From All Ends of the Earth

There are just some points in a boy's life that are going to stay engraved until time stands still. “Hi, my name is Isaac Matheson and I would like to tell you about the point in my life that helped me to define who I am. I am twelve years old and in the sixth grade at Wildwood Middle School and I live at The Cherry Knolls Home for Orphaned Boys in Wisconsin . I have lived there ever since my seventh birthday when my parents went to prison, but that is another story all together. My counselor says I should write down things in my life that I feel are important so I won't be all messed up when I am an adult like my mom and dad. So that is what you will see here. If I feel it is important, you will read it, if not you wont. Nice and easy that way, huh? 

"Our life here at Cherry Knolls was I guess a lot like military school and the orphanage was divided into ‘sections' which kept kids together by their age group. A section was four to five kids who would share a room and do activities together. My section which was given the nickname ‘tiger section' because we were wild had only four boys in it. 

"Timothy Green was kind of the shy one of the group. At twelve years old he had been here the longest, almost eight years. He was built about the same as me which was kind of on the scrawny side. Both of us were only about five foot tall. The difference was our looks; I had blonde hair that I kept in a bowl cut and bright green eyes, while Tim had thick brown hair that was always just short of being messy and deep big brown eyes. 

"Randall Owen O'Kearny or Rook as we called him came about a year later than Tim and was the same age as me to the day. Both of us were born on June 20. He had bright red hair, green eyes, and the whitest teeth you had ever seen. 

"Finally there was Landon King; he was the practical joker of the group. He played pranks so much that each one of us got to the point of checking underneath the toilet every time we went to the bathroom. Landon came here when he was eight years old and now he was eleven, almost twelve. He was the tallest of the group at a whopping five feet two inches and had blonde hair that almost looked transparent and eyes so blue they reminded you of ice. So this was our happy little group. We did everything together, and on more than one occasion, Mr. Hartley, our dean, said that we were as thick as thieves, whatever that means. 

"Like I said, our group was pretty tight and we were very close friends. At school there wasn't a single class where I didn't have at least one of my group with me and that made me feel better because we usually had to stand up for each other. We got picked on constantly for being orphans, and sometimes it would get physical. This really got to be a problem since I would usually lose and that always made it worse. There was a specific group of kids at our school who would torment us beyond belief every single time they had the chance. They called themselves ‘the bashers' and they constantly would tell people that they hated fags. Now I have no idea what a fag is, but every time I hear the word, I get a cold chill down my spine, so I guess it's not a good thing. Unfortunately for me and my friends, we have seemed to take on this name in the last week and things are starting to get harsh for us. The comments we would hear as we walked down the hall would never be nice. Things like, ‘Oh look. There go the fags; their parents got rid of them because they are queer.' This would usually be followed by someone knocking our books out of our hands or even worse a wicked wedgie. If you have ever had the waistband of your undershorts pulled up over your head, you know what a wicked wedgie is. If you haven't … Consider yourself lucky. It was during this horrible week that I found my best friend in the world. He came to my rescue when I was about to get beat into the ground. His name is Kevin Richland, and like me he is twelve. He has light brown hair and bright green eyes. He was being sent to the Orphanage as well, only I didn't know that yet. 

“So here is our story. The story of five friends who would take on the world if we had to. Each of us has a part to tell, so that is exactly what we will do.” 

---

Kevin 

“Kevin Richland,” The Director, Dean Hartley said as he extended his hand. “I am so very happy to meet you.” 

“Yes sir,” I replied somewhat shyly. “It's nice to meet you.” 

“Kevin, I know that this isn't easy for you, but I promise you this; I will do everything I can to make it easier for you. All we have to do is place trust in each other. Many of the boys here at Cherry Knolls have been through the same situations that you have, so there will be no pity parties for anyone. What you will find, I hope, is a place where you can put your past behind you and start working on your future. This isn't a normal orphanage like you were used to; here we try to focus on the positives and strengths of each individual. There is no hate allowed here. We all accept each other for who we are, and we help each other as best we can.” 

