24. Presley
“The only person who smiles this much on a Monday morning is a person who got dicked down over the weekend.”
I smirk as I arrange the books on a display stand I’ve been working on. “I’m still not telling you about it.”
When I went to pick the kids up from Dominique’s house on Saturday morning, I refused to tell her anything that happened. Serves her right for sneaking around and plotting with the boys.
Dominique whines as she slumps into the chair behind my desk. “Come on. You can’t punish me forever. The reason you get to smile like that is because I told the boys to dick you down in the first place!”
“Okay, you’re not wrong there.” I hold up my index finger. “But you didn’t run it by me first, and you do not get to go behind my back and talk to the boys about said dicking.”
“Fine, I promise I’ll never do it again. Just please tell me what happened, I’m begging you.”
Glancing up at the clock on the wall above us, I shake my head. “I’ll call you tonight after the kids are asleep.”
She lets out a frustrated groan. “Fine. I suppose I can survive all day.”
I step back from the new book display. “Done. What do you think?”
Dominique’s eyebrows shoot up. “Wow, I didn’t even know we carried books like these in our library. This is amazing.”
“That’s the point.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Kids should know that they have access to books like these.”
The title of my display says, “All Families Look Different.” I picked out specific books that illustrate families with two moms or two dads; families that are from different countries or speak different languages; families with disabilities; and families that look like Avery and Alyssa’s, without a parent raising them, or with adoptive parents.
“I want the children in our school to know that being different is a good thing.” I lower myself into the chair beside Dominique. “Maybe if we promote more of that at the elementary level, kids won’t be so mean when they get to be Avery’s age.”
Dominique rubs my arm. “How has it been at school for him since the team paid them a visit?”
“Things seem to have calmed down. Avery said the bullies haven’t bothered with him or anyone else.”
“I hope it lasts.”
“You and me both.”
The bell rings, and Dominique scurries to her classroom while I head outside for my morning bus duty.
Wearing a shit-eating grin because I got dicked down this weekend.
“Ms. King, do you have a moment?”
I drop my car keys back into my purse and set it down on my desk. “Of course. Is everything okay?”
My boss, Principal Ware, gestures to the display I put up this morning. “Molly mentioned something about your new book display.”
I clench my jaw and fight against rolling my eyes. Molly is the PTO president, and the stereotypical “I act like I’m a kind, Jesus-loving Catholic, but I’m really just a judgmental bitch who quotes the Bible when it suits me” kind of parent. She talks about everyone behind their backs, and then smiles in their faces. I know this because I’ve been on the receiving end of her two-faced comments regarding my tattoos.
Imagine if Regina George became a mom—before she got hit by the bus .
“Oh?” I feign ignorance. “I’m so glad she liked it.”
I don’t miss the smile my boss tries to hide. “We both know how Molly can be, so I’ll cut to the chase: She doesn’t think some of your book choices are appropriate for the kids.”
My eyes flick to the book, My Two Moms . “Really? Which ones in particular?”
Principal Ware clears his throat. “The one with two moms, and the other with two dads.”
My eyebrows shoot up as I try to maintain my composure. “And why does she feel those are inappropriate? Gay marriage is legal, and even celebrated in the state of New Jersey.”
“Her issue is with the age of the students in our building. She thinks they’re too young to be exposed to this kind of topic.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “And what do you think?”
Because I don’t answer to Molly.
He heaves a sigh. “I think it’s a controversial topic.”
Great. A non-answer.
“So, are you telling me this because you’re asking me to take down the display, or...?”
“I’m not asking you to take it down, no. I’m letting you know so that you’re aware.” He grimaces. “I know Molly can be unpleasant to deal with.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “Thanks for the heads-up, Principal Ware. And for the record, there are students in this school with two mothers, and there might be others who are realizing at this young age that they’re gay, so I think it’s important to show our support.”
“I agree.”
“I’d also like to point out that our school carries these kinds of books—I didn’t bring them in from my own personal library.”
He chuckles. “You’re not on trial, Ms. King. I simply wanted to inform you before you heard something in the rumor mill.”
I nod, and stuff down my simmering anger. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.”
On the ride to pick up Avery and Alyssa from school, I call Dominique.
“What a little tattletale! I can’t believe she went to the principal,” Dominique’s voice blares through my Bluetooth speaker.
“Seriously, like don’t you have something more important to do?” I grip the steering wheel so hard, my knuckles turn white. “She’s killing my vibe. I was in such a good mood today; I was feeling hopeful.”
“Don’t let Miserable Molly kill your vibe. She’s not worth a second thought. She’s just jealous because she’s not getting any dick, and you’ve got two.”
I tip my head back as I laugh. “God forbid that woman finds out.”
“If she has anything to say about it, she can come talk to me. I’ll sort her out real quick.”
I smile at my best friend’s loyalty.
“You said you feel hopeful . Care to share with the rest of the class?” she asks.
Warmth spreads throughout my chest as I roll to a stop at the red light in front of me. “Chance said he’s ready to come out, and Stephen wants the three of us to be together—for real, like in a relationship.”
“That’s a big deal for Chance. I’m so happy to hear it.”
“Me too. He’s been through so much, and I’m really glad he’s finally embracing who he truly is.”
“And you know the kids love them. Shit, Alyssa looks at Stephen like he hung the moon, and Avery has really opened up with Chance around.”
“I know. They’ve been so great with the kids.” Tears sting the back of my eyes. “I want this so bad, Dom. It was so difficult to leave them, and now that they’re back in my life, I want to run full-speed into them.”
“That’s the best feeling. You deserve this, Pres. You deserve to be happy. You’ve sacrificed so much for those kids, and they deserve to see you happy too.”
“But then someone like Molly comes along.” I roll my eyes. “And all my fears resurface.”
Dominique sighs. “There’s always going to be a Molly. The world is filled with ignorant, stupid people. But you can’t worry about them. Surround yourself with people who love and support you, and enjoy your happiness.”
“I know you’re right.” I chew my bottom lip. “And if it were just me, I wouldn’t bat an eye. Molly can go fuck herself. But I have to think about the kids, and I want to make sure I’m doing right by them.”
“You’re showing them what acceptance and equality and human rights looks like.”
“But I’m also putting them into the line of fire when it comes to people’s ugly, hateful comments. I don’t want Avery to start getting bullied all over again, or have kids start giving Alyssa a hard time.”
She barks out a laugh. “You don’t have to worry about our girl. She’ll have no problem punching someone right in his mouth if he has anything to say.”
I smile. “Yes, but I don’t want to put her in that position to begin with.”
“I hear you. But you can’t shield them from everything. This is adversity, and it’ll make them stronger.”
“I hope you’re right.” I groan. “I wish my sister was alive so I could have her blessing with all of this.”
“Maybe your sister is the one who sent these boys back into your life. Ever think of that?”
I sit in silence while I contemplate the possibility. It’s a nice notion.
“The Lord works in mysterious ways. Just go ask Molly, and she’ll tell you all about it.”
I laugh loud and hard. “I love you, Dom.”
“Good, because you’re stuck with me.”