32. Chapter 23 (1/2)

--chapter twenty-three--

the next day at fillmore junior high, bobby and cindy talk to principal stoner about the outcome of the spelling bee.

principal stoner: what can i do for you two?

bobby: we, cindy and me…

principal stoner: cindy and i.

bobby: okay, cindy and i would like to talk to you about the outcome of the spelling bee.

principal stoner: what about it? the two of you did very well.

bobby: thanks, but there's a problem.

principal stoner: oh?

bobby: cindy, you tell him. you discovered it first.

cindy: inhales. we would like to file a protest. she hands him a letter she and bobby typed.

principal stoner: a protest?

cindy: yes. we saw cassie hathaway with a crib sheet during the bee.

principal stoner: that's a serious accusation to make.

bobby: stammering. we know and we wouldn't make it lightly.

cindy: what bobby means is that we wouldn't file the protest if we didn't believe it to be true.

principal stoner: okay, go on.

cindy: i saw her look at her crib sheet on the word bobby misspelled.

bobby: yeah, insouciant.

cindy: continues. which means, she should be disqualified and bobby declared the winner.

principal stoner: are you sure it's not because if cassie is disqualified, you two would be up for the regional bee?

bobby: as much as i'd like to go to the bee, having an honest outcome to the school bee is more important to me.

principal stoner: well, that's admirable kids. he stands up to usher the kids out. i, too want an honest outcome of the bee. i'm going to take the protest to the committee myself so we can get to the bottom of it.

bobby: thanks.

principal stoner: one more thing. when you discovered this sheet that you're alleging cassie kept in her hand, did you notify the proctor and judging panel?

cindy: yes, i did, but they dismissed me.

bobby: it's all spelled out in the letter.

principal stoner: thank you. the bell's about to ring. you'd better get to your next class.

they depart the principal's office.

later that evening, the kids are talking about the protest over dinner.

marcia: how'd it go today?

bobby: what?

marcia: the protest.

jan: yeah, how did it go?

cindy: i guess okay. principal stoner said he'd get back to us at the end of the week at the earliest. sulking.

peter: then why the long face?

bobby: you know that the line "get back to you" is just a line to dismiss kids.

carol: you don't know that.

mike: the important thing is that you stood up for what you believe is right.

bobby: fat lot of good that'll do when cassie's at the regional bee instead of me. so once again, i'm a loser.

carol: bobby, you're not a loser.

mike: the only thing that would make you a loser is if you stood by and did nothing. instead, you took the initiative and filed the protest. now regardless of the outcome, you are not a loser.

carol: in fact, she's the one who lost because she won dishonestly. dishonesty will get you nowhere.

cindy: it looks like it got her to the regional bee.

mike: give the process a chance to work.

bobby: okay.

cindy: rolls her eyes. like that'll solve anything.

mike: you don't know until you try.

cindy: whatever.

friday rolls around and bobby and cindy are anxiously awaiting the verdict of the protest. cassie figures out who filed the protest. she's so angry she could spit fire.

cassie: so, you think you can file a protest and take the spelling bee victory away from me.

bobby: feigns ignorance. what protest?

cassie: i know you filed it and when i find proof of it, you'll be sorry.

cindy: i don't know what you're talking about.

cassie: weren't you questioned by the committee?

bobby: what committee?

cassie: the spelling bee committee, you oaf!

cindy: what did they question you about?

cassie: someone accused me of cheating.

bobby: what exactly did they say?

cassie: oh, you know.

cindy: know what?

cassie: don't play dumb with me.

bobby: so, who are we supposed to play dumb with? i don't see anyone else around.

cassie: grits her teeth. you know and if i find out you were the ones who filed, so help me i'll…

ms. hansen walks by.

cindy: smiling smugly. you'll what?

cassie: never mind.

the bell rings and they go to their respective classes.

at the end of the day, principal stoner makes the afternoon announcements.

principal stoner: …and after much deliberation and investigation into the allegations filed in regard to the spelling bee, the results have been certified.

bobby and cindy both sit upright in their seats in their classrooms, holding their

eath.

principal stoner: the winner of the 1974 fillmore junior high spelling bee is cassie hathaway. second place is bobby

ady and third place is cindy

ady.

cassie hathaway and her friends cheer and sneer at cindy, who tries to remain stoic.

principal stoner: we are pleased to announce that fillmore has been granted one wildcard spot in the bee. therefore both cassie hathaway and bobby

ady will represent the school in the regional spelling bee in january. cindy

ady has been named first alternate from our school.

bobby is excited about the partial victory won.

the bell rings signaling the end of school. bobby and cindy meet at their lockers and walk home. they don't speak until they know they're out of range for any of cassie's spies.

cindy: congratulations, bobby. you deserved the spot.

bobby: thanks, but so did you.

cindy: bummed. yeah. drat that cassie!

bobby: i just can't believe the protest went nowhere.

cindy: yeah, that was totally bogus. i bet cassie did her little "sweet and innocent" routine.

bobby: yeah, you said it.

they arrive home. mike and carol are burping the babies in the living room.

carol: holding ryan who is screaming. c'mon, baby boy. you've got a big bubble in your stomach. we gotta get it out. she stands up and walks her son and sees the youngest pair of school-aged

adys enter the room. hi kids.

bobby: sad. hi.

cindy: sad too. hi.

carol: what's wrong?

bobby: they announced the results of the spelling bee today.

cindy: our protest failed.

carol: i'm sorry.

ryan refuses to burp and acts like he's still hungry. carol sits down and nurses him some more.

mike: you tried your best.

cindy: and failed.

mike: you may not be going to the bee, but you didn't fail.

cindy: how can you say that?