that the rest of the group passed them by.
“Oooh go on, sir, give her a kiss!” One of the students jeered as others wolf-whistled, earning themselves a glare.
She held her hand up and cupped her ear. “What’s that? Are you asking for a month’s detention when we get back, Mr. Carter…Mr. Hanks?” She scowled in the teenagers’ direction.
The boys cringed. “Erm…no, Mrs. Norton…sorry, Mrs. Norton.” They walked on.
“What is it, Jason?” She frowned when the students were out of earshot.
He looked hesitant. “I just…wanted to say that…well, it meant a lot to finally be able to explain things last night. I still feel guilty, but you helped such a lot. Thank you.”
“It’s fine. I think maybe I can move on now. You know, getting closure on this is a huge thing for me. I was angry at you for so long.”
He nodded. “I totally understand. Are you still coming to talk again tonight?”
“Oh…I…I don’t really think—”
“Please, come round. I’d like you to. I still feel like we have unfinished business.”
Taking no convincing at all, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll come around again.”
****
The huge wall with its colourful hand and foot holds loomed over them. Stevie gulped as her eyes trailed up, up, up. There were indentions and protrusions mimicking those of a real rock face. The kids stood in awed silence, craning their necks up to the top of the face. Some exchanged worried glances.
“Okay gang. Now listen up.” Jason’s voice boomed out around the clearing where the fake rock face stood. “This is a little more effort than this morning. And that’s why we do it this way around. You’ll need your wits about you, and you’ll need to believe in yourselves. You can do this. I know it may look daunting, but you will be very safe, so there is nothing to worry about. Listen to the instructions you’re given, and pay attention to any further instructions whilst you are on the ascent. But most of all…have fun!”
The students whooped and cheered their appreciation and set about collecting their helmets and harnesses from the wall’s staff members.
She watched as he instructed his group of kids on how to carry out the activity safely. She couldn’t help admiring once again how he dealt with the over eager teens. He was calm and authoritative whilst remaining approachable and friendly at the same time. He was so good at his job. She could see why he loved it so much too. Seeing the faces of these usually disinterested and often angry children light up was such a privilege.
An hour or so into the activity, she was chatting to Suzie, one of the wall’s staff, when a boy cried out. She ran over to see one of the students frozen half way up the wall. Corey Carter was usually the class joker and was known as a tough kid. Not now though. Now he looked terrified and so young. Her heart ached as she longed to help him. She watched as Jason attached his karabiner to the safety line and began to make his way with ease up the hundred-foot wall.
All the time he was climbing, he was calling out to Corey to keep his attention. He managed to make him laugh, which had all the other frightened-looking kids joining in. Stevie's heart swelled with pride. Her eyes were drawn to Jason’s muscles as he climbed with little effort. His calf muscles tensed and relaxed as his feet flexed and moved from one hold to another. His biceps bulged, expanding and contracting with each grip. Finally, he reached Corey and patted his shoulder, talking to him and eliciting a series of nods from the boy who had visibly begun to relax. She couldn’t hear what was being said, but it was evident that whatever it was Corey was gaining confidence. His whole demeanour changed. It was truly remarkable.
With assistance and support from Jason, Corey began to make his ascent again and was rewarded with cheers from both the ground and the top of the face, his peers encouraging him and willing him on. Tears
“Oooh go on, sir, give her a kiss!” One of the students jeered as others wolf-whistled, earning themselves a glare.
She held her hand up and cupped her ear. “What’s that? Are you asking for a month’s detention when we get back, Mr. Carter…Mr. Hanks?” She scowled in the teenagers’ direction.
The boys cringed. “Erm…no, Mrs. Norton…sorry, Mrs. Norton.” They walked on.
“What is it, Jason?” She frowned when the students were out of earshot.
He looked hesitant. “I just…wanted to say that…well, it meant a lot to finally be able to explain things last night. I still feel guilty, but you helped such a lot. Thank you.”
“It’s fine. I think maybe I can move on now. You know, getting closure on this is a huge thing for me. I was angry at you for so long.”
He nodded. “I totally understand. Are you still coming to talk again tonight?”
“Oh…I…I don’t really think—”
“Please, come round. I’d like you to. I still feel like we have unfinished business.”
Taking no convincing at all, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll come around again.”
****
The huge wall with its colourful hand and foot holds loomed over them. Stevie gulped as her eyes trailed up, up, up. There were indentions and protrusions mimicking those of a real rock face. The kids stood in awed silence, craning their necks up to the top of the face. Some exchanged worried glances.
“Okay gang. Now listen up.” Jason’s voice boomed out around the clearing where the fake rock face stood. “This is a little more effort than this morning. And that’s why we do it this way around. You’ll need your wits about you, and you’ll need to believe in yourselves. You can do this. I know it may look daunting, but you will be very safe, so there is nothing to worry about. Listen to the instructions you’re given, and pay attention to any further instructions whilst you are on the ascent. But most of all…have fun!”
The students whooped and cheered their appreciation and set about collecting their helmets and harnesses from the wall’s staff members.
She watched as he instructed his group of kids on how to carry out the activity safely. She couldn’t help admiring once again how he dealt with the over eager teens. He was calm and authoritative whilst remaining approachable and friendly at the same time. He was so good at his job. She could see why he loved it so much too. Seeing the faces of these usually disinterested and often angry children light up was such a privilege.
An hour or so into the activity, she was chatting to Suzie, one of the wall’s staff, when a boy cried out. She ran over to see one of the students frozen half way up the wall. Corey Carter was usually the class joker and was known as a tough kid. Not now though. Now he looked terrified and so young. Her heart ached as she longed to help him. She watched as Jason attached his karabiner to the safety line and began to make his way with ease up the hundred-foot wall.
All the time he was climbing, he was calling out to Corey to keep his attention. He managed to make him laugh, which had all the other frightened-looking kids joining in. Stevie's heart swelled with pride. Her eyes were drawn to Jason’s muscles as he climbed with little effort. His calf muscles tensed and relaxed as his feet flexed and moved from one hold to another. His biceps bulged, expanding and contracting with each grip. Finally, he reached Corey and patted his shoulder, talking to him and eliciting a series of nods from the boy who had visibly begun to relax. She couldn’t hear what was being said, but it was evident that whatever it was Corey was gaining confidence. His whole demeanour changed. It was truly remarkable.
With assistance and support from Jason, Corey began to make his ascent again and was rewarded with cheers from both the ground and the top of the face, his peers encouraging him and willing him on. Tears
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