by M. Evans
Mr. Peterson sunk in his seat, pushed one and muttered. "Christ help me."
After four rings, the phone was answered. "Good afternoon, and thank you for calling E&T Pharmaceutical Corporation. It's a wonderful day to start a healthy new life. This is Debra. How may I direct your call, please?"
He decided to just leave it as was and not fill her in that he had already called. "Good afternoon. Can you please transfer me to Ms. Randall's office, please?"
Déjà vu was on the verge of striking. "One moment please." There was a lot of typing and tapping and she came back on the line. "Can you tell me in a bit more specific detail which Ms. Randall you are trying to contact, please?"
He was ready this time and had a huge grin. "Yes, I'd like to speak with Ms. Karen Randall, please."
"Transferring ... please hold." Debra droned with the same amount of disinterest in her voice.
The phone rang again, and again, and eventually was picked up. Karen Randall answered. "Accounting department. This is Karen. How may I help you?"
Mr. Peterson let out a premature sigh of relief assuming this would be a cakewalk, and that this parent would be more rationally sound than Dr. Fox had been. "Yes, I am actually calling in regards to your daughter, Ellie. She was in a minor altercation at school today."
"She had a what? Who did you say this was?" Karen was still trying to get a row of numbers to sum up to what she needed, and was only half listening to the man.
He cleared his throat and spoke in a calm manner. "This is the Principal at Ellie's school Ms. Randall. She kicked a young man in his ... umm ... well, she kicked him in his privates."
Karen stood up at her desk, shaking her head, and pacing back and forth in the small cubicle. "Wait ... she kicked a boy in his privates? Is there a reason why she might have done something like this, Principal Peterson?"
"Well, we are still looking into that Ms. Randall."
"Oh, well, can you at least say if Ellie was injured in this altercation? Do I need to take her to a doctor?"
Mr. Peterson jumped in immediately. "No, no, no! She doesn't need any medical attention. She had an issue somehow with three boys and she and a friend decided to take it upon themselves to settle the matter on their own."
Karen's skepticism was growing with every word that came out of his mouth. "So why exactly was there an altercation? I don't understand what is going on, and I also don't understand why there's such a lack of detail except she and a friend of hers got in trouble. I'd like to know who this friend with her was! Are you trying to tell me that there were two girls beating up three boys!?"
Mr. Peterson was thinking maybe he should have waited for that smoke until after this phone call. If he'd have known what this day would turn out to be then he would have kept his happy ass home. "Well, to tell you the truth, she claims that the boys were harassing her. Shaun Fox stepped in to try and get her out of it and that's when an older boy stepped in and threw Shaun up against a set of lockers. From there the fight was really over before it could begin."
"So you're saying that she's claiming to be harassed!? Because I am sure you studied her school record to see she's always telling people she's being harassed and assaulting fellow students, right!? You also say that a boy stepped in--who is this boy we're speaking of? I mean, how does he fit into all of this?"
"I am in no way meaning for this to get out of blown out of proportion! I just wanted to let you know that you need to come to the school to collect Ellie before we can release her ... due to school policies."
"You can believe I'm coming! It's beyond me how two kids defending themselves are being detained at all! I am absolutely dumfounded at what logic you used to come up with your rhyme and reasoning! You can bet your sweet ass that I am on my way down to that school where you and I will be having one enlightening conversation on why I have to collect my daughter! You'd better pray she was not the only one punished for this, and I'm not talking about the boy who came to her rescue, because God forbid a young man has some moral fiber nowadays!" She slammed the phone down swearing words no one should hear. She had grown furious by the time she got to her car. There would be more than one very pissed off parent approaching the school today.
Mr. Peterson lowered the phone handset slowly, placing it back in its cradle. He looked at the clock thinking E&T was less than a half hour away, and Dr. Fox had a head start on Ms. Randall. If he hurried he knew he could run outside and grab one last smoke before the storm of consequence of the horrible decisions he had made that day began. He had no idea any of this could have happened when thinking how confident he'd been in his choices earlier. Perhaps he made an error in decision. He ran out to his car. As he chain smoked he watched the clock thinking that maybe rush hour would hit before he left.
