Page 107 of Stay Toxic

“Her comfort is not necessary to doing her job,” Gabriel snarled.

“Actually,” Principal Grayson said, “it is. She’s pivotal to the students here at West Dallas High. All of the students love her, she’s on the shortlist for becoming principal here next year since I’m only here out of retirement until we can find a suitable replacement, and I have never had one single complaint abouther in the ten years that she’s been here. So yes, her opinion does matter. And she’s also very well-tuned to the state of the students’ wellbeing.”

“The students are too soft, then.” Gabriel rolled his eyes. “All that should matter is if the students can learn the material that my clients are very well practiced at teaching.”

“They can’t. That’s the problem,” one of the men at my back said, causing me to look behind me as I took a bite of my sandwich.

“What are you talking about?” Gabriel sounded annoyed.

Good.

He deserved it.

“The students have all asked to be transferred out of his classroom. All of our other teachers are at over capacity because of the two adults you’re representing. The ones that didn’t know the drama have also now asked to leave their classrooms because of the hostility. Mrs. Goodman has made her desire to not be teaching art very clear, making an inhospitable environment in her classrooms. And Mr. Tomlinson’s students have assured us that they feel very uncomfortable with him because of how he acts. Some students say that he’s snappy and refuses to teach his subject anymore because he ‘should be principal.’ Others are saying that when they ask questions, he refuses to answer. And out of the entire school, their grades are the lowest out of any teacher present.”

“Which brings us to why y’all are here.” The superintendent looked at the two people that used to be such a huge part of my life. “We are terminating your contracts. Immediately. As of today, you will no longer be eligible to work in any Dallas school district.”

Jolessa’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t do that!”

I finished my sandwich, feeling an odd sense of giddiness rocket through me.

“I can, and I will.”

The superintendent rose and said, “Now, you will be escorted off of campus as soon as you’ve collected your things.”

“You have a contract.” Gabriel stood. “You aren’t allowed to just fire them.”

“You don’t need cause to be fired in Texas,” another man spoke up. “I’m the school’s attorney, Robert Blake. But in this case, we have plenty of cause. We realize there’s a contract, and we’re willing to continue paying it out for the rest of the school year. That doesn’t mean that we have to continue to allow you entry to the school.”

I took a bite of my celery sticks, causing Jolessa to look over at me and sneer.

I took another bite and caught Rupert’s attention.

He looked angry as hell, too, and also betrayed. As if he’d never expected this not to go his way.

My phone vibrated again, and I glanced down at it.

Shasha:

I’m watching this. Have access to the school’s cameras. This is better than Law and Order.

I didn’t bother to ask how he had access to the school’s cameras.

I did reply, though.

Me:

The PB&J Polina made me was fantastic. How much PB&J is too much? Can I ask her to make something for dinner relating to PB&J?

His reply was instant.

Shasha:

She already made some sort of roast that’s been cooking for the last three hours.

Me:

Bummer.

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