"Scotty. I need to see you after class." Scotty made a face but when school was over he lingered behind and met Mr. Price at his desk. The teacher was big like a football player. His slight Afro was dotted with grey and his light brown eyes were friendly yet firm.
The teacher searched his student's eyes and then held up a paper with a big red C marked on it.
"What in the hell is this Scotty?"
Scotty peered at the paper. "That's the test we did last Friday."
Mr. Price rolled his eyes. "I know that! What I'm asking is why didn't you answer all of the questions?"
Scotty met the teacher's eyes wondering why people asked questions that they already knew the answers to. In fact, why did people always have to talk? He liked when he was able to find moments of calm because everything in his life moved rapidly and required quick thinking to avoid unnecessary strife.
"Scotty you answered just enough questions to pull a C," Mr. Price continued when Scotty didn't respond.
"I know."
Mr. Price gave him an incredulous look. "But you could have pulled an A! Every question you answered you answered correctly. If you had finished this test you would have pulled a sure A. And Scotty, I know you had time to complete the rest of the test because I saw you finish long before most people did!"
"Because all I need is a C average in this class."
"What are you talking about Scotty? We're in the beginning of the school year. Are you telling me that you'll never do more than what you need to do in order to get a C in this class?"
Scotty took a moment to consider his words. He liked Mr. Price who talked to them on the real and not like they were a bunch of thugs. He respected that. He met his teacher's eyes. "Mr. Price I'm not going to college. In two years I plan to drop out-"
Mr. Price's eyes widened. "You have this all figured out at fourteen? Scotty the world can change for you by the time you're sixteen. You're … you're really smart. You took the Walnut Hills test but you didn't do well—not bad but not good."
Scotty looked at him in surprise. That had been two years ago. What was he doing checking on things that had happened back then when he wasn't even his teacher?
Mr. Price nodded. "Yeah I checked. You didn't answer all of the questions in each category. Some thought you ran out of time. But you just answered enough to get by, am I right?"
There he goes asking questions that he already knows the answer to.
The Walnut Hills test that Mr. Price was referring to was a specialized test for children in the Cincinnati Public School District. It was used to select children with above average scores to attend the college preparatory high school.
Mr. Price cocked an eye at the teen. "What I'm beginning to put together is that you cheated on the Walnut Hills test. A boy as dumb as you couldn't have answered nearly every question that he even bothered to answer as well as you did."
Scotty gave him a half smile. "Reverse psychology doesn't work on me Mr. Price. You know I didn't cheat. Why would I bother when all I care about is doing enough to get by?"
Mr. Price was not impressed by the kid's attitude. "I could strangle you, you fucking idiot!" Scotty's clenched his teeth but didn't otherwise react to the insult. "I want you to take the test again."
Now it was Scotty's turn to frown. "Why would I do that? I'm not going to Walnut Hills High School Mr. Price-"
"And that's your decision to make if you're even offered an opportunity to go. But I want you to take the test again and this time do the very best that you can."
He shook his head. "No," Scotty said flatly.
"Why?!"
"Because I don't have to." Scotty responded, his voice bordering on insolence.
Mr. Price sat back in his chair and regarded Scotty. "I'm going to fail your ass. I don't care if you pull your straight Cs. I don't care if you drop the occasional A. I'm going to fail you Scotty Tremont."
Scotty shook his head and suddenly he felt old and very tired. "I was planning to drop out at sixteen anyway. You'll just make me do it sooner." He turned to leave but Mr. Price stopped him.
"Shit. Scotty, wait!"
The boy turned.
"I'll pay you, okay?" Mr. Price stated.
The teen finally appeared interested. "How much?"
"Twenty bucks," Mr. Price sighed.
"Fifty."
"Fifty?!"
"Fifty." Mr. Price hesitated and Scotty left the room. "Okay! Fifty." Mr. Price cursed under his breath but Scotty poked his head back into the room.
"Okay. When?"
"Now. I have the answers and I can have the results tomorrow morning."
Scotty re-entered the room. "And what if I have to go straight home after school?"
"Then I would wonder why I always see you hanging with your buddies after school." Scotty raised a brow at that. "Besides, if you do it now then I would know that there's no way for you to cheat because you wouldn't have had time to prepare."
"Yeah, but I also wouldn't have time to study."
"It's only arithmetic and reading. What do you need to study?" He held up the test paper with its bright red C marked in an angry scribble in the upper corner. "You passed this with flying colors. Guess what Scotty, it wasn't the same test that your classmates took." Scotty gave him a surprised look. "Yep. I slipped you an advanced math test." The boy searched his teacher's face for a lie but only saw triumph.
Scotty nodded in defeat. Yeah, Mr. Price got one over on him.
"Fine. Let's do this then Mr. Price. But I want to see the money first."
"Little dude, do you really think that I carry fifty dollars around in my pocket while at this school?"
"We'll have to do it tomorrow then. And don't worry I won't cheat. You can stand there and watch me."
"Damn, you don't trust anybody, do you?"
What another dumb question. Scotty just left.