****
The Principal ran outside to where Shaun and Ellie had been sat for the better part of a half hour. The sudden change in his demeanor blew their minds as he explained they would not be required to go to Saturday school and that he had been in error earlier. He apologized profusely and let them know further that Lucas Bunning and his two friends would be spending tomorrow in detention, they would be apologizing to Ellie in person, and would be attendants to the Saturday school program for the next two weeks. Both teenagers could not have been happier or more surprised.
Shaun asked. "What exactly did we do to have all charges--I mean accusations--dropped against us, sir? We haven't had anything to say in our defense."
Mr. Peterson cleared his throat and straightened his tie. "Well it was all because of you, Shaun. I just couldn't see how we could possibly punish you for stepping in and helping a friend. I think I might have overreacted and thought it best to set things straight before your parents arrived."
Shaun actually laughed out loud thinking what a great article this would make even though it'd never make it to the newspaper stands at school. He knew instantly that his dad had already spoken to him. "So, sir ... just curious ... did you have a chance to talk to Francis?"
Mr. Peterson did a double take. "You speak to your father by his first name? That's a bit peculiar...."
Shaun looked up at the Principal. "So he's on his way here, then? I bet he is. Strange he must not have physically threatened you. Good for you, Principal Peterson, that he must be in a good mood."
Mr. Peterson looked down at him. "Shaun, does your father have anger management issues? Do you need to confide in someone?"
"He doesn't threaten me, sir, but if you tick him off, then watch out! Did you know he was a paratrooper in the Army? He left to go to med school.... I can't believe you got him to leave work early! Oh, man!" Shaun shook his head way more animatedly than he needed to.
Ellie was smiling ear to ear. "Did you say my mom was on her way too? I can't believe that! She works more hours than anyone there, except maybe Shaun's dad. So you're letting us out of Saturday school because your judgment was wrong, and it has nothing to do with our parents coming here now?"
Mr. Peterson realized the questions would have no end and he didn't want to answer anymore, especially for two kids that he held partially responsible for taking his day right down the crapper. "I just want you two to please wait here outside my office so I can discuss things with your parents. I just wanted to let you know that this day wasn't intentional and we're not going to have any more issues in the future I hope."
Shaun felt the balance of power leaning towards him. "Well, we can hope in the future we won't have a reason to take matters into our own hands, knowing that you're here to protect us, sir." Mr. Peterson shook his head disappearing into his office and shutting the door. Cheap halogen lights silhouetted his frame through the smoked glass.
They continued waiting quietly looking at each other. Sharing a moment of triumph, Ellie punched Shaun on the shoulder. "You do know that the best thing for Mr. Peterson right now would be a pair of adult diapers--he is going to need them once our parents talk to him."
Shaun started laughing and it spread to
Ellie. They couldn't help themselves. From around the corner, Frank came marching towards them--the look on his face stern and fixed on his destination. Shaun choked on a laugh and stared straight at his dad. Frank came up in front of them and looked Shaun over. He saw the small cut on his forehead then crouched in front of him. "Shaun, are you okay? What the hell happened today? Seem like a good day for fight? I don't care what you were doing! You've got goals! You know what happens if you make trouble!"
Shaun could feel nothing but contempt for his dad. "Sorry, Francis," he taunted, "I just couldn't sit back and let my friend get harassed by a group of pricks. You'd rather me let her get picked on when she was just trying to get to her next class?"
Ellie smiled at his dad. "Hi! Isn't this awkward? I'm Shaun's partner-in-crime, Ellie. I just want to say he didn't start it. He tried getting me out of there without any incident but they threw him into a locker ... hence the battle scar."
Frank nodded. "Nice to finally meet you, Ellie. Thank you for explaining." He looked back at Shaun. "I'll talk to the Principal and then I'll drop you off at home."
Shaun shrugged. "I know how to get home. Don't you need to get back to work?"
