“The coaches are out of town.” He probably wouldn’t have gone anyway.
“Ahh.” Patting his shoulder, Billson backed away and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Coach Yancy has been contacting all your teachers, asking what has to be done to raise your grades.”
CJ didn’t care.
“As I see it, it’s the bare minimum.”
The words surprised CJ and his gaze flew to the teacher’s.
“You were a very good student. You still are in my class since you turn in your notes and observations through your portal. Above and beyond what’s expected ofyou, Mr. Caldwell.”
“I-I don’t understand.”
“I’m almost certain you do,” Billson retorted. “Let me ask you a question. Do you honestly think your teachers would fail you given who your parents are?”
“Lumbly did,” CJ mumbled.
“And he’s no longer with us as a result.”
CJ started.
“He left without a goodbye to any of us.”
Oh.
“As long as you put in the bare minimum, you will be fine.”
“That isn’t fair to the other students.”
“Life isn’t fair, Mr. Caldwell. You have incredible resources at your beck and call. Use them.”
“Are my brothers, cousins, and sister passing because they’ve learned something or because they have special dispensation?”
“Are they you?”
“What?”
“Forget I said that.” He nodded to the table. “You don’t have long to help her, so she can pass this class.”
Annoyance took away CJ’s reticence, but he gritted his teeth and swallowed what he wanted to say.
“No response to that?”
“So you can send me to the principal’s office? No thank you.”
A small smile tipped Billson’s mouth and he folded his arms. “When I was hired, your name came up.”
“I didn’t realize I was such a legend. That’s my dad’s department. Who, as I’ve been repeatedly reminded, I am not.”
“You shouldn’t want to be. The elder Mr. Caldwell has lived his life, carved out his own reputation beyond these walls. But you? Here? You were the legend. I was told you were the BMoC. Star quarterback. Star pupil. Sharp comebacks. Engaging conversations. The one who’d keep his younger brothers in line. An all-around leader and a fine young man.”
“I have a sister…sisters.”
“One Miss Caldwell is a force to be reckoned with. The other Miss Caldwell is a newborn. My point is, Mr. Caldwell, where is that student?”
“Obviously no longer the Big Man on Campus.”
“You’ve all but dropped out of school.”
