I’m not going to let my own issues with a hockey player stop my son from playing the sport he wants.
I shake my head, laughing at the universe’s sense of humor. “All right, bud, hockey it is.”
With a smile stretching his face ear to ear, we walk into the school hand in hand, and he drags me to his classroom as fast as he can.
Jack is digging in his cubby when his teacher, Ms. Jaime, goes over his recent behavior and schoolwork.
Her voice is sweet, almost like honey. But boy, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t full of judgment. “He’s a bright boy. And a great student.”
I can feel abutcoming.
“But”—there it is—“he just always seems distracted and acts out during lessons. And sometimes, he has a hard time listening. I thought maybe something could be going on at home?” She tilts her head to the side, pretending to be genuine.
I bite the inside of my cheek to refrain from snapping at his teacher. “No, nothing out of the ordinary is going on. I will talk to him about being more respectful during school. Is that all?” I sit back, squeezing my hands together, maybe a little too tight.
She sighs. “There is one more thing.” She pauses. “You’re aware of his friendship with Erick, right?”
“Yes,” I reply, wondering where in the hell this could be going.
“Okay, good. Well, I’ve been noticing little things between the two of them. They’ve been sharing snacks, and occasionally, I have caught them holding hands under their desks. Now, I know you’re a single mom.”
Oh, she’d better watch the next words that come out of her mouth.
She continues as I cut moon shapes into my palms, “But I think Jack could benefit from some masculinity. Maybe joining basketball or football?”
I swear I’m trying to be nice. But I have a really hard time when negative things are said about my son. Now, I didn’t know that he and Erick might have a little relationship, but why in the fuck does she think that it’s any of her concern?
Her tone of voice is about to meet my hand in five seconds.
She’s his teacher. She’s his teacher.
I look her dead in the eyes. Putting on my best customer-service voice, I say, “Ms. Jaime, thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. We actually just signed him up for hockey today.”
She sits back like she has accomplished what she wanted. “Oh good. I’m glad to see that he’s going to get some good boy time—outside of hisfriendshipwith Erick.” She says the wordfriendshiplike it’s poison.
I’m going to slap her.
“Oh, I didn’t finish.”
Her mouth drops open slightly.
“Jack will be in hockey, but that doesn’t change a damn thing about hisfriendshipwith Erick.” I stand up from my seat, looking down at her. “Let me make one thing clear with you, Ms. Jaime. I don’t give a flying fuck if my son kisses Erick in your classroom or confesses his love to him. I don’t give a fuck if my son wants to wear a skirt to school. He doesn’t own a skirt, but if he came home, wanting to, we would drive straight to the mall. And if anyone gave him a dirty look, I would say the same thing I’m about to say to you. Keep your judgmental-ass views away from my perfect son. His happiness isn’t hurting yours. So, leave it the fuck alone. And if you have any problems with that, we can continue this conversation with the principal and the school board. I’m sure they would love to hear all about it.” I turn and walk over to Jack, picking him up.
She finally rises from her seat, her face burning red. “Where do you think you’re going, Laura? We aren’t done here.”
I scoff at her. “I’m taking Jack dress shopping. I’d offer to grab you something, but I wouldn’t want to offend your delicate tastes.”
And with that, I escort my son to the office and check him out for a personal day. There is no way in hell I’m leaving him with that woman for another minute without talking with him.
I buckle him into his seat and then hop up next to him, still sitting in the school parking lot. “Jack, look at me.”
He turns, and his eyes are scared. But he stays quiet.
“Promise me one thing, okay?”
His bottom lip is quivering, mimicking the shakiness of his voice. “Okay.”
The stinging behind my eyes returns. “Promise me that no matter what anyone says or does, you will always be yourself.”
