Principal Lou Has A Bad Week

Lou was six foot four inches tall. He was tan, slim and movie star handsome and the no nonsense elementary principal of Willard School in the Garvey School District.

One Tuesday morning, Sharon, his mercurial secretary, insisted Lou go to the home of Tony Figueroa, a fifth grader to find out why Tony was absent. Sharon said Tony was only making it to school two days a week.

Lou pulled Tony’s enrollment card. He drove to the small wooden ramshackle home and knocked. The door was opened by a petite gorgeous woman with shoulder length black hair. Lou introduced himself and asked if she was Tony's mother. She nodded, yes.

Lou expressed his concerns regarding Tony's attendance. The mother, giving Lou the once over, said she understood. She explained Tony wasn't feeling well but he’d be in school tomorrow. She assured Lou that Tony’s attendance would improve.

The next morning Lou checked to see if Tony had shown up. Nope. Lou drove back to the home but clearly he was mistaken about the address. He didn’t see the house. He hadn’t brought Tony’s enrollment card with him because didn’t need it. He’d been there yesterday. He returned to the school, pulled the enrollment card and went back to the address. He was exactly where he'd been a few minutes before. There was no house. He got out of his car and went up to the house across the street and knocked. The door was opened by a little old man with a bushy beard.

Lou identified himself. He apologized for bothering him and explained he was trying to contact the family that he felt certain lived across the street.

“ Well, I wish I could be of some help,” the old man said.?

“ They were nice people. When I opened the door this morning to get my paper I was surprised to see a vacant lot. I called Buck. He owns the home. Sometimes Buck and I shoot pool. I figured Buck would have told me if he was moving his rental.

“ Well Buck had a conniption fit and tore over here. As near as Buck could make out his renters had stolen the house in the middle of the night, don't you know.”

Lou shook his head. He looked across the street at the empty lot. The weekly management team meeting was tomorrow. He’d have a story to share.

?????????????? **************

The Garvey School District had purchased a two bedroom one bath house and converted it in to the district office. The remodeled breakfast room became the superintendents office.The kitchen served as the staff lounge.Three rented trailers attached to the rear of the?house provided workspace for clerical staff. The living room, with a fireplace, served as the board room.

A twenty foot wood table nearly filled the “board room.” Six tilt back Cordovan leather chairs were on either side of the table. Early arrivals could score one of these chairs. Latecomers had to settle for an uncomfortable metal folding chair.

Lou arrived early. He slipped in to one of the primo chairs in front of the fireplace. He was pleased. Comfortable seating at these meetings was at a premium.

Principals dribbled in shooting the breeze with each other. The superintendent entered the room and took his seat at the head of the table.

There was an agenda but side issues would drag the meeting on longer than necessary. Today was no exception. As the meeting came to a close the superintendent asked if anyone had anything else to share.

Lou raised his hand.

“Lou, what have you got for us?” The superintendent said.

Lou told his story. Everyone cracked up and as Lou pushed his chair back he tipped upside down in the fireplace. Because of the cramped space he was unable to free himself. His long legs were pumping air. Most of the team had to leave the room so the table could be moved enough to free Lou.

Lou was rumpled but not injured. It is not known what he told his dry cleaner.