Glancing up at the clock on the wall above us, I shake my head. “I’ll call you tonight after the kids are asleep.”
She lets out a frustrated groan. “Fine. I suppose I can survive all day.”
I step back from the new book display. “Done. What do you think?”
Dominique’s eyebrows shoot up. “Wow, I didn’t even know we carried books like these in our library. This is amazing.”
“That’s the point.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Kids should know that they have access to books like these.”
The title of my display says, “All Families Look Different.” I picked out specific books that illustrate families with two moms or two dads; families that are from different countries or speak different languages; families with disabilities; and families that look like Avery and Alyssa’s, without a parent raising them, or with adoptive parents.
“I want the children in our school to know that being different is a good thing.” I lower myself into the chair beside Dominique. “Maybe if we promote more of that at the elementary level, kids won’t be so mean when they get to be Avery’s age.”
Dominique rubs my arm. “How has it been at school for him since the team paid them a visit?”
“Things seem to have calmed down. Avery said the bullies haven’t bothered with him or anyone else.”
“I hope it lasts.”
“You and me both.”
The bell rings, and Dominique scurries to her classroom while I head outside for my morning bus duty.
Wearing a shit-eating grin because I got dicked down this weekend.
“Ms. King, do you have a moment?”
I drop my car keys back into my purse and set it down on my desk. “Of course. Is everything okay?”
My boss, Principal Ware, gestures to the display I put up this morning. “Molly mentioned something about your new book display.”
I clench my jaw and fight against rolling my eyes. Molly is the PTO president, and the stereotypical “I act like I’m a kind, Jesus-loving Catholic, but I’m really just a judgmental bitch who quotes the Bible when it suits me” kind of parent. She talks about everyone behind their backs, and then smiles in their faces. I know this because I’ve been on the receiving end of her two-faced comments regarding my tattoos.
Imagine if Regina George became a mom—before she got hit by the bus.
“Oh?” I feign ignorance. “I’m so glad she liked it.”
I don’t miss the smile my boss tries to hide. “We both know how Molly can be, so I’ll cut to the chase: She doesn’t think some of your book choices are appropriate for the kids.”
My eyes flick to the book,My Two Moms. “Really? Which ones in particular?”
Principal Ware clears his throat. “The one with two moms, and the other with two dads.”
My eyebrows shoot up as I try to maintain my composure. “And why does she feel those are inappropriate? Gay marriage is legal, and even celebrated in the state of New Jersey.”
“Her issue is with the age of the students in our building. She thinks they’re too young to be exposed to this kind of topic.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “And what doyouthink?”
Because I don’t answer to Molly.
He heaves a sigh. “I think it’s a controversial topic.”
Great. A non-answer.
“So, are you telling me this because you’re asking me to take down the display, or...?”
“I’m not asking you to take it down, no. I’m letting you know so that you’re aware.” He grimaces. “I know Molly can be unpleasant to deal with.”