Walking into the cafeteria
Head hanging low
Knowing that someone
Might harass us

I look to see what food is being served
Chili
Minnijean loves it
So she gets in line
As I take my seat

Minnijean freezes
As we ease
Into the realization that there might be trouble
Two boys huddle
One stopping her in her tracks

We’re hoping
That she’s not coping
With what they’ve done
All I know is it’s bad

They slide a chair in front of her
We stand watching her
Knowing that we can’t do anything
In fear of starting a riot

They outnumber us quickly
Minnijean was trapped
Everyone quieted knowing what would happen next
She started talking back
Loudly
Knowing that was her last move
They jostled her around

I looked around frantically
Looking for an adult
Who I trusted
I could find no one

Tripping
Kicking
And calling names

Then suddenly
The chili flew
Falling on the two boys

A silence waved over the crowd
Everything froze
Then suddenly
Applause

She was hustled away