Chapter 34
Holt
“What are the chances they’re going to tell us there’s nothing they can do?”
Gia grabs my arm from across the middle console and squeezes. “Unfortunately, we need to be prepared for that outcome.”
“What will we tell Leah?”
“That sometimes, the bullies in life don’t face consequences when they should. It sucks, and it’s not fair, but ultimately, we’re responsible for how we react to these types of situations.”
“I hate that I can’t fix it for her.”
“I know, Cowboy. But she’s strong. She knows how to hold her own and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself.”
The rest of the drive to the school passes in silence.
When I got an email asking to schedule a meeting with the principal about this issue, I was hopeful we’d finally have a resolution.
The more I’ve thought about it, the more my hope has dwindled.
They’re kindergarteners, and the teachers are already overloaded with tasks. What more can they really do?
I park by the entrance to the elementary school and take a moment to center myself. “Help me keep my cool in there? It won’t do any good getting angry at the principal.”
Gia’s smile is soft. “Of course. As long as you do the same to me. I’ve been known to get a bit heated when the people I love are mistreated.”
Gripping her chin, I pull Gia in for a quick kiss.
At least, that’s what I try for. When her plush lips meet mine, streaks of lightning bolt through me.
She’s the first to pull away. “Come on, Cowboy, or we’re going to be late.”
“Wait just a second.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I gotta get this situation under control first.” I throw a general wave at my crotch.
Gia drops her head back as she laughs.
“Don’t laugh at me. This is all your fault.”
“My fault?” she asks incredulously. “You started it.”
“If you weren’t so goddamn sexy, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.”
Her prideful grin makes her blue eyes sparkle. Shaking my head, I get out of my truck. The cool spring air helps to deflate things further, and I’m able to walk into the school without the risk of getting arrested.
Ever since Gia’s sister and her family visited a few weeks ago, she’s seemed even more settled into her life here.
We spend a lot of time together, but she also hangs out with Gwen and Farrah and has become a regular crochet club attendee.
At the last one, I got a picture of a dubious-looking ball of yarn that I think was supposed to be a hat.
I wouldn’t say she’s a totally different person from the one I had a one-night stand with all those months ago, but she no longer feels like she’s a step away from slipping through my fingers.
We stop short as we walk into the lobby of the elementary school office. Leah is sitting in one of the chairs with her arms crossed and a very pissed-off expression on her face. Farrah stands next to her, looking slightly less angry, although I think she’s trying to hide it from everyone.
Through the glass partition, I let the secretary know we’re here to see Principal Grant. She nods, lifting her desk phone to her ear.
When Leah clocks us, she races over for a hug. Her little arms tighten around me with a surprising amount of force. In the end, I lift her into my arms to hold her close.
“What’s going on, monkey?”
Leah whispers in my ear. “I made a mistake. I pushed Mason back ’cause he knocked me off the monkey bars. Mrs. Halbrand sawed me and made me go to the principal’s office.”
“Hmm. Okay, sweetheart. Thank you for telling me the truth.” Gia steps over to Farrah and starts talking quietly with her.
“Am I gonna get in trouble?” Leah asks.
“Well, you already know that getting pushed doesn’t feel good. Do you think pushing Mason was the right thing to do?”
“No, but I was just so frustrated. Mrs. Halbrand saw him knock me down this time. She didn’t get Mason in trouble, so I thought I should push him back to show him it doesn’t feel good.”
I frown. “Mrs. Halbrand saw Mason knock you off the monkey bars?”
“Yeah. I was gonna tell on Mason, but she was already looking at me.”
“Okay, monkey. We’ll get this sorted out.” Leah runs over to hug Gia after I set her down. I take the time to let my emotions settle before I say hello to Farrah. I quietly ask what’s going on, and Farrah shakes her head, obviously as frustrated by this situation as I am.
“Do you need to get back to your classroom?” I ask.
“No, I’ve got a teacher’s aide taking over right now. I think it’s important I stick around.”
Before I can ask why, the secretary calls us from the doorway. “Mr. Basil, Principal Grant is ready for you.” She leads Gia and me toward the back of the main office, where a dark mahogany door is propped open.
Principal Grant stands from her desk chair and comes around to shake my hand first and then Gia’s.
“Mr. Basil. Thank you for coming in.” Her smile is friendly, carving deep lines around her mouth and softening her sharp brown eyes.
