Relapse

“Maybe Tanner should step out into the hallway,” she says before getting up and walking around the desk to open the door. “Tanner,” she says expectantly, and he turns his head, his eyes meeting mine. There’s anger there that shocks me and I have to lean back for a second as I take him in.

He gets up from the seat and marches out of the office as the principal leans out to yell, “Mrs. Waynes, could you keep an eye on Tanner while I speak with his guardian.” She says it like a curse and I ball my fists, taking a breath as I keep my temper in control.

This is the best elementary school in the area, you can’t get Tanner kicked out because you decked the snobby ass principal.

I haven’t had the urge to hit someone so bad since the day I met Emmet and that doesn’t even compare to this. The looks and shady attitude I’ve received from the principal and the secretary since I got here is quickly pissing me off and it’s starting to make me wonder what kind of environment Tanner is in.

This is supposed to be an amazing school, but why have I felt uncomfortable since the second I walked in?

The principal sits back in her seat. “Tanner’s teacher thinks he’s acting out because he’s not coming from a good home environment and frankly I think I agree with her.”

My lips part slightly as I look at her in shock. “And on what basis can you make that statement?” I ask.

She holds a hand up as if to tell me to calm down and it’s insulting. “I looked over his chart and I see that his parents died and you’re just his aunt. I didn’t see anything about you having a spouse or any other individual helping you raise him and his sister, if I’m correct?”

I see red. “And since when does coming from a single parent household mean that you have a troubled home?” I manage to hold back the curses that want to leave my lips.

She holds that damn hand out again. “Ma’am, if you could calm down I would appreciate it. We do have an on campus officer and I’d hate to have to call him to escort you off the premises and I’d be left with no option but to expel Tanner from our school.”

I shake my head. “I don’t appreciate the way you’ve talked down to me and made assumptions since I walked in this office. Frankly, it’s degrading and considering the policies schools such as yours have against bullies, I’m surprised that a woman in charge such as yourself, would be one.” I can’t help the words that come out of my mouth and when the woman presses her lips together I know I’ve hit a nerve. “I’d hate to have to speak to the superintendent about my concerns.” Her face is not pleased but I don’t give a damn and I can tell she didn’t expect such a formal complaint. No, this bitch has been judging me since I walked in her door and I’ve seen it so many times in my life to know she expected me to get loud with her, to make a mockery of this whole thing before being forced off the campus. “And I hate to say it, since you yourself are a woman of color, but I can’t help to notice that the only thing you and your secretary, who turned her nose up at me, can judge me about is the color of my skin.” I shake my head. “Racial discrimination in a diverse school.”

“Ms. Hendersen-”

“Yeah, I think I’ll take this up with the school board. You’ve yet to even tell me what happened with Tanner today since you’re so busy telling me about how I’m a bad parent when you know nothing about me.” I keep my calm as I continue to politely read her her mother fucking rights. I watch as her body grows more and more tense.

“I’m sorry that you feel this way Ms. Hendersen and this is all just a misunderstanding,” she tries to backtrack.

I keep my mouth closed as I watch her nervously flip through that stupid little file.

“The commotion today seems to have started because another student cut in front of Tanner in the pencil line and his temper got the best of him.”

Bullshit.

“And where did you get this recount of events from?” I ask her, sitting up straighter in my seat.

“The other student-”

“And did you ask Tanner what happened?” I ask. Her lips part. That’s what I fucking thought. “I see. How long is he suspended?” I ask, knowing that I’ll only be able to get the real story from Tanner.

“Until Monday.”

I don’t even say anything about the ridiculousness of the suspension, just stand, gathering my things. “We’ll take that time to review the behavior of your school and whether or not he’ll be returning here since it seems he’s been picked out as a target,” I say. “Didn’t even get asked his version of events,” I mutter. “If you could have someone send that list that’s been kept from me the past couple of weeks to the email on file that’ll be nice.” I don’t even wait for a response as I leave her office and slam the door.

Tanner looks up from his seat. “Get up and come on,” I say lowly, balling my fists. I want to know what actually happened because I believe that the story the principal told is bullshit, but I’m still not happy about the other disturbances he had in class.

Have I been too lenient on him?

Too distracted to notice him acting differently?

I try not to think too hard on it as I pass by the gawking secretary and officer. Tanner follows me with his head down.

It’s silent as we get in the car.

When we get home he’s going to tell me what really happened.

I press down on the gas pedal as I zoom out of the school parking lot and my hands fidget on the wheel.

I need a fucking cigarette.