Earthman Jack vs. The Ghost Planet by Matthew Kadish Read Free Book Online Page A

witty, something endearing, something
that could possibly salvage a glimmer of good from a very bad situation, but
all he could think of was…
    “Well, that totally sucked…”
    Before Anna could respond, Mr. Harwood was towering over
them, looking down over his massive beer gut. 
    “Principal’s office,” he said.  “All of you.  Now.”

Chapter 5
    Principal Montgomery was an
exceptionally fat man, adorned in an ill-fitting navy blue suit and a
red-and-white tie with the ghosts of old mustard stains still haunting it.  He
stared at Jack, Anna, and J.C. from behind thick, boxy glasses, but it was hard
to tell if he was frowning since his entire mouth was almost completely covered
by a big, bushy moustache with wisps of gray poking out from the rest of the
light brown, tobacco-stained hairs.
    The three students were sitting in rather uncomfortable
chairs stationed in front of a large oak desk in the principal’s office. 
Behind him was a wide window that looked out over the school’s football field as
well as the cornfields of the Juniper Family Farm in the distance.  Principal
Montgomery’s chair creaked and complained as he rocked ever-so-slightly back
and forth and stared silently at the students before him.
    Jack was no stranger to getting into trouble in school, but
even he had never actually been to the principal’s office before.  Principal
Montgomery began to drum his fingers on his desk, which joined with the squeak
of his chair to create some type of haunting melody that Jack imagined might be
played as prisoners were sent before a firing squad.  Everything from the noise
the man was making, to the view out the window, to the faint smell of body odor
in the room set Jack’s teeth on edge. 
    A million and a half possibilities ran through Jack’s mind
concerning what kind of punishment Mr. Montgomery would dish out.  Worst case
scenario – Jack was suspended for fighting in school.  He could just imagine
having to explain to his mom why he’d gone from underachiever to full-on delinquent
in only the second year of his high school career.  Best case scenario, he was
in detention for the rest of his life.  And considering that detention would be
with his homeroom teacher Mr. Shepherd, suddenly getting suspended seemed like
the better of the two options.
    “So,” said Principal Montgomery, smacking his lips.  “One of
you want to tell me what happened?”
    Jack folded his arms and sunk lower into his seat, as if
hoping that would keep the principal from singling him out.  Anna was sitting
up straight, her hands folded in her lap and her eyes focused on something
other than the principal’s gaze.  Even J.C. seemed to be staring off into the
distance toward the football field, afraid to make eye contact with the man.
    “I’m told the three of you were involved in a fight in the
middle of the cafeteria,” Montgomery went on.  “Do I need to tell any of you
what the punishment is for fighting on school property?”
    Again, silence. 
    Principal Montgomery focused in on Anna.  “Ms. Shepherd?”
    Anna looked up and met the man’s gaze.  “Yes?” she
responded.
    “Perhaps you’d like to fill me in on why you three decided
to interrupt lunch time with a full out brawl?”
    “It was nothing, sir.  Just a big… misunderstanding,” she
said.
    “Misunderstanding, eh?” Montgomery mumbled as he scratched
his nose.  “Who started the fight?”
    Anna was silent for a moment.  “Honestly,” she said, “it all
happened so fast, I’m afraid I couldn’t tell you.”
    “And what about you, Mr. Finnegan?” asked Montgomery, turning
to Jack.  “Could you tell me who started the fight?”
    “Fight is such a strong word, sir,” said Jack.  “I’d say it
was more like… good-natured rough-housing.”
    “Whatever you call it,” said Montgomery, “tell me who
started it.”
    “I’ll tell you who didn’t start it,” replied Jack. “Anna.  I
don’t even know why