Page 11 of Echoes of Temptation

“Ms. Burton is correct,” he tells her. “Intelligence is the strongest weapon you could hope for. You could be the strongest person in the world, but if you didn’t have a sharp mind and a kind heart you would have nothing.”

“Ms. Burton says I have a kind heart,” Levi says from behind King.

“Is that so, little man?” King says, moving his crouched body sideways to look at the newcomer.

“Yep. But she tells me that sometimes I’m too nice. Isn’t that silly? How can a person be too nice?”

“It’s because that bully was making fun of you for having Down Syndrome, Levi” Lucy explains. “You should have told a trusted adult but instead you just wanted to be his friend. Sometimes, your heart gets in the way of your safety.”

“Maybe the bully is only a bully because he hasn’t been shown any kindness, Lucy,” Levi tells her, hands tossed onto his hips.

“And maybe he’s a bully because he needs to feel better about himself,” Lucy rebuttals. “But the fact remains that he’s a bully regardless of the reason why.”

“Ms. Burton says that it’s okay to show mean people kindness as long as we do it in a safe way.”

“Exactly, Levi. A safe way. And hugging your bully as if he’s your best friend is not safe. Is it, Mr. King?”

“Alright kids,” I laugh. “We can pick up this debate later on. For now, go to your assigned seats.”

“Ms. Burton, guess what I got for Christmas?” Wyatt says, stomping into the classroom a little harder than normal.

“Coal?” I tease.

“Hey, I was not on Santa’s naughty list. I did all of my homework and chores. But look. Can you see it? Do you need me to turn the lights off?”

Wyatt, full of energy as always, starts hopping up and down.

“Watch Ms. Burton. Watch.”

Wyatt’s excessive amount of energy usually wears me out by the end of the day but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. All of my students require a little more attention, and a little more of my energy, but I’m in my element.

“They light up, Ms. Burton,” Wyatt screeches before I get the chance to say anything. “Did you see it? Watch.”

Again, he starts hopping.

“Those are super cool, buddy,” I laugh. “Do you think they have shoes like that in my size?”

“I think I have the only pair in existence, Ms. Burton, but you can borrow mine sometime.”

“Well, thank you, Wyatt,” I smile. “Go find your seat, please.”

“Hey there, mister. Do you want to see what my shoes can do?” Wyatt asks King as if he wasn’t standing beside me the whole time.

“Your seat, Wyatt,” I laugh. I don’t think he took his ADHD meds this morning. But that’s okay. I have ways of making the little turkey distracted.

“Good morning, Ms. Burton. Can I stay in your class today? My mind isn’t ready for the main classroom yet.”

Caden stands near the door and looks down at his hands. He isn’t one of my main students but from time to time his teachers will allow him to bring his work to my room so he can focus. Caden has high-functioning Autism and Attention Deficit Disorder. After being out of school for so long, it’s going to take his mind a few days to reacclimate to the hustle and bustle of school life.

“Did you talk to your teachers first?” I ask.

“They said they’re going to have someone bring me the work I need to do,” he says, still looking down at his hands.

“You know that I don’t mind,” I tell him. “Do you want to stay in here with us or do you want the silent room today?”

Being a special needs teacher, sometimes I get students whose minds get too overstimulated. Sort of like Caden’s is today. I raised some funds to have a special room built in my classroom for when that happens. It’s completely sound proofand the walls are a navy blue which has been scientifically proven to be the most relaxing color in the world.

When someone enters the room and shuts the door, a red light activates above the door as well as sends a signal to the main office. There is a table for work and a small speaker inside that is used for the bells, announcements, and any alarms that may go off. All safety precautions have been put into place so that no child inside the room will be left or forgotten.

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