’s golden rule – friendly, firm
but never familiar. She guessed wrapping
this little boy up in her arms would be considered ‘familiar’. Vin Tanner
was painfully thin, though in the five weeks he’d been in her class, he’d put
on considerable weight. His guardian
cared deeply for him. Even after one
discussion with Chris Larabee, the teacher could tell. Tania Hansen
prided herself on knowing and understanding her students, but right now she
couldn’t read this little boy. Knowing
his background, she realized reaching him may be difficult. “Vin, are you angry with J.D.?” Vin shook his head slowly. “No, Ma’am.” “So why did
you do it? I know it wasn’t an
accident.” Vin blinked, maintaining her gaze. “Sweetheart,
I can’t help you unless you tell me what the problem is.” “Everything’s
okay.” His voice was so soft… so calm…
so eerily mature. “It’s not
okay, Vin. You need to tell me why. What you did was mean. You know that, don’t you?” Vin drew in a deep breath and exhaled
slowly. “I can’t tell you, Miss
Hansen. Sorry.” He crossed his arms on his desk and lowered
his face into them. Tania Hansen
frowned. Perhaps she should call his
guardian. ********** Vin rested his head on his arms. He felt bad.
He knew Miss Hansen wasn’t mad any more, but she wanted to know… and he
couldn’t tell her. He really liked Miss
Hansen. She smiled a lot… a lot more
than any other teacher he’d ever had.
When he found things hard, she helped him. He didn’t even need to ask. Somehow she knew. She didn’t get grumpy at him for not
understanding either. Miss Hansen
was the best teacher ever… but he couldn’t tell her. Vin twisted his head to the side and
stared across at the window where he could see the other kids eating. He felt hungry but nothing would make him
tell. When he’d seen what J.D. had done… A deep sigh
echoed out of him and his thoughts drifted to Chris. Miss Hansen was sure to tell Chris, but that
was okay. He could tell Chris why he did
it and Chris would understand. Chris
always understood. 20 minutes earlier J.D. crossed his legs tighter. He really needed to ‘go’. He should have gone at first break, but he’d lined up at the refreshment stand, got a popsicle and then there had been the soccer game and… and he simply hadn’t got to the toilet. The small classroom was alive with excitement. Twenty-three, five to seven year olds were focused on Pete’s dad. He was a fireman and he’d come to show them how to put out fires. J.D. moved uncomfortably in his seat. He considered putting his hand up and asking to go now, but he didn’t want to miss the presentation. Pete was J.D.’s best friend… well, not counting Vin… so he just couldn’t leave. Fireman “I need someone to fill this bucket with water for me.” J.D. thrust his hand into the air with everyone else, bouncing up and down with both excitement and in an attempt to ‘hold on’. Fireman Fireman J.D. wriggled in his seat. It was beginning to hurt. His gaze drifted to the door. He REALLY needed to go, but he didn’t want to miss out. “… and then, out of the door rushed a chicken!” J.D. burst out laughing with the rest of the class. Warmth flowed down one of J.D.’s legs and pooled on the ground under his chair. J.D’s face drained of colour. He glanced at the front of his shorts. Panic captured the five-year-old. He’d wet his pants! The shock was overwhelming. He’d wet his pants! He shot a desperate look at Vin who was on the far right of the room. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Miss Hansen walking toward him. She knew! Everyone would know! Horrified, J.D. scanned the room. If the other boys found out, they’d tease him. If the girls found out, they’d laugh at him. Shutting his eyes J.D prayed – just as Josiah had taught
him. Father
God, I needs help.
This is an emeeeeeeeergency! I needs help real
bad! Right now! As J.D. opened his eyes, he was hit in the face with water. It cascaded down his face and chest, drenching him from top to toe. Gasping, he looked up. Vin was standing over him with an empty bucket. Their eyes connected. Vin knew and he’d… Everything started happening quickly. Miss Hansen rushed forward and dragged Vin away, shouting at him. The children around J.D. leapt up and grabbed paint smocks to mop up around his desk. Fireman Mrs. Stapleton, the teacher’s aide, ushered J.D. to the door. “Relax, J.D. We can get you some dry clothes from the spare clothes bag.” Off to one side, Vin stood silently as Miss Hansen demanded, “Why?” J.D. held his breath. Vin glanced at him. Vin knew he’d wet his pants. J.D. knew Vin knew. God had sent Vin to save him. Silently, J.D. pleaded for Vin’s silence. “Vin, why? You and J.D. always get along so well.” Vin turned back to the teacher and then lowered his face. As Mrs. Stapleton took J.D. by the hand and they walked along the corridor, J.D. watched Miss Hansen put her hands on her hips – she only did that when she was annoyed. J.D. licked his lips. Would Vin tell? ********* When J.D. returned to the classroom a few minutes later wearing a dry pair of gym shorts and t-shirt, the class was once again listening to Fireman Davis… all apart from Vin who was sitting in the corner facing the wall. That was where ‘bad’ kids had to sit. J.D. bit his bottom lip. Vin hadn’t told… but now he was in trouble. Miss Hansen smiled at J.D. and pointed for him to go to his place. J.D. sank into his seat, his eyes on Vin. Miss Hansen appeared over