His dad leaned in close to whisper in his ear. "She's cute--I get it. Watch your mouth, young man, unless you want your ass handed to you. I had to leave work to be here to bail you out of this mess."
His dad stood up, knocked on the door once loudly, and twisted the knob, barely giving it time to echo. Both teens instantly leaned an ear up against the smoked glass. The silhouette of his dad joined Mr. Peterson's in the office, and Shaun had a feeling there wouldn't be a lot of principal-parent interaction going forward. Their eavesdropping wasn't rewarded with much understandable conversation, but it was easy to see flailing arms and every so often they were confident they could hear some words that might have been classified in the school handbook as words you can't say ever.
A very attractive woman was power-walking with a purpose down the hallway towards them, her brown slimming business skirt suit and her long hair swaying from side to side with every step. She shared the same dark blonde hair that Ellie had obviously inherited, and similar but more mature facial features.
Ellie knew that her mom was above heated. "Oh, crap! That's my mom, and she's on a war path! Mr. Peterson's day is not going to improve any!"
Shaun nodded and realized he didn't really feel that bad about it. All of this could have been avoided if the Principal had been slower to judge and been more concerned about the entire student body. The man should worry less about ticking off some alumni by having a few varsity players ineligible to play one or two games because they were forced to learn lessons from bad decisions.
****
Frank was shaking his head walking back and forth in front of the Principal's cheap oak-effect desk. "...Altercation!? Really!? Let's just call it what it is, okay!? The kids got in a fight that Shaun didn't start, but he and Ellie finished it. Does that about sum it up, Peterson!?"
"Well, let me just start off by saying--"
A knock stopped both of them from speaking further and, as the door swung open, Frank took in a beautiful woman entering the office uninvited just as he had.
Mr. Peterson went to stand up but, when he saw Karen's fiery eyes, decided to sit back. He produced a sickly looking smile. "Er ... hello, Ms. Randall?"
Karen glared at him, but briefly lost her train of thought when she looked at Frank, pausing a moment to take his looks in. "I'm sorry," she managed, "but I'm going to have to interrupt." Frank nodded motioning with both hands that Peterson was all hers. Barely losing a beat, she continued, "Please enlighten me why it was wrong for my daughter to defend herself! How in God's name does that call for detention!?"
Frank took her in for a second, looking over the whole package again, and noticed her E&T work badge. He looked at the Principal wiggling anxiously in his seat. "Well, I guess we're both here to talk to you about that, Peterson."
It did not take any thought process at all for the Principal. He immediately recoiled, now fully regretting that he hadn't put more thought into his actions earlier in the day. He apologized for Frank and Karen having to come to school.
Frank continued, "I don't understand why it took you an entire day to see the error of your ways! You should have known immediately what to do in this case! You're the God damned Principal! I'm sure this type of behaviors happened previously during your years of experience!"
Karen just shook her head, listening to this man with such passion. She wondered if there was a Greek god in Adel, Iowa, that maybe he was standing in front of her own eyes. Turning her attention back to the matter at hand, she interjected, "So, what are you going to do here? I need an answer! I'm sure there's a lawsuit just around the corner for harassment!"
Frank hadn't even gotten that far and did a double take. Impressed, he joined in, "Well, Peterson? What are we going to do about this, then?"
Mr. Peterson felt like he was in a corner with two lions slowly walking in. "It is up to my discretion to make hundreds of decisions every day, but not every one of them will be without some misjudgment. Which is not in any way what I am admitting to, but I can assure you that I have already apologized to both students. I have told them that they will be able to make up any assignments with no grade loss and those responsible will be thoroughly punished."
Frank nodded. "So, additionally, you understand that neither of us would like to be bothered at work unless there is actually an issue. Am I making myself clear!?"
Mr. Peterson took a large deep breath clenching his teeth smiling. "Yes ... and again let me convey to you that this will not be an issue going forward. I appreciate you both leaving E&T to come down here to speak to me."
Karen looked at Frank and saw his E&T badge. "Well, what a small world!" She stood, straightened her suit, and headed for the door. Frank followed quickly behind and they both departed. Mr. Peterson collapsed back in his seat wishing there was a back door to his office.
