Page 40 of Hawk

“I don’t understand? Where are Petey and his parents? Why is Sam the only one in your office?”

“Because it was Sam who started it, Miss Reese. He threw the first punch.”

“He was making fun of the monsters.”

He looked at my son. “You lashed out in anger and violence, Sam. That isn’t tolerated at this school.”

“He does it every day,” Sam continues to whine.

“That’s no excuse,” the principal states.

“But Hawk did it, and his friend didn’t bother him anymore.”

My eyes close at my son’s words. Last night when Sam cried out, and Hawk took care of him, I didn’t think to ask why he had been crying. He settled so quickly I didn’t think much of it.

“I’m not sure who this Hawk person is, but what he did wasn’t right, and he isn’t teaching you the right ways to handle these situations.”

“I told Mrs. Parker,” Sam confesses. He looks up at me, “I did, Mommy. I told her, and she didn’t do anything.”

My gaze hardens as I look at the principal. “Why wasn’t anything done about it?”

Mr. Shultz pushes himself up in the chair and adjusts his tie. “I’m not sure. I wasn’t aware that there was an ongoing issue. His teacher hasn’t brought it up.”

“So because the teacher failed to bring it to the administration's attention and did nothing to remedy the situation, the entire thing escalates resulting in my son defending himself against a bully, and Sam is the one being punished?”

“Like I said, he threw the first punch.”

“He was defending himself.”

“There are other ways to take care of the situation. I’m sure you understand that.”

I grab Sam by the wrist and pull him from the chair. He instantly slings his backpack over his shoulder. “What I understand is that a teacher didn’t do her job, and because of that a child did the only thing that he thought to do, and that was to fight back. We need to fight back, Mr. Shultz. We can’t allow people to bully us, because if we don’t do something about it, then we’ll forever be under their thumb.”

I turn my back on him and lead Sam out of the office. Upset that my son was hurt, but thankful that he had someone to tell him to stand up for himself.

I’ll be damned if my son will ever be a victim.

Hawk

I rush towards the nurse's station, worried that something more is going on with Sam. “What happened to Sam?”

Martha closes a clipboard before she looks at me. “I’m not sure. Tessa didn’t say anything. She was upset and told me that she had to go. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you with that.”

“What can you help with me?”

She points towards Rose’s room. “She’s awake, and I think it’s time. I’m due for my break, so I’ll go in with you.”

A lumps forms in my throat. I’m not sure I can take another incident.

“Come on, big bad biker dude. Let’s go see your mama.” She gestures for me to lead, so I walk towards my mother’s room.

“You’re certain about this?” I ask.

“Yes, sir. She’s ready. She knows it was you that was here yesterday.” She steps forward and pushes the door open.

The room is brighter than it usually is. The television is on low. Rose lies in her bed, with her head turned away from the door, looking out the window. When she doesn’t respond to us entering the room, I grab Martha’s arm.

“I don’t want to disturb her,” I say in hushed tones.