“Sir, I don't mean to argue, but I am not sure I can call my last orphanage ‘normal,' I mean, they were torturing us there. We went without food sometimes, we got beaten, and some kids got molested also, no; there was nothing normal about that I hope. I promise I will try to trust people, but that might be hard, but I will try ok?” 

“Ok Kevin, I can respect that, but I also want you to know that here we believe that children are gifts and we treat them with respect and dignity. With that said, I will now offer you two choices. One, I can take you to your room and let you get settled in and I can tell you all about your new room mates. You are in a section called ‘The Tigers' since they tend to be a little wild. Maybe you can tame them for me? Or two, I can take you to your new school and get you registered and have them take you on a tour of the facility so you can be better prepared to start tomorrow. Which will it be?” 

Well Mr. Hartley, I think I would rather go to the school. I don't want you to tell me anything about the other boys. I would rather learn that for myself with out somebody putting ideas in my head. Let's go to the school and get that ready. I might as well get it over and done with.” 

“Well,” Mr. Hartley said as he pulled at his goatee. “That isn't the answer I was expecting, but I must say, it is definitely the more mature answer to give. I am impressed that you would look at it like that. I'll tell you what. Give me five minutes to call the school and tell them we are coming, and then we will go. I will have one of the staff take your things to your new room. After we are done at the school, we can go have a milkshake. Does that sound ok to you?” 

“Wow, yes. I never got to go and have a milkshake at my old home. You guys really are different here aren't you?” 

“We try to be Kevin. Maybe that is why people get along here. Now let me make that call and we can go. You can go and wait in the main office and I will be with you in a minute.” 

After about three minutes Mr. Hartley and I walked out to the car and started the trip to the school. I was nervous, but I knew that I had no reason to be. When we got to the school the secretary at the desk asked me a few questions and then gave Mr. Hartley a packet of papers that he would have to sign. While he was filling them out a man came out of the office and started to talk with us. 

“Hello Dave,” he said to Mr. Hartley. “I see you have another one to add to your bunch.” 

“Yes Mike I do. This is Kevin Richland, Kevin; this is Mike Davis, your new principal.” 

Mr. Davis reached out and shook my hand and showed me a very warm smile while he told me it was a pleasure to meet me and all of that other usual stuff. He then looked me in the eye and asked me if I would like to take a tour of the school. I said, “Yes, please.” He then asked the secretary to call one of the teachers who was on an off period to come to the office and take me for my tour. “Kevin, it is first lunch right now, so you will see a lot of kids around, just smile and you should be fine.” 

At that moment an older man walked in and walked up to the principal and then introduced himself. “I am Mr. Douglas, I teach math here, and what would your name be?” 

“I am Kevin Richland sir, it's nice to meet you,” I said as I shook his hand. The minute I shook hands with him I got a cold chill for a second. 

“Well let's start our tour, shall we? 

“Yes sir.” 

“Well how about that,” Mr. Douglas Exclaimed! A young boy that understands the value of decent manners is very rare nowadays. I like that in a lad. You keep that attitude here son and you will do well by it.” 

As we walked around the school, Mr. Douglas pointed out all of the different hallways, labs, and etcetera. He started to talk with me about sports, and when he found out I was a baseball player, he really started to warm up as he was the baseball coach. We continued our talk and tour and finally reached the lunch area. Once we were there he started pointing out some of the other players on the team and that's when I noticed something going on. Over in the corner there were some boys that looked like they were in over their heads with some bigger kids. I pointed this out to Mr. Douglas, and he said, “Oh, don't worry about that, those kids are just taking care of a few fairies we seem to have collected. Nothing to worry about.” 

I was in shock when I said, “Excuse me, but did you just call those kids fairies?” 

“If anyone asks me, I'll just deny it young man,” Mr. Douglas replied. “Besides, what's the big deal? Those kids are strange, and the rumor is that they are queer, and I for one don't believe we need any poison like that at this school. Subject closed!” 

“But sir,” I began, while pointing in their direction. “They are getting hurt!” 

“I said subject closed, Mr. Richland! You would be wise to not cross me or back talk me again. That is definitely not the best foot to put forward,” Mr. Douglas growled. 

I was caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, I could just ignore it and pretend it never happened, and maybe even score some points with my new teacher, or I could do something and get in trouble before I even attend my first class. 

