The kids speak before he can finish.
“He told us to do it,” one blurts out, voice cracking.
“He said Owen needed to be taught a lesson,” another adds.
“I saw him grab Owen,” a third says, barely above a whisper. “He shoved him into the lockers.”
The room goes dead silent.
I don’t turn around. I don’t need to. I already know what my fist is about to do.
My hand slams onto the wall next to Toddy’s head, and he flinches. “You wanna put your fuckin’ hands on a kid?”
Principal Masters comes up next to Toddy. “We need to gather all the facts first.”
I turn and glare at him, eyes narrowed. “I’d be cautious how your next words come out of your mouth.”
He opens his mouth and shuts it, looking at Toddy. “If you did that, you’re done.”
Fucking small towns looking out for their own and not the kids. Perfect. Not on my watch.
“Call it in to Matthews. We’re filing a report,” I tell Bucky as he picks up his radio and requests law enforcement at Bridger Falls Middle School.
“I don’t think we need to go that far,” Principal Masters says, looking nervous.
Bucky folds his arms. “A child is hiding in a bathroom stall being abused while an administrator watches and encourages it, and puts their hands on a student, and you worry aboutoptics? Calling the sheriff isn’t going far enough. We’ll help you out and do the right thing for you since you can’t seem to.”
Coach Toddy attempts to inch away, and my other hand slaps on the other side of him. “Don’t fuckin’ move,” I bite out.
“I don’t know about you, but we’re mandated reporters. When we hear about abuse, we call it in. You aren’t doingyourjob,” Bucky says, glaring at Principal Masters.
“Tell me exactly what happened. Now,” I say, eerily quiet. I watch Toddy squirm, and my eyes narrow.
“Kid needs discipline,” Toddy mutters.
“Discipline,” I repeat quietly. “For what?”
Principal Masters sputters. “Should we call Owen’s parents?”
“He doesn’t have parents,” Toddy says snidely. “Just that sister of his and she can barely take care of him. Look at how he is.”
I lean into him and say, “Shut your fuckin’ mouth, or you’re going to be sweeping up your teeth from the floor of this locker room.”
“You can’t threaten me like this,” Toddy says, but looks around worried.
Bucky examines his fingernails. “We didn’t hear anything. And if you know what’s best, you didn’t either,” he says to Principal Masters.
Toddy juts up his chin. “Kid has a smart mouth. He’s just as trashy as his old man and sister. He needed to be taken down a peg or two.”
Principal Masters closes his eyes and says, “Effective immediately, you’re terminated.”
The door opens, and Sheriff Matthews rushes in, his eyes taking in the room.
“Thank God you’re here! These psychopaths threatenedme!” Toddy yells, looking at our crew and back at Sheriff Matthews.
“Sheriff,” I say with a nod. “Jeremy Toddy assaulted Owen Murphy, and we’ll be pressing charges. Owen’s in the hall and can give a statement.”
Sheriff Matthews looks around, and everyone nods, and he gapes at Toddy in disbelief. “You assaulted a student?”
