One Crazy Night!

 

Many years ago, I worked for a principal who was going through a rough time and started to have a little drinking problem. I was in charge of the fourth-grade dance that year, which was being held at the school event center. My daughter happened to be in 4th grade at the time, so she was going to be there with me. We arrived early to set up the center and get things ready. The principal showed up looking a little rough around the edges. I kind of noticed he looked a little strange but there was so much going on, that I really didn't notice anything too bad.

Over the course of the evening, I kept seeing him go to the table and lean down like he was picking something up. The table had a huge red tablecloth on it and the principal kept picking it up. I walked over there and saw him drinking from a bottle of whiskey. By this time, he was getting pretty toasted. I tried to keep the parents away. For some reason, I felt like I had to protect him, but I was angry.

At the end of the night when most kids were picked up, we had to do the clean-up. The principal was quite drunk. My daughter said he was acting goofy. I just wanted to get out of there already! After cleaning up, my daughter and I walked out in the parking lot, ready to go home. The principal also was walking to his car. I knew that was a horrible idea and that I needed to stop him. I also knew that if I had to drive him home, the gossip would start. "Why did that teacher and principal drive home together?" "What's going on with them?" etc. But, of course, I couldn't let him kill himself or someone else. 

Luckily, as I approached the principal, the pastor of the church and school came out to the parking lot. He took one look at the principal and walked up to him. He told me to go home, that he would take care of him. I was never more relieved! After that night, the principal and I had a new understanding. I never said anything to anyone about it and I just sailed through the rest of the year. He eventually got the help that he so desperately needed. 

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