PLUM HOLLOW AUG ’86

“Hello, welcome, how can I help you?”

“Hello, I read what happened in the papers regarding Jason Blackburn.”

“Oh, what a mess that is. How can I help you?”

“I’d like to put my name forward to become Jason’s guardian.”

“Why would you want to do that? You know what he did.  Either way, that’s not how this works sir, but I can take down some information if you’re truly interested. We’ve put out a notice looking for any family or relatives. Are you related to the boy?”

“No, but I know there is no one else. I’d like to put my name forward.”

“I understand, sir. How do you know there’s no one else? This isn’t the appropriate place to submit this information. Once there is enough proof that there is no family that is willing to care for the boy, only then can you proceed with a formal request and put forward the correct paperwork for legal guardianship. It is very likely that he will become a ward of the state given the circumstances. There are also criminal proceedings—”

“Listen, I’m his teacher. Jason is in my grade two class. There is no one else. I know what happened. It’s all over the news, it’s everywhere online, and everyone in the town is talking about it. I can handle the task of caring for him. Jason belongs with someone like me. He belongs with someone like him.”

“…I’m sorry, sir? Give me a moment and I’ll call over the officer responsible for his case. Maybe it’s best you talk to him. He should only be a moment…”

“Hello, sir, my name is Officer Sullivan. Do you have information regarding Jason Blackburn and what happened earlier this week?”

“Yes, I do. I told the receptionist that I’d like to become Jason’s guardian.”

“I understand, but sir, do you have information about the crime that occurred? About what Jason did?”

“Yes. In a way. I do. Jason’s baby teeth were falling out. He was proud that they were falling out, and he would bring them to class to show me. A few weeks went by and I realized that Jason was missing a tooth that I hadn’t seen. I asked him why he hadn’t shown me that one. He didn’t answer. He didn’t make eye contact. Jason is a passionate kid, but his regular spark was missing. I asked why he’d been so quiet in class lately. He didn’t answer.

“The following week, he missed school and then returned the next day with no lunch and a bruise the size of a baseball along his jaw. I asked him what happened. He said nothing.

“I waited until the other kids cleared out of class and I told him all about dragon teeth.”

“I’m sorry, sir? Dragon teeth?”

“I told him the luckiest, bravest kids get dragon teeth instead of normal, adult teeth. I told him that dragons have big hearts like his, that need extra protecting. That’s why their teeth are sharper and stronger and longer than human teeth. When they settle in, they can bite through nearly anything. They can tear through flesh and bone with ease. Usually, a dragon about his age just needs to show his new teeth, and the threat will run away terrified. But I told him that if that doesn’t work, you need to bite. You need to bite down hard. I saw the news this morning. They warned viewers about the graphic images, but I knew it must’ve been carnage. I knew. They mentioned so much blood and the gash and the marks on the man’s neck. So I came here immediately. I thought it could only mean one thing…”

The teacher grinned from ear to ear, wildly, and the officer reached towards his holster, his hand shaking.