The Wave

"But you're supposed to be learning history," Mrs Saunders argued. "Not how to be part of a group."

"Well, you know," her husband said, "this country was built by people who were part of a group — the Pilgrims, the Founding Fathers. 1 don't think it's wrong for Laurie to be learning how to co-operate. If I could get some more co-operation down at the plant instead of this constant back-biting and bickering and everyone trying to cover his own you-know-what, we wouldn't be behind in production this year."

"I didn't say that it was wrong to co-operate," Mrs Saunders replied. "But still, people have to do things in their own way. You talk about the greatness of this country and you're talking about people who weren't afraid to act as individuals."

"Mom, I really think you're taking this the wrong way," Laurie said. "Mr Ross has just found a way to get everybody involved. And we're still doing our homework. It's not like we've forgotten about history."

But her mother was not to be appeased. "That's all very well and good. But it just doesn't sound like the right thing for you, Laurie. Babe, we've raised you to be an individual."

Laurie's father turned to his wife. "Midge, don't you think you're taking all this a little too seriously? A little bit of community spirit is a terrific thing for these kids."

"That's right, Mom," Laurie said, smiling. "Haven't you always said that I was a little too independent?"

Mrs Saunders was not amused. "Honey, just remember that the popular thing is not always the right thing."

Oh, Mom," Laurie said, annoyed that her mother would not see her side of the argument at all. "Either you're being stubborn or you just don't understand this at all."

"Really, Midge," Mr Saunders said. "I'm sure Laurie's history teacher knows exactly what he's doing. I don't see why you should make this into a big deal."

"You don't think it's dangerous to allow a teacher to manipulate students like that?" Mrs Saunders asked her husband.

"Mr Ross isn't manipulating us," Laurie said. "He's one of my best teachers. He knows what he's doing and, as far as I'm concerned, what he's doing is for the class's good. I wish some of my other teachers were as interesting."

Laurie's mother seemed ready to keep arguing, but her husband changed the subject. "Where's David tonight?" he asked. "Isn't he coming over?" David often came over in the evening, usually on the pretence of studying with Laurie. But inevitably he'd wind up in the den with Mr Saunders talking about sports or engineering. Since David hoped to study engineering just as Mr Saunders had, they had lots to talk about. Mr Saunders had also played high school football. Mrs Saunders had once told Laurie that it was surely a match made in heaven.

Laurie shook her head. "He's home studying tomorrow's history assignment."

Mr Saunders looked surprised. "David studying? Now there's something to be concerned about."

Because Ben and Christy Ross both taught full time at the high school, they had grown accustomed to sharing many of the after-school chores around their house — cooking, cleaning, and running errands. That afternoon Christy had to take her car to the garage to get the exhaust replaced, so Ben had agreed that he'd cook. But after that history class he felt too preoccupied to bother cooking. Instead he stopped at the Chinese take-away place on the way home and picked up some egg-rolls and egg foo yung.

When Christy got home around dinnertime, she found the table not covered with plates for dinner, but with books, again. Looking over the brown paper take-away bags on the kitchen counter, she asked, "You call this dinner?"

Ben looked up from the table. "I'm sorry, Chris. I'm just so preoccupied with this class. And I've got so much to do to prepare for it, I didn't want to take time to cook."

Christy nodded. It wasn't as if he did this every time it was his turn to cook. She could forgive him this time. She started unpacking the food. "So how is your experi­ment going, Dr Frankenstein? Have your monsters turned on you yet?"

"On the contrary," her husband replied. "Most of them are actually turning into human beings!"

"You don't say," said Christy.

"I happen to know that they're all keeping up on their reading," Ben said. "Some of them are even reading ahead. It's as if they suddenly love being prepared for class."

"Or they're suddenly afraid of being unprepared," his wife observed.

But Ben ignored her comment. "No, I really think they've improved. At least, they're behaving better."

Christy shook her head. "These can't be the same kids I have for music."

"I'm telling you," her husband said, "it's amazing how much more they like you when you make decisions for them."

"Sure, it means less work for them. They don't have to think for themselves," Christy said. "But now stop reading and clear some of those books away so we can eat."