THE ANGELS OF SAINT ELIZABETH'S

THE ANGELS OF SAINT ELIZABETH'S

ANDREW J. ROFFERS

This is a wonderful story about teenagers coping with the challenge of growing up in an ever-demanding society. Fourteen-year-old Arnie Zablitski resorts to foolish, and sometimes-stupid pranks to get attention. He wants to be 'cool' on campus, but can't comprehend how Sister Emma, and Father Shanahan, always seems to be one jump ahead of him. Coping with self-humiliation, and embarrassment, he changes course and strives for academic, and athletic achievement. With hard work and determination, Arnie achieves the recognition he has strived for. His last day of school turns out to be the happiest day of his life.

About The Author

Andrew J. Roffers is a skilled writer. He draws on his vast archive of personal experiences to chronicle a tale of teenage confusion, growing pains, and the challenge of youth. The author skillfully captures the nostalgia and sentiment of a by-gone ERA. This is a wonderful little book by a gifted writer. Read it!

e-BOOK

Maverick Publishing

HOUSTON, TEXAS

The

ANGELS

SAINT ELIZABETH'S

ANDREW J. ROFFERS

e-Book 2002

www.mittymax.com

THE ANGELS OF SAINT ELIZABETH'S

J. ROFFERS

It was 7:00 PM. on the eve of a new school year. Arnie Zablitski sat in his chair and watched television with his older brother Rich. Arnie was entering his last year at St Elizabeth's Catholic grade school, but like any young American kid he hated to say goodbye to summer vacation. The days of swimming, baseball, hanging around the local park, and staying up late were over. Arnie liked school about as much as a trip to the dentist, but a phone call from his friend Mark Dawson changed his outlook, "Hey Arnie," "great news, we're not going to have Sister Catherine for our teacher," "really"! "Great!" Arnie yelled jubilantly; "where is she going"? "Some big school back east." "Who's going to be our teacher Mark"? "Are you ready Arnie?" "Sister Mary Emma." Arnie broke out in hysterics. "That old geezer? Great, two years in a row." Arnie cheered, "that's great, how do you know this Mark?" "My mom told me."

"Well I think it's going to be a fun year after all," Arnie said.

"See you tomorrow". Mark said. The two boys hung up.

The next morning Arnie woke up at 6:30 AM. For breakfast, he was about to dive into his bowl of Cheerios when his mother walked into the kitchen with her sons supplies, 3 folders, note paper, pens and pencils. "My baby's first day in the eighth grade."

"Thanks mom," "Arnie grumbled thru a mouthful of cereal as his older brothers Rich, and Mike came down for breakfast too.

Rich was starting his junior year in high school and Michael was beginning his first year in college. Both boys were less than excited about starting to school again.

Michael was worried bout trigonometry, and Rich was kicking himself for taking geometry and chemistry in the same year. The boys joked about their teachers.

Rich talked about Mr. Galrager, the man who was going to have Rich's geometry class. "He has this long nose and skinny face with a butch haircut and a mole on his right cheek, and has a very raspy voice."

His brothers battered intently as Rich continued his story. Arnie spoke of his teacher Sister Mary Emma, "She's a very old woman and as nice as a grandmother, but her hearing isn't to good." "You can get away with murder in her class," Arnie said overconfidently.

"Yah!" "Well ya sure didn't last year after ya put that fake pile of dog-do on her chair," Mike interrupted. "She called Mom and Dad and ya really got into trouble."

"Ya!" "Ya!" Arnie said impatiently and embarrassed, as he tried to continue. "She's always clearing her throat like this, "Aaaahim." "Aaaahim," Arnie hunched over in his chair like an elderly woman and began to imitate Sister Emma, much to the amusement of his brothers.

"Ya!" "It should be a good year if the old crow doesn't have the big one by Christmas or something," Arnie joked.

"Arnie your rides here."

"Okay mom in a second." Arnie grabbed his school supplies and jacket.

"Have a good day Arnie," said his mother as she kissed him on the cheek.

"Thanks mom." "Bye Mike." "See ya Rich," Arnie said as he went out the door.

"Mrs. Maleske who had a son named Curt in Arnie's class picked him up. There were two other boys in the car pool named Tom and Jeremy Stiles. Tom was a short talkative young man with long straight hair and a pointy nose. Jeremy was taller with curly hair, and very shy. Jeremy wore thick glasses and always had his face in a book or trying to fix something. The boys weren't excited about starting a new year at St. Elizabeth's, but were delighted about what teacher they were going to have.

"I wonder if were going to be able to getaway with as much now with Sister Emma as principal and our teacher too," Curt Maleske said.

"Aaaahim." "Aaaahim." "Aaaahim," Arnie said as the other boys laughed.

They rode a few blocks and turned onto a quiet rode surrounded by pine trees. The boys could see the church steeple.

"Well there it is," Arnie said quietly.

"Yah," the other boys said glumly.

