Solutions - 1. Chapter 1 - Solutions

"Alright you guys, that's enough. Get back in your seats and leave Chandler alone," I barked out as the kids on the bus were ganging up on their favorite target again. "Do it now, or I'll pull the bus over and we'll spend the next twenty minutes talking about this."

Reluctantly, the bullies returned to their seats, but it didn't completely stop what had been going on. "Keep your hands to yourself as well, and leave Chandler alone or we'll talk about this for the next half hour instead. I'll even contact the bus garage to inform them about what's going on, and I'll give them each of your names, so when your parents call to find out why you're late getting home, they'll know that you're to blame."

That was enough to get the bullies to stop for now, but I could never figure out why they liked to pick on Chandler. I wasn't only his bus driver, but I was also his next-door neighbor, and I'd always found him to be a polite boy who was eager to please.

I first met Chandler when he was four-years-old. He walked over from his yard and came right up to me as I was sitting on my porch replacing the electrical cord on a lamp.

"Whacha doin'?" he asked.

"Well, hello there. And who might you be?"

"I'm Chandler and I live right there," he said while pointing at his house.

"It’s nice to meet you, Chandler. I'm Bob Bell. I came out here to replace the cord on this lamp."

"Why? What's wrong with it?"

"The puppy chewed the cord, so I either had to replace it or throw the lamp away."

"You got a puppy?"

"Yes, I brought him home last weekend, and he's been causing a bit of mischief ever since and doing things like this."

"Can I play with him?"

"Sure! Maybe it will tire him out so he won't get into as much trouble for the rest of the day, but you’ll have to watch him closely, because he might try to run off."

"I won't let him do that."

"Ok, then I'll go get him."

I went into the house and brought the puppy out so Chandler could play with him. "Does he have a name?"

"Yes, I call him Sampson."

"He's cute. What kind of dog is he?"

"He's a husky."

"I like him."

“I can see that.”

The two of them hit it off, and Sampson chased Chandler when he ran, so I told him they could move into the backyard where they'd have more room. I followed behind, carrying my lamp so I could keep working on it while I kept an eye on them. It was fairly obvious that Sampson wasn't going to run off, because he was having too much fun playing with Chandler, and when Chandler stopped to rest, Sampson went up to him and licked his face.

"He's kissin' me!" Chandler squealed.

"I think he likes you."

"I like him too."

"You both seem to be very fond of each other, and you're welcome to come over to play with him whenever you want. I think he needs your kind of energy."

"Yeah, I like playin' with him."

That's how I came to know Chandler, and he became a constant visitor at my house. I also made sure to meet his parents, in order to make sure they didn't have any problems with this. After we got to know each other better, I even gave them a key to my house so Chandler could take Sampson for a walk when I wasn't there.

Those two have been constant companions ever since, and they've spent many hours together since that first day. Chandler became a teenager just before school started this year, and Sampson is middle age, but they are just as close as ever.

Knowing Chandler as I do made it difficult for me to understand why some of the kids liked to bully him. I wouldn't call him cute, but he’s not ugly either - just a fairly average-looking kid. He’s a little stocky, but not what I’d call fat, so I didn't see any of the typical features that kids might make fun of. That's why one day I decided to ask him.

"Chandler, why do those other boys pick on you?"

"Prolly cuz I'm not good at sports. They make fun of me in P.E. class cuz I can't do stuff like they do."

"I see. So, it's just that you're not good at physical activities?"

"And maybe cuz I like school too and get good grades. They always make fun of me when I raise my hand in class to ask a question or answer a question the teacher asked. They call me names, like teacher's pet, suck-up, and brown-noser."

"I see. Do they only call you those names in school?”

“No, sometimes they call me those names on the bus too.”

“And I always feel badly when I hear the other boys doing those things to you."

"You shouldn't, cuz they don't really bother me. I just pretend they're only jokin' and playin' with me."

"But how can you do that when they're being so mean to you?"

"I know I can't fight them, so I just pretend that I'm in my secret place."

"Secret place?"

"Yeah. I saw a TV show once that talked about alternate universes, so I just pretend I'm in one of them. My secret place is a world that’s identical to this one, ‘cept I'm the most popular boy there. That way, when those guys do that stuff to me, I just pretend they're only teasin' and playin' with me, instead of being mean."

"Even when they hit you?"

"They mostly just push me, and if they hit me it's not that hard, so it doesn’t really hurt. I think it makes them mad that I don't get upset or try doing something back, but so far none of them has really hurt me."

