“Okay, this all started a few weeks ago when this young man by the name of Brian started…well, I guess he was trying to talk to Caitlin. He asked her to the prom I guess. When she showed her disinterest and told him no his feelings got hurt and he…well he started making unkind comments…”
“Mr. Lyon!” This time she had to put herself in harm’s way to keep me in the room.
“Move…” She took like five steps back from the look on my face.
“Nothing happened, we took care of it and like I said this all happened weeks ago.” She started talking fast now, but that shit was too late.
“Wait a minute, did you say prom? What prom?”
“The high school prom Colton, you had one remember, at this very school? Where you and your hoodlum friends made a mess of things and blasted that horrid music you were all into back then?” I didn’t admit shit back then and I’m not about to now all these years later.
“Anyhow, lately, that boy’s been getting sick. No one seems to know what’s going on with him but….”
“Spit it out lady.”
“We’re not sure but we think Catalina may have had something to do with it.”
I’m fucked if she didn’t; that’s my motherfucking kid. I’ll bet bank this lady didn’t have the first clue why I was smiling. “It’s not a laughing matter Mr. Lyon, this may have very serious repercussions…”
“Let me ask you this, how sure are you that my kid had something to do with this?”
“Well, we can’t be certain but… she was seen in the vicinity of the senior class lockers.”
“If I remember correctly she’s also a senior.”
“Yes that’s true, but the circumstances are a bit suspect. It seems somehow something got into his sports drink…”
“Did you, or anyone else see my daughter do some shit to this kid?”
“Well no but…”
“No buts lady, you people accuse my kid wrongfully that’s grounds for suing.” I got my ass ready to leave, “If that’s all you got…”
“There’s one other thing I’d like to discuss with you before you go.”
“And what’s that” I dropped back down on the chair.
“It’s about Caitlin.”
“Caitiebear? If you’re about to tell me some off colored shit about my daughter I know that you’re lying, my kid…”
“No-no, it’s nothing like that. Did you know that your daughter is exceptionally bright? She’s captain of the debate team, president of the student body and the math club and I understand she even finds time to volunteer at the children’s hospital while keeping up with her studies.”
“Yeah, that’s what her mother keeps telling me, so what’s your point?”
“No sir, I don’t think you quite get it. Your daughter’s intelligence and drive is not something that can just be cultivated in a high school classroom.”
“Are we talking about Caitlin or Catalina?” This lady actually jumped at Mengele’s name, like seriously, her body flinched like someone had goosed her.
“No, no, I know the difference trust me, but now that we’re on the subject. There are some very advanced places that are more than equipped to handle Catalina’s mind.” She took a folder from the desk drawer and tried passing it to me over the desk.
I just gave her a look. “Nice try lady but we’ve been all through this before.”
“Mr. Lyon, I know we’ve been here before, but this time I want you to really listen to me. Your children your daughters at any rate are extremely bright. Keeping them here is doing them a disservice. Now I let things slide with Caitlin before, but Catalina is another story.”
“You’ve trusted me and the teachers here to take care of your children’s education so please listen to me when I say that Catalina is wasted on a place like this. In here is a list of all the places that are more than willing to take her. One of them is not that far away a little less than an hour in fact.”
“This means she wouldn’t have to live away from home if that’s what you’re afraid of. I’ve already looked into it and collected all the information you may need. Please take it with you and have a look at it. You and your wife can take the summer to make your decision. They’re willing to take her anytime.”
She held out the folder again and I took it grudgingly. “We done?”
“What about Caitlin?” Greedy fuck you already won one victory today let that be enough.
“Look, I’ll think about what you said.” Fucking Kat probably put her up to this shit. They’re all in a hurry to send my kid away to some college a year early. Damn women.
I hoofed it outta there trying to beat the bell but I wasn’t quite fast enough because the shit started ringing before I cleared the door. I hadn’t driven the damn bus that we call a family van so there was no way to take all of them home with me and swear to fuck somebody’s gonna wanna plant their ass on the back of my ride, which would only start a war.