The kid stared speechless for a moment then slouched in his chair. “Nah, it’s cool.”
“No. It’s not.” Garrett walked back to the front of the classroom. “I will not tolerate anything but respect in my classroom, and in my presence. Is that clear?”
Everyone nodded or mumbled the word “yes” under their breaths. Garrett was almost satisfied. He turned his attention to the kid one more time. “Apologize. First to Madison and then to your classmates.”
The kid swallowed. Clearly no one had ever made him take responsibility for his actions. Maybe this was the Texas Ranger in Garrett, or perhaps it was just the human being in him, but there was no way he was going to stand for anything like what he just witnessed. “Apologize now, or I make the call. Your choice.”
“I’m sorry,” the kid said, glaring at Garrett.
Garrett didn’t even know his name yet, but he knew it wasn’t a sincere apology. “And to Madison, please. Make me believe it this time.”
The kid sighed like Garrett had just asked him to run a mile after eating a dozen donuts. “I’m sorry, Madison.” He kept it short and to the point. Good enough for now.
“Okay,” Garrett said. “Now, as I was saying, I’m going to take attendance, so kindly respond when I call your name so that I may remember who you are as we will be spending the nextseveral weeks together, hopefully studying English literature and not basic human decency.”
Thankfully, the rest of the day went by without incident, but Garrett was only too happy when the last bell rang and he could finally get out of there.
It was time to go grab a few things for tomorrow’s barbecue, and then head home to Reese.
