Before Roe could say anything, I said, “Let me handle this. Please go to your class.”
With the cover of other students passing by, his hand touched mine before he left.
I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I’d never had to dial before. I pressed the phone to my ear. It rang a few times until a lady answered, “Sullivan Kendry’s office. This is Lidia. How may I help you?”
“My name is Charlotte Kendry. May I speak to my grandfather, please?”
There was a pause. “One moment, please, Ms. Kendry.”
A few hours had passed since Principal Beaumont called Brandon and Oliver’s parents. Both sets of parents seemed to arrive at the same time and were escorted to the conference room in the administrative building where Principal Beaumont had Brandon, Oliver, and me sit. None of us talked the entire time. I mostly texted my guys, keeping them updated, while Brandon and Oliver held ice packs to their faces. The school nurse looked them over and said they were fine.
As soon as both mothers saw their sons, they immediately started fussing over their baby boys. The fathers demanded to know who was responsible.
“That would be me,” I said.
Principal Beaumont sighed and asked everyone to take a seat. It was a comical mess.
Sharon and Bill sat across the table from me, frowning. Oliver and his parents sat at the far end and Principal Beaumont sat to my left at the head of the table.
When we didn’t immediately start, Oliver’s parents questioned why.
“We’re waiting for Charlotte’s parent to arrive,” Principal Beaumontsaid.
“Bethany?” Sharon asked, sounding pleased.
“No,” I replied simply.
Not even a minute later, JJ walked in, wearing a very expensive suit and holding a briefcase. Everyone in the room but me was confused.
“May I help you?” Principal Beaumont asked.
“My name is Jayden Johnson. I’m here in Sullivan Kendry’s stead, as he is not presently in town,” JJ said as he made his way around the table.
At the mention of my grandfather, there was an audible intake of breath from Oliver’s parents. Oliver’s father looked at me. “You’re Charlotte Kendry?”
“I am.”
His eyes widened slightly before he gave Oliver a stern look. The weight of that look from his father made Oliver stare down at the table.
JJ pulled out the chair next to me, unbuttoned the front of his sport coat, and sat down. “May I ask all of your names?” JJ pulled out a legal pad and a pen. ”I was given instruction to get every single name in this room.”
Oliver’s father stood. “I don’t know what happened and I’m very sorry, Ms. Kendry, for whatever my son did.” He looked to his son and seethed, “Apologize. Right now.”
“But—”
“Right now!” his father bellowed.
“I’m sorry,” Oliver quickly said.
“I don’t think I need to explain what will happen if you retaliate toward me or toward Roe,” I said. My warning was for Oliver as much as his parents.
“There will be no retaliation of any sort. I’ll make sure of it,” Oliver’s father said.
“Then you may go,” I said.
Oliver and his parents quickly got up and walked out.
“Excuse me,” Principal Beaumont protested, but no one acknowledged him.