"Well, I hope it stays that way, and I'll do what I can to make sure it stops from happening on the bus. I hope the teachers are doing something similar to keep this from happening in class."

"Yeah, the teachers don't let them do that stuff either, but sometimes it happens when I’m in the hall or in the lunchroom, but somebody usually comes over to stop them."

"Ok, but I want you to let me know if it gets worse, because then I'll step in to help. When it comes to the boys on the bus, they all live around here and I know most of their parents, so the boys realize I'll speak to their moms and dads if they get carried away."

"Yeah, I know. I've heard them complain to each other that you live next door to me and know their parents. I think they would do even more if you lived somewhere else or didn't know their moms and dads, so it helps."

"Do they ever try doing anything to you when you're out walking Sampson?"

"They tried once, but Sampson growled, barked, and showed his teeth when they started pushin' me around, so they stopped and took off."

"That's good to know, and I'm glad Sampson is protecting you as well."

"Yeah, he's in my secret place too, and it makes me feel even safer when I go there, cuz I know nobody's goin' to hurt me with Sampson around."

“He likes you a lot and will probably do whatever it takes to protect you.”

Even though Chandler was attempting to assure me that the bullies weren’t hurting him, I knew the constant harassment must be leaving emotional scars, whether he wanted to admit it or not. I wished I could do even more to help and protect him, but I had no idea what that might be, which left me frustrated.

One day after I had finished my run and parked the bus at the bus garage, I started talking to the other drivers and asked if they were dealing with any similar issues.

“Yeah, I’ve been driving school buses for over twenty years and every year there are one or two kids that seem to enjoy picking on others. Sometimes it’s just name calling, but other times they get more physical and I do my best to stop it, at least while they’re on the bus.”

“I understand, and that’s what I’m dealing with, but I wish I could do more.”

“Didn’t you say this boy is your next-door neighbor?”

“Yes, I did.”

“I’m sure that helps to amplify the problem in your mind a bit, so it’s too bad you can’t find a way to use the fact that you are neighbors to help you solve the problem.”

The more I thought about what he’d said, the more I began to think he was right. Gradually, I began formulating an idea about how I might be able to do this, but I would need some more input before I could make it happen. With that in mind, I began talking to the other bus drivers that had routes that abutted with mine and asked each of them the same question.

“Do you have one particular boy on your route that seems to bear the brunt of the bullying?”

If they did, I would ask them follow-up questions about the boy and what the others were doing to him. When I was told about one particular boy that I felt might get along with Chandler, I began asking other questions.

“What’s the boy’s name, how old is he, and how is the boy handling what the bullies are doing to him?”

“His name is Nick Morenus, and I think he’s twelve. He’s really not handling the situation very well at all, because he’s often in tears when he’s getting off the bus. I was told that he tried to stand up to the bullies once and got beaten up pretty badly.”

“Did this happen on your bus?”

“No, it happened after I’d dropped him off at the bus stop one afternoon. I didn’t realize it at the time, but a couple of the bullies got off the bus with Nick and the other students who wait for me at that stop each morning, even though it wasn’t the bullies’ stop.”

“How was that situation handled? Did the school do anything about it?”

“No! They claimed they couldn’t do anything because it happened off of school grounds and didn’t take place on the bus either. I got written up, though, for allowing the bullies to get off at a stop other than their own.”

“That was a tough break for both you and the boy. Exactly where does this boy live, and if I give you a note for him, would you be willing to pass it along so he could give it to his parents?”

After he agreed to help, he told me some other information about the boy, and I went home to compose a letter to the boy’s parents.

‘Dear Mr. and Mrs. Morenus,

My name is Bob Bell and I’m a school bus driver, although not on your son’s route. I imagine you are already aware of this, but I understand that your son, Nick, has been having a problem with other boys picking on him, both on and off the bus. I have a boy on my bus route with a similar problem, and I was hoping I might be able to help your son and this other boy at the same time.

The boy on my bus who’s having this problem is Chandler Drake, and he’s also my next-door neighbor. I thought that since both boys attend Benjamin Bloom Middle School and are approximately the same age, I might have a way that the boys can help each other. If you’ll call me this evening at 555-678-0070, I’d like to explain my idea with you in more detail.

I hope you are agreeable with my proposal.

Thank you.