Melanie Grant is a bit older than I am and very no-nonsense.
She was a teacher here for several years before she applied for the open vice principal position.
When the old principal retired, she stepped into the role.
I didn’t have strong feelings about her one way or the other before now.
Something tells me that’s going to change by the end of this.
“Of course. This is my partner, Gia Miller.”
Gia’s lips twitch into a smile when she glances at me before she smooths out her expression to shake hands with Principal Grant.
Using ‘partner’ might have been an odd choice, but I needed to ensure that the principal knew she’s more to me than just a girlfriend.
She’s someone I trust wholeheartedly with my girls, and Principal Grant should treat her the same.
We’re directed to sit in the visitor chairs in front of Melanie’s desk while she closes the door and settles in her office chair.
“Our meeting was fortuitous today,” she starts. “It seems we’ve had another incident between Leah and Mason that needs to be addressed.”
“Yes, Leah explained what happened before we came in. I noticed that Mason is not in here as well.”
“That’s correct. It would seem that Leah retaliated against Mason after he accidentally ran into her while playing.”
My mouth drops open. “He shoves a student off the monkey bars, and that’s considered an ‘accident’?”
“Mrs. Halbrand was questioned about the incident, and she described the series of events that led to Leah aggressively shoving another student to the ground.”
“While I’d agree that Leah pushing a student isn’t an acceptable response, I have a problem with how the multiple incidences with this same bully are being brushed off as if it’s not a big deal.”
“We take bullying very seriously here, Mr. Basil, but there’s been very little evidence of that behavior in any of the situations that have been reported.”
Gia scoffs. “If that were true, then why would they have been reported?”
“Miscommunications happen often at this age. They don’t fully understand how to talk with each other yet, so we have to make sure every student is being given the opportunity to tell their side of the story.”
Something comes over Gia’s face that I can’t quite describe. It’s a cross between anger, incredulity, and scheming. I might actually have to hold her back from taking things a step too far. Is it bad that I’m a little turned on by that?
Gia’s feelings come bubbling out. “So what you’re saying is that this little pissant gets to say his actions have all been ‘accidents,’ and when Leah finally gets tired of being pushed around, she’s the one getting punished. Is that right?”
“I don’t appreciate the language you’re using in reference to our students, Ms. Miller. But when we have a respected teacher telling us there was an accident, and Leah was physically aggressive in response, yes, we need to address that issue.”
Now it’s my turn for my emotions to get the better of me. “That’s a load of bullshit. Gina Halbrand has been a problem for many years. I can only imagine how many complaints have been filed about her. I know you’ve got a few from me from last year, and she wasn’t even Lauren’s teacher.”
“Again, I don’t appreciate the language, but I have to go with the evidence that’s been presented to me. The bottom line is, Leah purposefully pushed a student down, and we need to focus on that issue.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Gia shakes her head.
“Leah is the one being punished for telling the truth, and the other kid gets a pass for lying. Seems like a shitty way to run your school. All you’re going to do is encourage kids to hide their misdeeds instead of being honest. I’d rather my kid be upfront with me so we can discuss the correct response than to hide something she knows was a bad choice. ”
I want to throw my fist in the air and shout, “Yeah!” Somehow, I manage a nod instead. We’ll also be discussing the way she claimed Leah as her own kid later. Without our clothes on.
“Be that as it may, I have more than just one student to attend to here. If I don’t make a point, then it becomes chaos.”
“Except you’re making the wrong point.” I throw my hands out to the side. “Leah is the one getting in trouble for standing up for herself, while the student responsible for all this in the first place is getting a pass.”
“I can understand that you’re frustrated, but I have to do what I think is best to run this school. That’s the bottom line.”
“That’s a cop-out and you know it.” Gia stands. “I need to walk away now before I say something I might regret. It would be the truth, but I like trying to be a decent human being. I’ll take Leah to the truck, Holt.”
“I’ll be right behind you.” Gia leaves silence in her wake.
I stare at Melanie for a moment before I stand.
“I hope for your sake that nothing happens to my daughter because of this boy. He’s escalating, and I swear to god, if she gets injured, I will throw my entire weight behind a lawsuit against this school and you personally. ”
“Are you threatening me, Mr. Basil?”
“Nope. I’m making a promise. You’d best get your shit together and ensure you’re in the right here because I will rain hell down on this office if my daughter becomes a casualty because of your negligence.”