Chapter 25 #3
“But it’s not enough. It’s never going to be enough, is it?” I lean forward, resting my head on Huxley’s thighs, wanting nothing more than to hide from all this bullshit. His fingers sink into my hair, and I force myself to focus on his touch.
“Probably not. Change is slow.”
“Too slow.” I sit up. “Look, you go Hux. I know you’re meeting Maddie. I’ll be fine.”
“I could cancel.”
“No, don’t. You haven’t seen her much lately. I think I need to be alone and calm down. I seem to be losing my temper a lot these days.” Rising to my feet, I cradle Huxley’s face in my hands and kiss him firmly.
“I’ll call you when I get home tonight,” he says, worry etched into his features.
“Okay. Go have a fun night with Maddie.”
We hug and kiss again, then Huxley leaves.
I plop back down on my chair and wait until my breathing levels out, then I return to the oval.
All the equipment is still there, and Jake and Troy are nowhere to be seen.
“Entitled little shits,” I mumble under my breath before I start the long task of packing everything away.
The following morning, it’s no surprise that it’s my turn to be summoned for a meeting with Williams. I send Huxley a text to let him know, and we arrange to meet in my office at lunch to discuss the outcome.
I’m a little calmer after spending an hour on a FaceTime call with Koa last night, updating him on everything including my fight with Reece, all this school bullshit, and most of all, my growing feelings for Huxley.
During morning classes, I waver on how to handle the situation with Williams. Part of me wants to let the old bastard have it, but the other half is hesitant, not wanting to risk getting fired or ruining my teaching career.
By the time I walk into the principal’s office and take a seat, I still haven’t decided.
“Thank you for coming in, Oliver. Now I don’t want this to turn into something bigger than it needs to be, but…
” Williams pauses, his jaw clenching. “I’ve received calls from both Jake and Troy’s fathers this morning and the boys seem to be under the impression they have been suspended from the senior football team.
I said that it must be a misunderstanding.
I assured them the boys would be playing in the first match tomorrow.
But perhaps you can shed some light on the situation for me. ”
I sit up a little straighter, ready for a fight.
“Well, sir, they have been removed from the team and won’t be playing tomorrow.
They were given a warning a few weeks ago for using offensive and discriminatory language, and they engaged in it again yesterday during class.
There’s no way I can reward bad behaviour, Mr. Williams. What sort of teacher would I be if I turned a blind eye?
” I don’t break eye contact, letting Williams know I’m not backing down.
“From what I hear, Oliver, the boys are just being typical boys and joking around with their mates. No harm done.”
“With all due respect, sir, calling someone the f-slur, or gay or pussy when the intention is to belittle and humiliate is no laughing matter.”
Williams is the first to look away, squirming at the word pussy.
“Oliver, I know I’m of an older generation, but, in my opinion, everyone is a tad too sensitive these days.
Boys need to harden up if they want to make it in this world.
” He leans forward, placing his hands on the desk.
“Now, I have assured Jake and Troy’s fathers that they are still on the team and will be playing.
They are our star players, and, as you know, likely to be drafted into the AFL.
Student success is key to our reputation.
You need them on your team, and the school needs them to win.
So simply let the boys know it was a misunderstanding. ”
I’m barely holding my shit together. Mentioning Williams’s connection to Jake’s father is on the tip of my tongue, but I know bringing it up will further inflame the situation.
However, I’m not willing to compromise my principles. “Mr. Williams, I will not. I am the coach and their teacher, and they will not be permitted to play on the team. There must be consequences for their behaviour. It is hardly Christian of them.”
His face turns a deep shade of red as he gets to his feet. “Do you honestly think you have any say in this decision, Mr. Turner?”
I stand, too. There’s nothing equal about this situation but at least I can gain the upper hand by physically towering over Williams. “I am the designated coach of the team, and I cannot compromise my ethical and moral values.”
“You’re making a terrible mistake Oliver, and I am very disappointed.
You leave me no choice. You will take three days of unpaid leave and place another teacher on coaching duties tomorrow for the match.
Perhaps the time away will help you decide if this job is important to you or not.
I’ll see you here next Wednesday morning with your decision. Good day, Mr. Turner.”
I blink twice, shocked it has come to this. Williams sits, eyes firmly back on his laptop screen.
I turn and leave. Part of me wants to pack up my things and resign. Give up. Let Williams and the Jakes and Bobs of this world win.
Hurrying down the corridor, I'm so lost in my thoughts that I almost knock Jennifer over. “Sorry Jen, I wasn’t looking.”
“Hey, what’s wrong?” she asks, gently patting my arm.
I drag my hand down my face. “Look, I shouldn’t talk about it. I’m in enough trouble.”
“What do you mean? Talk to me. Maybe I can help.” Jennifer leads me into an empty classroom and closes the door behind us.
“Okay,” I say, sighing heavily. “It all started when I heard Troy and Jake calling Huxley the f-slur in the change rooms. They lied about it, but I gave them a warning. Then yesterday they were being homophobic to Patrick during class. I told them off, but afterwards, as I was leaving, they referred to Huxley again with the f-slur. So I kicked them off the footy team.”
Jennifer’s eyes widen, her mouth dropping open. “They seriously said that?”
“Yep. And just now, Williams ordered me to put the boys back on the team. I refused, and I’ve been given three days unpaid leave to contemplate my position here. I’m not even allowed to coach tomorrow.”
“You cannot be serious. This is disgraceful. I’m so sorry this is happening to you, Oli. What will you do?”
“I don’t know,” I say, shaking my head. “I don’t want to get fired, and I don’t want to back down. I guess I’ve got until next Wednesday to make up my mind.”
The end of recess warning bell sounds.
“Look, let me think about it,” Jennifer says. “I’ll see if I can come up with some options because this is completely unfair and inappropriate.” She pauses, tilting her head. “Hang on, how did Williams know you’d kicked them off the team?”
“Both of the boys’ fathers called to complain. Apparently, Jake’s father and Williams go way back.”
Jennifer’s eyebrows shoot up into her hairline.
“Oh! Things just got interesting. Seriously, let me think on it. There must be a way to fight this. And call me if you need to talk. Oliver, we’re friends and I don’t want that one night to spoil it.
I miss spending time with you. I’m here if you need me, okay? ”
“Okay. Thanks Jen. I really appreciate it.”
We both race off in opposite directions, running late for class. I pull my phone from my pocket, using the voice-to-text feature so I don’t have to slow down.
Me: It’s not good. See you at lunch
Thirty seconds later, I receive a reply as I push through the gym doors.
Huxley: This is all my fault. I’m so sorry x
Me: Nothing to be sorry for. This is not your fault! xx