002

Jenny’s breath caught in her throat. It was always like this. He had a knack for showing up at odd times when you too busy trying to tell students about the difference between a birch trees and maples. He wasn’t dangerous. It’s just that he was so wild. He didn’t fit in the modern world. Living out here all on his own on his land. She’d seen the run down shack he called home. She knew that there were different women staying with him each week. She even heard him say once that buried his money in glass pint jars all around land so “the gov’t wont git it.” And she believed him.

All of those things didn’t matter that much. Without him, Glenwood Elementary students would have nowhere to go to learn about the natural world. His undeveloped 100 acres were the most nature most of her students would see this year, but he wasn’t part of the lesson plan. His oddities could cause headaches. Please have a shirt on this time Jenny thought to herself, but she knew that he would be bare chested.  It was his way. Ok, at least let him be alone, or if his girlfriends are with him…let them have their shirts on.

A stray breeze rattled through the leaves brining her back to the moment. She turned around looked at the ten wide eyed 3^rd graders staring at the man up the path. Complete terrors 5 minutes ago, but now meager chicks. She felt a clammy hand grab hers for reassurance. Jenny turned on her confidence. “Student’s we have good fortune today. Mr. Indian Joe has come to say hello. Remember, be polite and don’t stare.”

She took a deep breath “Let’s not be shy. We need to say hi.” Squaring her shoulders she walked up the path to the man holding a shovel.

“Hello there Mr. Indian Joe! What luck to see you today.” Jenny pasted a smile onto her face.

“Didja take em by the swamp?” Indian Joe said as he lean against an old oak.

“Oh no sir. You asked us to stay away from that part. We just appreciate you letting us come learn about tree today. Isn’t that right students?”

Jenny saw a few mesmerized heads nod.

“Well, I come to tell ya to go past there on ya way back to the bus.” He flicked a twig out of his chest hair. “Da fall Turk Tiger Lillys are in full bloomin. You won’t neer forget the sight.”

“That sounds so nice.” Jenny said. Everything seemed to going well enough. She turned to her students. Can anyone tell Mr. Indian Joe about what you learned here today?” No one volunteered any answers.

When she turned back to apologize for their shyness, he was already walking around the bend. Too wild to stick around.