The Adventures of Rank
Rank's New Friend
This was going to be an awful day. Rank knew that the science project was starting today. That really wasn’t the issue but Rank just hated the projects where kids were allowed to pair. Usually the teacher had to make someone be his partner. His part-time friend, Terry, was very popular and he was always grabbed up first. Rank didn’t really know anyone else. It would just be one of those awkward moments that Rank could live without.
After the morning routine was complete, the teacher immediately got down to business. “Okay class, pick your partners and I will explain your science assignment.”
Rank just sat tight. He didn’t even bother looking around the room for a partner nor did he bother to get out of his seat. He figured why waste the energy? He would sit and wait for the teacher to force someone to be his partner.
Needless to say, Rank was shocked and speechless when Terry came over and pulled a chair up next to him. Rank wanted to say something clever or funny or anything for that matte. But no, he just sat there dumbfounded. Most of the kids would be glad to have Terry as a partner so Rank was a little skeptical of the reason that Terry chose him.
The teacher gave instructions. Terry threw spit balls while Rank took notes. Rank didn’t mind. He actually thought it was kind of funny until the teacher caught him and told them they would be required to build a model as well as write a report considering they clearly had too much time. Rank didn’t think the spit balls were funny anymore.
Rank and Terry sat for the next hour trying to come up with a science project that wasn’t hard or lame. After the allotted time, they were no further figuring out what they were going to do then when Terry spit a huge ball into a girl’s hair. The teacher didn’t notice until the girl started screaming.
Terry walked home from school with Rank. They had to turn in their project title first thing in the morning. Rank suggested they stop by Mr. Jenkins house. Terry, for a popular and tough kid, looked petrified! Everyone knew Mr. Jenkins was a mean, ole grump. Rank just laughed. He knew Mr. Jenkins was just a big teddy bear.
Mr. Jenkins had seen Rank coming and was surprised when he saw another boy with him. Mr. Jenkins had come to think of Rank as his little buddy. He really did like the kid and felt sorry for him, too. But, this bringing a friend over, that was another story. A decision had to be made. He knew Rank really needed a friend but he didn’t want any more kids hanging around there. He liked his reputation as being rotten to the core.
As Rank and Terry climbed the steps to the front porch of Mr. Jenkins house, Rank noticed the sour look on Mr. Jenkins’ face. “Okay, this might have been a mistake,” thought Rank. Quickly, Rank thought of something and hoped Terry would go along with it.
“Hi. My friend and I have to come up with a science project, so we were thinking we could clean the creek up behind your house. Maybe we could show all of the junk in the water and find out how long each thing would take to disintegrate.” A smile barely showed on Mr. Jenkins and that was all Rank needed to see to know that it would be alright.
Terry and Rank headed for the backyard. The second they got to the bank, Terry shoved Rank in the water. Rank came up out of the water mad but quickly realized Terry was just fooling around. So, boys being boys, Rank grabbed Terry by the ankles and in came Terry. They wrestled and played in the water for the better part of an hour.
Both boys were muddy and disgusting by the time Mr. Jenkins came to check on them.
As Mr. Jenkins went to fetch his hose, the boys decided they better at least gather up some of the garbage in the creek. Quickly, they both started throwing the litter up on the bank when Rank spotted something small and shiny stuck in the mud hole.
Rank shouted for Terry. Both boys gazed and dreamed of what they saw. They were sure it was diamonds or even gold! They would be rich! Rank, thinking he saw it first, walked right over to the mud hole and stepped in. He reached, but as he touched the glittery piece of treasure, it sunk further into the mud. Rank stepped closer and reached again. Realizing he was sinking, he asked Terry to pull him out. Terry tugged and pulled but Rank kept sinking.
Rank was up to his waist in mud and sinking fast. Terry was struggling to get him out but Rank was sinking faster and faster. Rank was getting scared. “Get me out, hurry!” Rank yelled. “I’m going to get Mr. Jenkins, hang on!” Terry yelled as he waded out of the creek and took off in a dead run. “No, don’t leave me,” Rank pleaded but it was too late. Terry was gone.
Rank had no choice but to wait. He was scared to death and didn’t know what to do or try. He realized every time he moved though, he sunk further. So, to keep his mind off of the situation he started singing. He was a little on the tone-deaf side but he didn’t care. He sang his heart out.
It seemed like hours, but it was probably only minutes when Mr. Jenkins and Terry appeared. Rank was so relieved! Mr. Jenkins trudged in the creek with his hose in his hands. He instructed Rank to wrap the hose under his armpits. Rank did as he was told.
Mr. Jenkins and Terry pulled and pulled and finally Rank slowly started to move out of the mud. By the time they got Rank on the creek they were all exhausted. Quiet set in when all of the sudden, Mr. Jenkins went to the house only to return a minute later with a sheepish smile and let loose on the hose.
Apparently the water was quite cold based on the screams of the two boys! Mr. Jenkins didn’t stop though until the boys were somewhat clean. Soap was truly needed but the hose was doing the trick.
Terry was shocked when he saw Mr. Jenkins was belly laughing. He had never seen the man smile, much less laugh!
Over the next few weeks Rank and Terry became great friends and they got an A on their science project. Mr. Jenkins even learned to like Terry, which was the biggest surprise!
Life was starting to shape up for Rank and summer was only a month away. They boys were beginning to make plans for the summer and a lot of them included Mr. Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins didn’t always look thrilled but inwardly he was truly starting to enjoy the beginning of this new adventure.