Bob Bell’

I had no idea how they might respond to my note, and I was afraid they would just call and tell me to mind my own business. I was more than a little nervous as I waited for the phone to ring, and when it did, my mouth went dry.

“Hello.”

“Is this Mr. Bell?”

“Yes, it is.”

“I’m Jeff Morenus and my son brought home the note that you asked his bus driver to give to him. This situation has been very rough on Nicky, and his mother and I are willing to listen to anyone who might be able to help.”

“I’m willing to do what I can and feel the best way to start is to have the boys meet. I’d also like to introduce you and your wife to Chandler’s parents at the same time, while I see how Chandler and Nick are getting along. If they appear to like each other, I’ll explain my idea to help eliminate the bullying problem for each of them, at least while on their way to school and on the way home. I believe Chandler might be able to offer your son a suggestion about how he can handle this situation at other times as well.”

“That would be wonderful, if it works. When would you like to do this?”

“I’ll have to speak with Chandler’s parents first, but I was thinking that Saturday afternoon would be a good time for us to get together.”

“That would be convenient for us, and my wife and I would like to thank you for what you’re trying to do.”

“It’s my pleasure, because I think it will help Chandler at the same time. I’m very fond of him and want to do all I can to help.”

Mr. Morenus then told me where they live, and we set up a time to meet, and then I went next door to speak with Chandler and his parents.

“Paul, Martha, and Chandler, I’m sorry to be bothering you like this, but I’ve learned about another boy who’s having similar problems to what Chandler has been dealing with. I think the two boys might be able to help each other, so I’m wondering if it would be ok with you if I took Chandler over to meet this boy on Saturday afternoon?”

“Yes, that would be fine.”

“What’s he like?” Chandler asked.

“I haven’t met him yet, but from what I’ve heard he’s a lot like you, although possibly a year younger.”

“That’s ok.”

“Paul and Martha, I’d also like the two of you to go with us so you can meet the other boy’s parents.”

“Ok, we can do that as well, and we want you to know that we appreciate everything you’ve done for Chandler so far. If meeting this other boy and his parents might help both Chandler and this other boy, then we’re willing to cooperate and we’ll do whatever we can.”

“Thank you and the three of you can just walk over to my place on Saturday, and I’ll drive all of us there.”

Now, I just had to plan what I was going to do and say.

Chandler and his parents came over to my house after lunch on Saturday, and I drove all of us over to meet Nick and his parents. When we arrived, we introduced ourselves first, and then Nick asked if he could show Chandler his bedroom while the rest of us were chatting.

“Certainly, that will be fine,” all four parents agreed.

Once they had gone, I began to speak.

“I know this won’t be a perfect solution, but it will alleviate the worst of both boys’ problems. What I’m proposing is this. I’m willing to pick the boys up in the morning and drive them to school in my car while I’m on my way to pick up my bus. I’ll also drive them home after I finish my run at the end of the day, so the boys won’t have to deal with the bullies on the bus.”

“But what will they do when they get to school, because I imagine it will be very early when they arrive there?” Mrs. Morenus asked. “Not only that, but what will they do while they’re waiting for you to pick them up so you can bring them home?”

“They can either wait outside in the morning or go to the gymnasium. That’s where all of the students that get to school early wait until they’re dismissed to go to their classrooms. If you’re agreeable, I’ll also talk to the principal about letting the boys wait in the cafeteria in the afternoon, and they can do their homework until I pick them up and bring them home.”

“Isn’t it possible that the bullies could still do the same things to them during either of those times as well?” Mr. Morenus followed.

“Yes, but the gym is supervised in the morning so there is someone there to prevent it from happening. Not only that, but since any such bullying would happen on school property, the school will be able to discipline the bullies. This means they’ll be able to hold the bullies in detention while Nick and Chandler are working in the cafeteria while waiting for me. The boys will also have each other, so they won’t be facing the problem alone.”

“Yes, that might work, especially if the boys hit it off.”

We chatted for a little while longer, and then Mrs. Morenus called the boys to join us. As they came rushing into the room, Nick answered the last question for us.

“I like Chandler. He’s really nice.”

“And Nick’s not good at sports either, and we both like science class, so we have a lot in common,” Chandler added.

“Then I guess that takes care of my only reservation,” Mr. Morenus stated with a chuckle.

“Would you mind if Nick joined us when we returned to my place?” I asked. “Chandler is very fond of my dog, Sampson, and I think Nick would enjoy spending time with both of them as well.”

