Page 38 of The Parent Playbook
Scotty steps back, a sheepish yet playful smile spreading across his face as he tilts his head toward the noise.
“What, is that another media van coming to catch this scandal?” he jokes, but I hear a hint of disappointment in his voice too.
The moment of what-could-have-been hangs briefly in the air before we both turn to see what’s approaching.
As we turn toward the sound, a fancy 4x4 truck pulls into view. I recognize it immediately—but I sure wish I didn’t.
Scotty leans in closer. “You know who that is?” he asks, his voice low.
I nod, a tight feeling coiling in my stomach. “Yeah, that’s the Maple Falls Middle School Principal.”
Before I can add anything else, the truck door swings open and out step Lily and Andy, both sporting expressions that can only spell trouble. Their chins are high, but guilt is written all over their faces as they shuffle toward us. Behind them, the principal steps out, her expression stern, her demeanor as stiff as the creases in her blouse.
I exhale slowly and lean toward Scotty. “And it’s not good news.”
CHAPTER 16
SCOTTY
The principal teeters in her no-nonsense heels, which were clearly not designed for gravel driveways. She marches up to where Angel and I are standing, and I suddenly get a flashback to second grade when I tugged on Suzy Anderson’s braids.
The principal casts a long shadow, which Andy and Lily try to hide in.
“Good afternoon, Virginia.” Angel steps toward her with arms crossed.
“Stick with Principal Ballard for now,” the lady version of the grim reaper says. “Because Andy and Lily decided that today was the perfect day to turn the cafeteria into their personal political advocacy battleground.” Her voice is stern, her eyes even sterner. Behind her, Andy and Lily trot up, looking not the least bit sorry. In fact, they’re nearly bursting, eager to explain.
“All we did was set up recycling bins!” Andy blurts out.
“And the banners were made from recycled materials!” Lily chimes in, her cheeks flushed. “Dad, back home they at least had recycling bins in the cafeteria. The school could be doing so much more.”
They look at each other, nodding, their littleconspiracy clear as day. It’s like watching two mini-politicians gearing up for a debate.
I, however, am already planning Lily’s grounding.
Angel’s face is a mask of controlled amusement, a mom seasoned in the art of keeping a straight face. I,however, haven’t quite mastered that skill yet. My face is probably telling a story of its own—shock, disbelief, and maybe a touch of inadvertent pride.
The principal, however, isn’t buying their enthusiasm. “It’s wonderful to see such passion in students, but there’s a time and a place. Disrupting lunch to lecture their peers on carbon footprints isn’t it,” she explains. “We discourage all students from climbing on the tables, no matter their message. Tilting over the garbage cans is both unacceptable and unhygienic. As for the names they called the school board trustees?—”
“They weren’t rude names,” Andy points out. “They were accurate for a bunch of lazy, uncouth, short-sighted?—”
“Enough!” The principal rubs her forehead. “Angel, come on. And Mr. MacFarland. I need you to recognize how serious this is. As for you two,” she looks down her nose at Andy and Lily, “there are consequences. Do you understand?”
They nod, a little subdued now, their fire dampened by the realization that their stunt might have ruffled more feathers than they’d intended.
Angel gives me a look, that kind that saysSee what we get to deal with?but I don’t know how to respond.
What the principal says next nearly knocks me over.
“You are both suspended.”
Suspended? My Lilybug, suspended?
The gravel crunches under the principal’s retreating steps, but her words hang in the air like an undershirt after practice. I glance over at Angel, who seems to be processing the news, her brow furrowed in thought.
The kids look between us.
“Off you go,” Angel finally says to them, and just as well,because I didn’t know where to start. “Scotty and I need to talk about this.”