I started to walk towards the kids at a fast pace, which made the teacher very mad, but at this point I didn't care. I had been picked on one too many times in my life to let those kids get hurt because a teacher was being an idiot. 

When I got to where they were, the biggest of the three bullies looked at me and said, “Listen, I don't know who you are, and I really don't care, but unless you wanna get your butt whooped, I'd leave real fast.” 

“Hey, I'm just the new kid here,” I started. “And I was wondering why it takes three of you to pick on two kids that are smaller than you?” 

“Because these guys are queer if you must know,” He said angrily. “And unless you want to be called queer too … LEAVE!” 

I looked around and saw Mr. Douglas standing about forty feet in the distance just smiling so I told the bully, “I don't think so dude. I think you need to back off these guys.” 

With those words I got pushed down to the ground, but I just hopped back up. “Is that all you have,” I asked just in time for him to make another move. As he tried to swing at me I grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back, hard, making him turn around. Then I put my foot in between his feet and pushed him away, making him fall flat to the ground. He jumped back up and tried to hit me again and this time I planted my right foot in the middle of his stomach, and he went down. I looked to see if the other two boys were going to try anything, but they just sat there with their jaws hanging open. I opened my mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Mr. Douglas saying, “Well young man. I see you didn't want to go to this school after all. Here just thirty minutes and now you will be expelled. I think that is a record. I don't take kindly to punks such as you attacking my students without provocation. Everyone to the office, NOW!” 

I started to open my mouth to protest but Mr. Douglas looked me right in the eyes and said, “Don't even think of opening your mouth now kid. Nobody is going to believe a word you say, so just live with it. You are gone. It shouldn't bother you much, you haven't even met anyone yet. I told you we didn't need that kind of poison here, and that includes people who stand up for them.” 

I shut my mouth tight and just walked to the office. As I was walking Mr. Douglas tried to slow me down by putting his hand on my shoulder but I just threw it off and walked faster. When we got to the main office, Mr. Douglas just burst in right in front of me and started yelling for the principal to get out here. 

When he heard all of the commotion, Mr. Davis came out into the foyer asking, “What is all the yelling about?” 

“I want this kid expelled,” He yelled while pointing at me. “He started a fight with Kyle Hutchinson without provocation. I also want these two little perverts, he continued while pointing at the other smaller boys, suspended as they witnessed the attack and did not go and find a teacher.” 

At this point everyone started talking all at once and nobody was getting anywhere until Mr. Davis said, “Will everyone please be quiet! Let's get to the bottom of this. First of all, Mr. Douglas, I think you and I should talk in private.” 

“No,” Mr. Douglas almost shouted. “We will take care of this here and now.” 

“Fine sir, have it your way. You will then wait to tell your perspective last. I will hear from the boys first. Kevin, would you please tell me what happened?” 

“Sir,” I began. “While I was taking my tour with Mr. Douglas, I saw these three boys being mean to these two smaller boys. I asked Mr. Douglas to do something and he told me that they were fairies and this school didn't need that kind of poison here and to just ignore it.” 

“You stupid little liar,” Mr. Douglas yelled! 

“That will be enough Mr. Douglas. You will hold your tongue until it is your turn! Mr. Richland, please continue.” 

“Sir, I am sorry, but when he wouldn't do anything I went over to see if I could get it to stop. I hate bullies and it was bad enough that it was three on two, but those kids are so much bigger. I was afraid that these guys would get hurt. 

When I got to where they were standing, I tried to talk them down, but this Kyle kid pushed me. I looked over at Mr. Douglas and he just smiled. When I got back up, Kyle tried it again, and yes I did fight back, and I did take him down. 

At this point Mr. Douglas stood up and said, “I will not tolerate any more of this lying. I did nothing of the sort. Mike, I want him gone now! I also want these two other punks suspended.” 

Dean Hartley walked into the room as this was going on, and the two other boys lit up and said, “Hi Dean.” 

