“You said horrible things that you had no right to say.”
“If the shoe fits,” he said smugly.
Cecily’s scowl deepened. “You’re a coward, unlike my dad and all the other brave men who fought for our country.”
“Mark and Cecily, that’s enough.” The principal’s censure left no room from disobedience. “How did the food fight begin?”
“She shot me with ketchup.” The boy, now identified as Mark, pointed to his stained clothes.
“You deserved it, you ignorant buffoon.”
“Cecily,” Serena hissed. She’d never seen her daughter in this light.
“Quiet everyone.” Principal Monet leaned forward. “Why did you squirt Mark?”
“He told me my dad has the blood of thousands of innocent people on his hands.” She stared at the ground, and a red flush covered her cheeks. “So, I picked up a ketchup bottle and told him he had the blood of a thousand tomatoes on his.”
If the situation weren’t so serious, Serena would have laughed at the witty retort. She noticed Mark’s parents had been eerily quiet. She spared them a glance and saw them squirm in their seats, full of discomfort.
“Here’s the deal.” Principal Monet trained his gaze on both students. “Neither of you acted in a manner becoming of yourselves, nor did you meet the standards we expect at Oak Lane Junior High.” He turned his attention to Mark. “You are free to hold your own opinions, however, you are not free to be rude and disrespectful within these walls. Our school has a long history of supporting our military, and I would suggest you study in depth the valor of American men through history.”
Mark’s dad spoke up. “We’ve always taught our son that a pacifist way of life is best. There is nothing valiant about killing the innocent.”
“I will not debate you at this time because that wouldn’t be appropriate, however, this school will always support our troops. If you do not, all we ask is that you don’t be disrespectful to those who do. Mark knows this, as it’s not our first run in with his attitude.”
“He has the same rights as everyone else.” Mark’s dad was becoming a pain in the rear.
Serena could see from whom Mark had developed his unguided thoughts, but that didn’t give him the right to be a pretentious child who had no concept of what life in America would be like without the military.
Principal Monet scowled at Mark’s father. “Mr. Willis, this is a school with rules and regulations. No student will be allowed to taunt another.”
Lucas cleared his throat. “May I say something?”
“Go ahead.” The principal sat up straighter, and Serena thought she detected a hint of a smile on his face.
“I served thirteen years in the army, and yes, I killed people.” Lucas moved in front of her to where Mr. Willis had a clear view. “Never once did I enjoy it, and it haunts me to this day. I’ve had friends die in my arms but their deaths aren’t in vain because it means people like you still have the right to speak and believe what you want.” Lucas’s jaw tensed and he stared at Mr. Willis intently. “My daughter knows better than to act out of anger, and she’ll be dealt with, but at the heart of it, she was defending her father and the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have served honorably. Your son, however, was acting in a cruel manner. Is the military really the problem or parents who teach their children to be bullies?”
Mr. Willis shrank in his seat. He didn’t respond verbally but deepened his scowl.
Lucas returned to stand behind her chair, and she turned her head and smiled at him. Her chest burst with pride for the calm but firm manner in which he’d addressed Mr. Willis.
Principal Monet stood up. “I’d like to tell you my suggested course of disciplinary actions. If acceptable to the parents, that’s how we’ll proceed. If it’s not agreeable, then by authority I’ll assign one week of detention to Cecily and two weeks of in-school suspension to Mark.”
Mrs. Willis bristled and pointed a finger toward Cecily. “Why does that troublemaker get off easier than my son when she is the one who assaulted him?”
The principal took a deep breath. “Your son has a lengthy record, Mrs. Willis. If you would like, I can put his file on display for us all to see.”
“Our lawyers will be involved.”
“If that’s what you feel is necessary.” Principal Monet sighed, then addressed Cecily. “I believe a fair punishment would be for you to spend your study hall helping our cafeteria staff clean.”
“But that’s my library-” Serena cut Cecily short with a sharp glare. “That is fair.”
“Ms. Adams, Mr. Fontenot, is that agreeable to you?”
She glanced at Lucas as a courtesy, and he nodded then answered for them. “That’s fine by us.”
“I’ll let our cafeteria staff know to expect her starting Monday.” He turned his attention toward Mark and his family. “Mark, I’d like for you to arrive by seven-thirty every morning next week and help raise the flag.”
