Fire from the Rock by Sharon Draper Page A

brusquely. “Come with me.”
    Not now! Not in the middle of the most important conversation of my life ! But all she could say was a polite and sorrowful, “Yes, ma’am.”
    Sylvia turned to Lou Ann with a shrug, gave Reggie an apologetic smile, and helplessly followed the ample hips of Miss Washington out of the cafeteria. Her heart thudded as she tried to imagine what she possibly could have done wrong. Usually it was Calvin Cobbs who was called to task for acting silly or forgetting his homework.
    Maybe Sylvia had forgotten an important assignment in the confusion from last night. Gary’s injuries, which, of course, everybody in the colored community had heard about by now, turned out to be mostly cuts and bruises, but he would be out of school for a few days. Maybe Miss Washington wanted to ask her about Gary. She’d had him in class a couple of years ago.
    The voices of her friends echoed in the halls as they entered Miss Washington’s empty and silent classroom.
    â€œYou’re an excellent student, Miss Patterson,” Miss Washington said, looking directly at her.
    â€œThank you, ma’am,” she replied, a little surprised at the compliment. She felt like an ant under a magnifying glass.
    â€œHave you discussed with your parents the opportunity I offered the class yesterday?”
    â€œI didn’t really get the chance, ma’am,” Sylvia replied. “My brother, Gary, got into a little trouble last night, and Mama and Daddy were not in a mood to talk about Central High School.”
    â€œYes, I heard about that. Gary always has been volatile and impetuous, and I must admit that his behavior might work against you. But you, my dear, are steady, dependable, and capable of handling the social and emotional difficulties that would confront you. We want your name to be placed on the list.”
    Sylvia was overwhelmed. “Me?” she croaked. “I don’t think I’m brave enough for all that stuff.”
    â€œYes, you are. In addition, you have intelligence, which the boys who attacked your brother do not have. Bravery and brains will take you a very long way.”
    â€œBut it’s Gary who wants to be on the list, not me. Choose him instead of me, please.” Sylvia knew that Gary would kill for this chance, and they were offering it to her on a platter. He’d be furious when he found out—and hurt as well.
    Miss Washington softened and smiled a little. “You are just the type of young woman who is needed for this task, Sylvia Faye.” That was the first time she ever heard Miss Washington call a student by a first name.
    Sylvia had to sit down at one of the empty desks. “My parents will never let me.”
    â€œI’ll talk to them,” Miss Washington interrupted. “I know they will have strong reservations because of the incident with Gary. But we’ll see what happens. Go and finish your lunch now. And don’t mention this conversation to anyone yet.”
    â€œThank you, ma’am,” Sylvia whispered as she hurried out of the room. She stood there in the hallway, trembling with apprehension. When she got back to the empty lunchroom, which smelled faintly of old meat loaf, both Reggie and Lou Ann had gone to their next class. Sylvia had lost her appetite anyway.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1957—EVENING
    Sylvia knocked on Gary’s door and peeked in his room. On his dartboard he had taped of picture of Orval Faubus, governor of Arkansas, a man who had made it very clear he did not like Negroes. Several darts had perforated the newspaper cutout.
    â€œDoes that make you feel better?” Sylvia asked, pointing at the dartboard as she walked in.
    â€œNot really. But it gives me something to do for now,” Gary told her. He was stuck at home until he was fully healed. It wouldn’t be much longer. Most of the swelling had diminished considerably, and he only had a couple of Band-Aids