The kids had given up trying to overhear and were making small chat until both parents exited. Unsure if they were in trouble, they did the perfect thing for teens to do: they sat up, shut up and waited to be spoken to. As the office door finally clicked closed, Ellie tried to wait but it wasn't in her DNA. "So, mom ... are we at least going to get to make any last requests or is it straight to the firing squad?"
Karen fought back a smile. Frank stared at Ellie then at Karen, and just kept staring at Karen, waiting for a response. He figured it wasn't his kid to tell not to be a smart ass.
Karen looked at Ellie. "Well, honey, believe it or not he came to a very quick conclusion deciding that you two aren't to blame?"
Shaun laughed before thinking about it and spat out, "Yeah, it was really quick! We spent all day in detention thinking we'd be in Saturday school."
Ellie looked shocked as Frank lifted Shaun to his feet by his sweatshirt. He flicked him lightly behind the ear and smiled at Karen. "Excuse my son--he is occasionally unfiltered. It's a work in progress, I assure you."
Shaun fought back a comment. "Sorry, Ms. Randall. I didn't mean anything by it."
Ellie pushed up off the chair and slid on her backpack. "So, are we free to go, mom?"
Frank, thinking quickly that he wasn't done talking to this beauty, tried, "Do you two kids have all the stuff you need?"
Shaun thought about it. "How? We've been in detention all day." Ellie nodded in agreement.
"So I'm going to take that as a no then." Frank checked his large, silver watch. "Why don't you two run and get what you need. I have to get back to the office and finish a few things up before I can call it a night." They scurried off toward their lockers and Shaun pulled at Ellie's sleeve. "Breaking news ... more work. What a shocker. Why not head right back? There's still daylight left."
As they headed down the corridor, before they disappeared around the corner, Shaun looked over his shoulder to see his dad leaning in towards Karen, his arm outstretched like a
man on the prowl. Karen was smiling back and Shaun was wondering to himself if his dad could make things any more awkward with Ellie. Shaun thought there was nothing like kicking a guy when he's down after being stuck in detention all day. He was in absolutely no rush to get a new mom and really hoped Ms. Randall wasn't a candidate.
****
Frank was flashing his largest smile asking what he already knew. "So, you work at E&T, Ms. Randall?"
Karen smiled brushing the hair from the side of her face. "Well, Dr. Fox, I work in accounting.... And please, call me Karen." She patted his shoulder playfully.
Frank smiled bigger at the touch. "I work in the research and development department. We're always trying to do something new for the company. And if I have to call you Karen, you need to call me Frank."
Karen read Frank's signs loud and clear. "Well, Frank, what are the chances of us meeting up for coffee later? You said you still had some work to do.... I'm going back myself after I drop Ellie off."
"I think your chances are pretty good. I'm in the west wing, lab 562. I'm almost always there, so I'm due for a break, right?"
Karen pulled out a notebook from her purse. She pulled a pen out of Frank's shirt making him suck in a deep breath sending chills down his spine. "Well when you're ready for that cup of joe, you call me at one of these numbers, Frank."
Frank smiled looking down at his feet and then back up. "You'll be hearing from me soon, Karen...."
****
Shaun and Ellie walked through the empty school halls enjoying their freedom. Shaun was contemplating the role of a dad in a teenager's life and was sure they were put on Earth to make a kid's life hell. He couldn't just continue to be a mediocre workaholic dad who was never around. No, he also had to be trying to make the girl he was crushing on his new stepsister. "I'll meet you back in a few minutes, Ellie. I just need to grab a couple books and journals from my locker."
Ellie smiled. She knew he kept a journal, and thought it was romantic in a way that he kept track of his thoughts and wasn't afraid to put them down on paper. She was thinking about starting one herself and was giving some thought about maybe how Greg Thompson would get a few pages devoted to it. She hurried with her stuff knowing her mom would be waiting and came up quickly behind Shaun at his locker. "What other kind of trouble do you think we could get into in an empty school?"