but what I’ll say is this:
your feelings about these
incidents are valid.
It’s not fair that you’ve been
made to feel this way.
My door is open
if you want to discuss
any of this further
and, as your head of year,
so is Mr. Ndour’s.
He and I will go away
and think about
what we can do
to better support you
because, hearing your stories,
I’m sure there are many more
students at this school
who feel the way you do
but haven’t had
the opportunity to tell us.”
Ms. Sarpong points up in the air,
like a cartoon lightbulb has come on:
“This would be completely voluntary—
it’s not another detention by any means—
but perhaps we could meet again,
one lunchtime next week,
to carry on this conversation?”
The Boys let her question linger,
before Nathan says, “Sure, miss.”
The other four shrug and say,