Mrs. Maleske drove another two blocks and turned left into the parking lot. The school was a large, two story building with a gymnasium, and the church was next to it.

"Good luck boys, I'll see you at noon," Mrs. Maleske said as the boys piled out of the car.

"Thanks a lot Mrs. Maleske," the boys said in unison.

Arnie, Tom and Mrs. Maleske's son Curt, walked into the building.

Jeremy went across the hall and into the Seventh Grade classroom.

St. Elizabeth's student body consisted of about 300 students. The upper grades Fifth through Eighth,' were on the first floor, the lower grades First through Forth, were on the second floor.

The Eighth Grade students sat at their desks and talked until the bell rang, and Sister Emma walked in. She was a short, wrinkled old woman with gray hair, and wire rimmed glasses.

"Good morning class," she said in a quiet weak voice.

"Good morning Sister Emma," the students replied in a loud sarcastic tone. The kids stood up straight at their desks wearing their school uniforms: white shirts, with black ties, and black trousers. There were 28 students; 16 boys, and 12 girls nestled in a very small classroom. It had two large black boards, a bookshelf in the back of the room, and three coat racks for the students to hang their jackets.

They opened the class with the pledge of allegiance, a Hail Mary, and an Our Father.

The students spent the first two hours sorting their books, and organizing their desks.

"Mr. Zablitski I think I'll keep a close eye on you." "I don't want to find another surprise on my chair this year." The class broke out laughing as Arnie looked embarrassed with his fingers full of tape, and his books on the floor.

"That's right Arnie!" Arnie's fair weathered friend Jim Granger blurted.

Arnie a little angry turned around, " I'm not going to have anymore trouble with you am I Jim?" "Alright boys simmer down" Sister Emma interfered. Jim Granger was a tall fat young man with long red hair and freckles; he had no friends in the class except Arnie, who didn't have the heart to stop being friends with him. Jim had an unhappy home life and took it out on a lot of other kids in the class, mainly Arnie. Whom, not an angel himself but a very kind young man. After watching a film on the John the Baptist and a spelling bee, it was time to go home, Mrs. Maleske was waiting outside in the car for the boys. "Well how was your first day boys"? Mrs. Maleske asked. "It was alright ma", ya know that fatso Jim Granger back", "Curt" "that's not nice". "His mother blurted. The years in the eighth grade for that kid". "He can be learning in three months." Tom laughed "ya" "and he's the only kid" "I know who got a 0% on a religion test". Arnie said. The boys laughed and Arnie said "I shouldn't really say any thing bad about him," "after all", "he's my friend". '~Ya" "you're his only friend". Tom said "I don't understand why you are friends with him Arnie? "All that jerk does is make fun of you and take advantage of ya," "that's my problem Tom." "If ya get to know him he's not that bad. "Arnie said. Tom shook his head," Arnie sometimes I wonder about you. "Mrs. Maleske dropped Arnie off, " Thank you very much for the ride Mrs. Maleske," "sure Arnie" "bye" "bye "bye Arnie," the rest of the boys said. Arnie opened the door to his house and walked in noticing no one was home he quickly walked into the kitchen to raid the cookie jar, be was about ready to jam his fourth chocolate chip cookie in his mouth, when his mother snuck up on him, "caught ya," she said loudly. Startled, Arnie replied, "Oh, hi Mom,"

"Well how was your first day Arn?"

"Well you know how it is mom, " "getting all those books, finding a desk," getting to know those clowns from St. Elizabeth's again." "Arnie "just kidding mom", "I guess it went all right" "Do you have any homework"? His mother asked"

"No", Sister Emma was in a good mood. "I hope she's the same tomorrow"

"Well just behave yourself this year Arnie," his mother lectured. "I don't want anymore complaints about throwing spitballs in girls hair, or fighting. or F's in conduct."

"Okay mom don't worry."

"I mean it Arnie' "his mother pointed her finger.

"Okay Arnie said.

The next morning before school Arnie bumped into Jim Granger before school in the laboratory. "Arnie, come here, I've got something to show you." Jim reached into his pocket and pulled out a few packages of firecrackers. "We'll sneak back here later in the morning and light'em off," he whispered.

Arnie smiled. "All right."

The class was working on some arithmetic problems. Jim Granger raised his hand. "Sister Emma can I go to the washroom?"

Arnie raised his hand "Sister Emma can I go to the washroom too, "I really have to go," Arnie said with a grunt.

"All right," Sister Emma said reluctantly. Arnie quickly walked out of the classroom and met Jim inside the washroom; Jim pulled out a lighter and had Arnie open the window. Jim and Arnie began dropping the firecrackers out of the window; one of them exploded so loudly it vibrated.

"Ooooo, "incoming," Arnie chuckled! Jim dropped another out the window, this one exploded even louder. Mr. Anthony the school janitor came up from behind them as the boys looked out the window.

"What are you little punks up to?" he snorted."

Oh." "Nothing Sir," Arnie said as the two boys stuffed the rest of the firecrackers into their pockets.

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