That Day
Ms. Renee Williamson
Waking up, lying still for a few minutes because when my feet hit the floor the day begins. Going through my mind about what Emory is going to wear and what I’m going to wear before sitting up in the bed. Once I’ve figured all that out, my mind shifts to what I need to do at school. I think about what lesson I prepared and making sure everything is scheduled to post on Google Classroom. I think about what do the girls need, or did I see everyone and check in with them. So many times their stories play over in my head, especially when I see my own children, family saying you ain’t gonna be nothing, you not going to succeed. Those words resonate in my head as I listen to their stories and remember struggling as a single mom, not knowing how I was going to make it day to day, but making sure the kids had the basic things needed for school. Always worried what people would think of me, if they knew I didn’t have a car, that I had to take public transportation and that I was living in a shelter, well here I am, two masters degrees, teaching US History, don’t tell me I can’t do something. I finally get up and get dressed, kiss Emory on the forehead and wake Destinee to tell her have a nice day, that her breakfast is in the microwave and that I love her.
I get into the car and drive to work thinking about my day, gospel music playing as I thank God for waking me up and my children. I start singing and pray all the way to work, “There is none like you, no one else can touch my heart like you, I can search for all eternity Lord, and find there is none like you.” Tears are streaming down my face as I sing, thinking about my best friend Cynthia, as we would sing this during praise and worship service. Then thinking about my son, because he loved to hear me sing and he would join in with me. I pull into the parking lot of the school, wiping my face and fanning my eyes with my hands, and saying to myself, “Get it together Renee.” I get it together as I enter the building to start my day. As the morning begins the students stop in to say good morning. I ask them how their night was and how they are feeling. The day goes on, teaching and listening throughout the day to the many stories and concerns of the students.
There is the bell, the end of the day, “WHEW,” finally, what a long day. I begin to gather my things and straighten up the desks and room so it is ready for the next day. A few minutes have passed since I like to wait for the hallways to clear before leaving. I turn out the lights and close my door. My mind is already thinking about what I have to do as I walk down the hallway, I have to pick up Emory, have to tutor and what is for dinner tonight. I say my goodbyes, I punch out and walk to my car. I open my back door and put my bag in and throw my phone in my bag and begin to close the door when suddenly POW POW pause POW POW POW, I stop for a second and then realize that is gunfire, my heart begins to race.
I start looking, trying to figure where the shots are coming from. All of a sudden children are running and screaming from across the street. I immediately, without thinking, close my door and began to run towards the building, yelling for students to get inside, still looking over my shoulder, not knowing what is going on. Students are crying, not wanting to go in the building because they can’t find their friends and cousins. I put my fear aside and continue to try and get as many students in the building. Finally we get as many in and the building is now on lockdown, no one in or out. My legs are shaking, I’m pacing back and forth, I can’t believe this is happening. I have only been in the high school for about two months, I’m thinking should I have stayed in the middle school, what the hell was I thinking, coming to the high school. People are making sure I am okay, tears are just streaming down my face and I am shaking. I realize I have to call my daughter to pick up Emory, because I don’t know how long we are going to be on lockdown, then I realize my phone is in my car in my bag. I look at my wrist and realize I can call her on my Apple Watch, but I’ve never called anyone on this, I figure it out and get her on the phone. My voice is shaking and she is trying to figure out what I am saying and if I am ok. After about an hour and a half the area has been secured and the police officers say we can leave the building now. As I walk outside, my eyes are looking around everyone, my heart is racing until I get to my car and sit and close the door. I begin to cry and thank God for allowing me to get out of this safely. It took me at least a half hour before I could start my car and begin to leave the parking lot. Once I got home I was so happy to see my kids and my grandson. I sat on my bed and just thought about everything that had happened, shaking my head saying LORD I THANK YOU!!!!