School Bus

Kenzie is in 4th grade and Michael is in 2nd. For the first time in their school days they do not have their Mama teaching at the school. So this year they get to ride the bus. They think it is an adventure.

I remember always having to ride the bus to school.The first bus driver I remember having was Clayton. I don't ever remember getting in trouble with him. Clayton was a Jr. or Sr. in high school when he got the job driving the bus. I think he did not have a drivers license at first and Daddy drove the bus for him for a day or two. This was a small bus more like a van. At one point the bus would not start properly and Clayton parked it on the hill going to Floyd's house. Then in the mornings he would walk down the road, give the bus a little shove, jump in and pop the clutch and it would start. This is just down the road from where Fleta lives now. Anyway one day the bus jumped out of gear and went rolling down the hill with no driver. As I remember the story Geraldine tried to stop the bus by getting in front of it. I'm sure she got out of the way in time to save herself but Uncle Floyd's chicken house was knocked off the foundation....

Our next bus driver was Mrs. Wise. She had a son the same age as Betty Jean. She was a strong Pentecostal woman and wore her hair rolled up on a piece of cotton the way they used to do...and she always wore a dress or skirt. That's about all I remember about her. I think it was a small bus she drove also. I'm sure Betty will remember. I think I was in 3rd grade then.

The next bus driver we had drove a full size bus. I can't think of his name but he was a nut! If he caught someone standing up while the bus was going he would slam on the breaks and try to knock you down. As I remember he spent most of his driving time looking in the rear view mirror. He also listened to the Radio and every morning or evening we heard the guy who always ended his broad cast with the very dramatic, "And now you know the rest of the story."..Paul Harvey was the radio announcer, I had almost forgotten his name also. When Paul Harvey was on he had the radio really loud. I am sure listening to him was the high point of his day. What was the drivers name? I am sure you remember, Betty.