“Yeah, I’ve been playin’ with Sampson since he was a puppy,” Chandler added.

“Can I go meet Sampson? Please?” Nick began to plead.

“Sure, I guess it wouldn’t hurt if you went over there for an hour,” his mom replied.

I told Mr. & Mrs. Morenus where I lived while the boys were celebrating, in order to be completely transparent, and when they finished, we said goodbye to them and we all went out to get in my car for the ride to my place. When we got there, the Drakes thanked me for doing this before they went home, and then Chandler and I escorted Nick inside to meet Sampson.

Sampson greeted us as we walked through the door, and Nick and Sampson seemed to take to one another almost immediately. Even though Nick didn’t share the same deep bond with Sampson that Chandler enjoyed, due to the fact that Chandler had known Sampson since he was a puppy, Nick and Sampson still got along amazingly well.

“You boys can take Sampson out to the backyard so you can play with him, if you want,” I offered.

“Yeah, let’s do that,” Nick quickly concurred.

The boys played with Sampson for nearly the entire hour, much to Sampson’s delight. Sampson would chase the boys around, and then the boys started throwing the tennis ball for Sampson to fetch. When they finished doing that, they all sat down on the grass and both boys began to pet Sampson, who seemed to be enjoying the dual attention.

While they were petting Sampson, I explained the same thing that I’d told their parents earlier. They seemed to be fine with the idea, and I hoped it would be the solution to their problems.

When I checked the time, I realized that I should be taking Nick home. I hated to break up the good time they were having with each other and Sampson, but I didn’t want to push it and create a problem with Nick’s parents either.

“I’m afraid we have to leave now, but there will be plenty of other times when you’ll be able to play with Sampson,” I told Nick, and then he and I went out to get in my car.

I didn’t take Chandler along, because this time I wanted a chance to speak with Nick alone. We’d just barely started out when I turned toward him and spoke.

“You seem to like Sampson.”

“Yeah, I do, and I really like Chandler too. When we was playin’, he told me about his secret place and that Sampson was there so he could protect us. He said you already know about his secret place, so I didn’t think he’d mind me tellin’ you this.”

“No, I’m sure he won’t,” I agreed. “So, are you ok with the things that I’ve discussed with your parents?”

“Ya mean about riding to school with ya and then you bringing me home later?”

“Yes, including either waiting outside or in the gym in the morning and in the cafeteria in the afternoon.”

“Yeah, that will be fine, cuz I’ll be with Chandler.”

“Good, then I’ll pick you up on Monday morning, so make sure you’re ready in time so you don’t make me late starting my bus run.”

“Ok, I’ll be ready,” he replied before I dropped him off.

We started our new arrangement bright and early on Monday morning, and it worked out better than I could ever have imagined. You may think that we’re only avoiding the problem by not having the boys ride the bus, but it was much more than that. It was the start of Chandler and Nick becoming lifelong friends, and it helped to end their feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Chandler also taught Nick how to utilize his secret place in order to prevent the bullies from getting to him in the future. That’s because no matter what they did or how much we wished the bullying would stop, unfortunately the two boys still had run-ins with the bullies from time to time. However, now they would merely go to their secret place in their minds and not let the bullies get under their skin. Of course, Sampson was also there to protect them, which made both boys feel even safer.

I continued driving the boys to school and then home until they graduated from high school. In the afternoon, Nick would stay at my place for a while so he and Chandler could play with Sampson before I took Nick home. Sampson lived a long life, but he passed away just before the boys left for college. We held a lovely funeral service for him, but he still roams around in their secret place and protects them whenever they encounter a new situation.

Both boys pursued their love of science and graduated from college. Chandler is now an engineer, while Nick is doing his best to save humanity by conducting medical research. Both boys still contact me several times each year, and they never forget my birthday in May, and they also call me at Christmas. I call them on their birthdays as well, and we all feel as if we’re one big happy family.

Although I like to think that I helped the boys the most, since it was my idea to bring them together so they would no longer have to face their problems alone, I knew I was merely deluding myself. In reality, it was actually Chandler telling Nick about his secret place and how it worked that did the most good.

They each still go there from time-to-time, whenever they’re stressed out or having a problem, and Sampson remains in their secret place to greet and protect them. However, they’re no longer just the most popular guys there, but they’re also the most successful, which is similar to their real lives. In fact, Chandler telling Nick about his secret place turned out to be a truly marvelous gift – one they still share.

THE END.