NINIE

Ninie went about his business and usually walked away from the usual taunts but the same couldn’t be said for Anna Maria and Geneva. Anna Maria was the most beautiful girl in school and all the other girls were jealous of her. All the boys wanted her attention but she wouldn’t give most of them the time of day. Jealous girls would always pick fights with her. Although she was the prettiest girl around they soon found she was one of the toughest as well. Years of horsing around with her brother and slightly older aunts had given her undue experience in taking care of herself and she easily beat the other girls.
Geneva on the other hand was just plain mean. She had her father’s chip on her shoulder and she didn’t take anything from anyone. Dr. Gianni seemed to favor her for her relentless fighting. She was small and had a quick temper like her father. She would jump into the middle of a fight just to fight. Ninie didn’t mind because it was so entertaining to see this half pint little sister beat up not just girls but boys as well. Most learned to steer clear of Geneva and made it a point of not picking on any of her siblings.
Recess! This is what Geneva lived for. All the kids were on the playground and she was the boss. Ninie saw her playing on the monkey bars with the other kids her age. Recess ended and they all went back to class. Ninie was sitting in class minding his own business when Mr. Ozier, the principal, came to the door and asked for him to step out of the room.
Ninie was surprised and feared he had done something wrong. Mr. Ozier noticed the apprehensive look on his face and assured Ninie he was not in any trouble. Mr. Ozier began walking Ninie to the front door as he put his arm around his shoulders and said, “Ninie, Geneva has been hurt on the monkey bars. It’s not bad but I need you to go home and ask your father to come to school for her.” Ninie replied, “Yes sir.” as he walked through the front door. Ninie ran all the way home and up the steps to his house. He burst through the door startling Dr. Gianni. He asked, “Son what’s wrong?” Ninie stated, “Mr. Ozier busted Geneva’s head and Mr. Ozier wants you to come to the school to take care of her.”
Dr. Gianni began running to the school. Mr. Salvagio saw him running and yelled, “Che cosa è errato (What is wrong)?” Dr. Gianni yelled back, “Mr. Ozier hurt Geneva!” Mr. Salvagio followed behind Dr. Gianni and Ninie back to the school.
Dr. Gianni, cool and calm walked through the doors to the administration office and asked where Geneva was. He and Ninie were led around the corner just outside of Mr. Ozier’s office where they found Geneva sitting in a chair where she was holding a towel soaked in blood to her head. Dr. Gianni told Ninie to stay with Geneva as he walked into Mr. Ozier’s office slamming the door behind him. Ninie was kneeling in front of Geneva assessing her injury as they both heard what sounded like someone being punched several times.
Mr. Salvagio decided now would be a good time to leave. Although there was no screaming the voices were loud and became silent when there was a loud crash as if someone was slammed into a wall. Dr. Gianni flung the door open and told Ninie and Geneva, “Come, we are going home.” The three left and Dr. Gianni tended to Geneva’s injuries once they arrived home.
The next day Ninie saw Mr. Ozier and noticed his face was swollen on one side and his eye was discolored. The following week, Ninie was again called to the office. He entered Mr. Ozier’s office and saw Geneva standing there again with a blood soaked towel. Mr. Ozier told Ninie, “I need you to go home and get your mother. Whatever you do, don’t get your father. Tell me you understand that I don’t want you to tell your father, okay?” Ninie understood Mr. Ozier did not want a repeat of last week so Ninie calmly walked in his house when he arrived home. He ensured his father was not around when he told his mother she was needed at school and that Mr.’ Ozier needed to talk to her. She had Ninie stay and watch the little ones still at home while she took care of the business at school without Dr. Gianni finding out.