Chapter 228

Chapter 6 – Pat Lawson (November 24th 2014) 'Mr. Lawson, this is The Hill School calling about your son Benjamin...' After ending the call I went straight to the closest grabbing my shoes and jacket, "Pat where are you going? What's wrong? Is it Oakley?" Sarah came out from the back with her parents concern in her voice as well as her features. I just shook my head, "It's Ben, his school called asked me to come in-" "Of course – that surly girl is-" "Mrs. Moor just remember that surly girl is my daughter and you're standing in my house," I warned her but somewhere deep inside I heard the voice telling me just how late my chastisement was in terms for my daughter. "Well I'll be-" "Leaving if you continue-" "Pat!" Sarah cut me off, "It's a hard time but we can't take out our stress on my mo-" "I'm not blaming you, I have more fault here but you aren't in any position to be telling me who to speak of. You called my daughters mother a whore, and whatever else and she heard you Sarah. She heard you both, I did the most damage and she tried to kill herself, I think you're mother has said enough on a subject that has shit to do with her and she should be reminded of that if she forgets." Leaving was easy as I just slipped out of the door wondering what Ben could have possibly done that would warrant a meeting with his teacher and principal. Driving tensely when I finally arrived at The Hill School, I'm not sure what to expect – no that's not true. I expect that Ben has gotten into some kind of fight with someone, his anger over the situation released on some poor student. I was wrong. . . . "Well? Is someone going to tell me what's going on here?" I ask when I'm guided to the principals, seated and Ben has his head hung not looking up at my entrance. "Mr. Lawson," the principal says, Ben to my left, his teacher standing next to the principal's desk, "you were called in today because of an assignment that ben was given." "I assigned a short paper, on who their hero was, the person they looked up too and Ben handed in the outline – he had chosen your daughter, Oakley – but when we were made aware of the situation going on at home I returned his outline giving him more time to change who he would be writing about. We felt it wasn't appropriate considering your complication, his choice; it would be unhealthy to the other students..." Ben's teacher recalls for me, I keep my eyes neutral but I'm anything but... "However today, your son handed in the same outline and paper about your daughter that I returned and told him to change. In class in front of the other students your son was blatantly rude. When I returned the paper, saying in a whispered voice as not to inform all students of my words that he could not write about her, and that I will not be accepting his work as I previously mentioned, your son replied that he was either going to write about Oakley or not write anything at all..." I nodded, "Ben please go wait outside-" "Actually Mr. Lawson we need to discuss the punishment for your son-" "I didn't want to say this in front of my son, but if you insist," I gave one sharp nod, "He's done nothing wrong. You said the assignment was for him to write about his hero, if you wanted a different paper you should have asked that he write a paper on someone you – his teacher – found suitable enough to be written about as a hero," Bens teacher widens her eyes, her cheek filling with color. "Now you listen here... My daughter is friends with Amelia and was at our house just yesterday talking about this situation. Your daughter tried to take her life by cutting and taking pills, had to have her stomach pumped and has yet to be released. Even when she is released because she is a danger will not be returning to your home but your brother, Grant Lawson-" "Ben let's go," I stood abruptly, furious with Amelia, "As for you Mrs. Spaw and Dr. Wellsworth, you'll be hearing from my lawyer for discrimination..." I watched their eyes widened when they both realized just how far they overstepped. I didn't wait for anything from those two, Ben following me I pulled my phone out calling Amelia's school and letting them know that I wanted her excused for the rest of the day and that I would be picking her up immediately. . . . The drive home was silent, Amelia in the front seat asked once what the problem was but after not getting an answer she remained silent, as did Ben in the back seat. When we entered the house, Sarah stood shocked that I had both Ben and Amelia with me, "Where are your parents?" I asked hanging up my jacket. "They went to visit with Ronnie," well better that they went to visit her brother now because I had to have a talk with the three of them.