Mr. Douglas looked right at him and said, “Good, you're here. Take your little fairies home, and when you get there, put them in a room and light it on fire. You and your pathetic excuse for human beings disgust me. People like you should not be allowed in decent society. Don't you think there is a reason that parents abandon their kids? It's because they are like these ones. Strange and just plain out not normal. I hope you all rot in Hell” 

The moment he said that you could see that Dean was about to explode, and Mr. Davis' jaw was hanging to the floor. Me and the other kids all looked at Mr. Douglas like he was stark raving mad, and the room was absolutely silent. The only sound you could hear was the faint hum coming from the fan in the principal's computer. 

When he finally regained his composure, the principal said, “Mr. Douglas! I am appalled at your behavior. Judging by your comments and the stance you are taking, I have no doubt in my mind that Mr. Richland is being completely honest in his accusations towards you. Effective immediately sir, you are on administrative leave. I expect you to collect your belongings and return your keys within the next 15 minutes, after which you are herby banned from school district properties until a hearing can be set to determine your punishment. Make no bones about it sir, I am asking the superintendent to terminate your contract for failing to abide by the district policies regarding sexual harassment, and for violating the no tolerance rule regarding stereotyping. Plus, I think there is no room for bigots and jerks like you in a building with children we are supposed to be molding into adults . Also, if these young men wish to file a complaint with the authorities, I will act as their witness to your derogatory statement. Now, I want you out of my office and off my school grounds before I call the police to have you removed. You will be informed of your hearing by the proper personnel at the district office. Leave!” 

As Mr. Douglas started to leave he stopped right in front of me and said, “You'll get yours faggot!” 

I just smiled at him and said, “Have a nice vacation, loser.” 

After all of that was taken care of, Mr. Davis asked all of us to go into his office where we had to go into more details about what had happened. As we sat down in front of his large wooden desk, everyone started to speak all at once. 

When he finally got everyone to calm down he began asking questions to all of us about what had happened. 

Kyle and his two buddies explained that they were doing what Mr. Douglas had told them to do. ‘Make life miserable for the faggots of the school.' When Mr. Davis told them to rephrase their comments Kyle said, “I don't like these kids, and I won't rephrase anything. You're ruining this school and our team.” 

Mr. Davis looked at him and then at his friends, Jacob and Dave and asked them if they all felt that way? All three of them nodded their heads. 

“Well in that case boys.” Mr. Davis began. “I have no choice but to suspend all three of you for the next five days. You are also as of now ineligible to participate in any extra-curricular activities. That means you can't play baseball. Go into the front office and call your parents. You are going home, and I want to hear no back talk or you might be expelled.” 

Kyle, Mark, and Dave all hung their heads as they walked out of the room. Each one of them staring at me with pure hatred, and muttering under their breath as they left the office. 

When they had left the room, Dean looked at me and said, “Kevin, even though I don't believe in fighting, you are to be commended for your behavior. It takes a lot to stand up to bullies and protect people you don't know. Now, I also know you wanted to wait until this evening to meet your new roommates, but seeing as though you just save two of their behinds from those other three, you might as well meet them now. This is Isaac and Randall, or Rook as we call them. Guys, meet the newest tiger … Kevin.” 

Isaac walked over to me and threw his arms around me in a huge hug and said, “Thank you. I was afraid we were going to get beat pretty bad there. Welcome to the family.” 

After he let go of me I suddenly felt alone. I wanted him to keep hugging me. I had never felt like that before, and at first I was speechless. Next rook came up to me and did the same thing. He threw his arms around me and I swear from that moment on, I knew that I had brothers, and I would do anything to protect them. 

After we had been introduced, Mr. Davis looked at all of us and said, “You guys have already had a very busy day. Why don't you take the rest of today off, and we can start fresh again tomorrow, ok? And by the way, don't any of you ever let someone tell you that you are strange or not worth it. If you ever have any problems with anyone doing that here or anywhere else, you can always come and talk to me, ok?” 

All of us said OK and then Dean said, “Well, I guess this means it is four for milkshakes now isn't it?” 

This got me excited again because I love strawberry milkshakes. If someone would let me, I would drink them by the gallon. 

After that all of us left the office together and walked toward the car, and for me I was walking toward a new beginning, with my brothers and best friends. We just didn't know it yet.