Valentine Surprise

We're in full swing with the FCAT writing test. The students have to take the writing test about a month before the reading, math, and science tests because it takes so long to grade, so this little mini-testing period is preview for the real deal. It's going ok, but it's so tedious to give to special kids. They get all the time in the world, and I can read them the questions on the multiple choice part if they ask for it, and most of them ask. Makes for a long few days.

I have a homebound student who is such because he broke his leg and has to say in bed most of the day. I went over to his house this afternoon to drop off some more school work and to give him the essay part of the test. He finished his test, so before I left I asked if he had anything to give to me to take so school. I was thinking something along the lines of schoolwork or assignments to be turned in. He told me he wanted me to give something to a girl. I was still pretty clueless, still thinking it would be some kind of book or homework or something. He gets out this big Valentine's day gift. He tells me to give it to Jani. I asked him what her last name was, just to be sure I was giving to the right person. He did a little headshake and said wistfully that he never knew her last name. At this point I'm already about to crack up, but to make sure I knew who he meant I asked him to tell me what she looks like. He said she's short. That's all. Just short. Like being out of school has made him forget what she looks like? I knew I had to leave right at that moment because I was about to burst out laughing!

All I know is tomorrow, I have to find this girl and deliver the gift, and I just hope that she has some kind of good reaction I can tell him about, and doesn't decide to act in the typical middle school way, which is to act too cool for everything. Even if she does that, I already decided I'm going to lie and say she liked it. He's going to be out of school for at least 4 more weeks, so this whole situation will be long forgotten. One little lie wouldn't be so bad, right? I mean, afterall, he is kind of gimpy. That's enough to deal with without an 8th grade broken heart.