him. “It’s okay, J.D. You didn’t do anything wrong. Vin has been very mean.” “But…” the words caught in his throat. If he told the teacher, everyone would know. They’d know he’d wet his pants. Abruptly the room exploded with clapping. Fireman Boys and girls crowded around J.D., offering support and asking if he wanted to sit with them. Some walked past Vin, whispering and pointing. J.D.’s gaze was drawn to Vin who once again was being questioned by Miss Hansen. Vin glanced toward him. His face was blank but his eyes said everything. Vin understood and he wasn’t going to tell. J.D. swallowed and allowed himself to be dragged along by his classmates. They exited the classroom, but J.D.’s eyes never left Vin and Miss Hansen. Miss Hansen sent Vin to his desk, her voice loud enough for J.D. to hear. “Until you can tell me why you tipped water on J.D., you will have to sit at your desk. That was a very mean thing to do.” J.D.’s legs felt heavy. Guilt weighed on his small shoulders. Vin shouldn’t be getting into trouble. He’d saved him. J.D. stopped, the desire to save Vin now overwhelming. “Come on, J.D.,” Pete cried. “Don’t worry about that meany. You can play with us today.” “He’s not a meany,” J.D. exploded, instinctively defending Vin. “He was just…” His voice shook and the words disappeared. He couldn’t say it. It was too embarrassing. If it had been anything else, J.D. would have told them but… he’d wet his pants! Just like a baby, he’d wet his pants! “Vin’s in big trouble now,” Claire stated, taking a bag of candies from her lunch box. “You want some, J.D.?” J.D. looked at them, but shook his head. “Why is Vin in big trouble? It was just water.” “If he doesn’t talk, Miss Hansen will send him to the principal’s office.” J.D.’s brown eyes widened. “No! They can’t.” “Why do you care?” Pete asked. “He tipped water on you. Don’t worry about him. Now you can play with us and we don’t have to worry about him tagging along.” J.D. glared at the other boy. “He’ll probably be expelled.” J.D. was on his feet and running before conscious thought took hold. ** J.D. raced
down the corridor, running so fast he knocked over two kids. He skidded into the classroom, pleading,
“Miss Hansen! Don’t expel Vin.” The teacher
raised her hand for him to calm and then beckoned him over. “It’s okay,
J.D. This wasn’t your fault.” “It wasn’t
Vin’s fault either,” J.D. cried. This
had got out of hand. “I saw what
happened, J.D. He deliberately tipped
that bucket of water on you.” J.D.’s eyes
brimmed with tears and he sobbed the admission he should have made before
things had got this far. “Wet.. my.. pants.” Miss Hansen
nodded. “Yes, I know he did. It wasn’t a very nice thing to do.” Tears
streamed down J.D.’s face as he looked at Vin. Vin shook his head
insistently. “I gotta, Vin. I gotta tell.” J.D.
turned to his teacher. “I wet my
pants. Vin knew.” Miss Hansen’s
eyes grew wide. She flicked her gaze to Vin. “Vin, is this…” She
paused and began to nod. “You tipped the
water on J.D. so no one would know?” Vin didn’t move, his intense blue eyes
penetrating. “Why didn’t
you tell me?” the teacher asked, rising from her desk and walking toward him. Vin tilted his head to the side and said
quietly. “Then everyone would have known
and they’d laugh at him.” “I see.” A smile spread across the teacher’s face.
“You are a very good friend, Vin.” “We’re
brothers,” Vin correctly quietly. J.D.
nodded. “Pa says that anyone who says we
aren’t doesn’t know their ass from their elbow.” Miss Hansen’s
smile broadened. “Did he now?” J.D. nodded
again. “I shouldda
told you so Vin didn’t get into trouble, but everyone
would have laughed at me and…” J.D.
walked over to Vin.
“I’s sorry, Vin.” “S’okay.” Miss Hansen
patted J.D.’s shoulder and smiled at Vin. “I’m proud of you both. Go on.
Off to lunch.” Vin rose and the two little boys made
their way out to the playground. Shaun called
out “meany” to Vin. J.D. glanced
at his brother. “I’ll tell them what happened.” “You don’t hafta. They don’t
need to know,” Vin insisted. “Then they’ll
be mean to you. I hafta tell them, Vin. I hafta.” J.D. strode
toward the group from their class. His chest
tightened. They were
going to laugh at him. They were
going to call him a baby. J.D. glanced
sideways. Vin moved closer, his arm brushing J.D.’s and he nodded encouragement . J.D.
smiled his thanks. He didn’t need to do
this alone. That was the great thing
about having a big brother. Together,
J.D. and Vin approached the group of students who had paused to stare at them. In that
single moment, J.D. knew admitting what had happened was going to be hard, but
not saying anything would be wrong. Besides,
it didn’t matter what they thought. He and Vin
were brothers and like Buck said, anyone who said anything different didn’t
know their ass from their elbow. You can drop me a note here.  © May 2008 Aussie Lass. : This relates only to the creative property in this story. The distinctive way the story unfolds, the specific dialogue and unique situations are mine. I acknowledge that some of the characters and settings belong to the owners of "The Magnificent Seven" and I thank them sincerely for turning a blind eye so I can borrow them. (g) No infrigement of copyright was intended and no profit has been made from this story... so, please don't sue me. It wouldn't be worth your while. |
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