Page 59 of Peak of Love
“Equality in physical space is not equity in access,” Reena declared.
“We need to stop favoring men’s bodies and men’s needs when we build facilities,” Cathy followed up.
Jaya sensed Mr. Watson’s discomfort with the strong delivery and progressive message. Sebastian, on the other hand, looked thoroughly engaged. His glance landed on her and she made sure to look away from his chronic smirk. She didn’t want to detract from the girls’ presentation. She also didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that she noticed him at all. His ego didn’t need more encouragement.
Reena’s young eyes flicked towards Jaya.You got this, girl!Jaya sent the good vibes through her attentive and encouraging smile. These kids deserved so much. Teaching them how to ask for what they deserved was one of the best parts of her job.
They finally meandered to the basement, where Jaya had spent much of the last few months trying to convert ugly storage rooms into something useful. Donated tables turned to board game spaces. Desks functioned as tutoring areas. Although the rooms needed cosmetic upgrades, the campaign’s funds were for something more important.
Most of the money for youth programs would be diverted towards hiring and training human resources: counselors, tutors, coaches, and support staff. Jaya had a degree in social work. She transitioned into the Freedom Community Center youth coordinator position this past year. In her role, she didn’t only do programming for kids, she was a grant writer, administrator, occasional receptionist, and reluctant social media facilitator. She was also the coordinator for volunteer tutors and coaches. Even running the background checks was a side job. Most paramount responsibility, though, was finding crucial support counselors. Hiring the wrong people had real, enduring consequences for the kids’ safety and growth.
“This is going so well,” Shirley said, her giddy voice beside Jaya’s ear.
Jaya took a deep breath and allowed herself a half-smile as Oliver did his part of the presentation. “Yeah, they’re defi…”
“Shut the fuck up,” Chloe whisper-hissed at Sonia, though it was loud enough for everyone to hear. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Sonia flicked her hair back and crossed her arms. “Whatever, bitch.”
“Oh, ahem, well now girls,” Mr. Watson attempted to intervene. His panicked eyes sought Jaya.
The argument escalated pretty quickly from there, ninth graders being as fluent in name calling as they are. The men’s shocked silence was fodder for the girls’ anger. They were normally friends and had more in common than they would admit—both brilliant and frustrated and stubborn. Something must have triggered this exchange, Jaya realized.
As she moved forward, Shirley placed herself between the girls.
Jaya addressed them. “Hey, hey, Chloe. C’mon Sonia. It’s OK to disagree but we don’t talk to each other like that,” she spoke calmly. She looked at each girl individually. “You know that right, Chloe? And calling another woman that word, I mean, c’mon Sonia. We talked about this. Swearing at your friend isn’t going to get you the response you need.”
“I don’t needanythingfrom her!” Sonia huffed.
“You need a damn pu…” Chloe started.
“OK! That’s enough,” Jaya interrupted with more authority, knowing the next word would make it hard to pull back from the debacle. Once a physical threat was launched, reports had to be written. She meant to scale this back before things got worse.
“I want to hear both your sides, and it will take time, alright? How about we thank our guests now and find a quiet place to talk,” Jaya stated gently. Both girls still looked at each other hotly. Jaya had spent enough time with them this past year, together and separately, to know that these outbursts were probably from the stresses of the day rather than from any deep-seated hostilities. At least she hoped that was the case.
The kids mumbled some version of concluding statements for Sebastian and Mr. Watson. Afterward, Shirley led the guests upstairs to the lobby, along with the other kids.
Once the room cleared out, Jaya pulled three chairs into an intimate circle and invited the girls to sit down.
“Who wants to start?” Jaya asked. Silence except for some general grumbling. The stale air of the basement was oppressive. She made another note at the back of her mind. Ventilation.
“Since I heard you first, Chloe, when you told Sonia to, well, be quiet,” she paused and saw the eye rolls, “what did you mean?”
“She was spreading a rumor about me,” Chloe whined.
“No, I wasn’t!” Sonia squealed and then unleashed a torrent of words. “I asked if it was true because I didn’t think it was true. Rachel was going on and on about you and Darnell at the bleachers and it’s not like you’re saying anything about the rumor or stopping it or anything. And you told me you didn’t like him, so what are you doing under the bleachers with him then?” By the time she got to the last word, Sonia was out of breath and red as a beet.
“Idon’tlike him!” Chloe exclaimed, her caramel skin heated. “I…” She stalled and seemed at a loss for words. Something was brewing in her mind, buried under a furrowed brow.
“It’s OK, Chloe. Take your time,” Jaya said before Sonia tried to fill the silence with another outburst of information.
“He asked me to the dance and then when I said no, he surprised me after gym class. On the way to the locker room.”
The back of Jaya’s neck prickled and she leaned over, hoping to project the sympathy and support the child needed. Because that’s what Chloe was. The fifteen-year-old girl had troubles that no child should bear.
“He tried to pull me into the bottom of the bleachers. He said he wanted to talk. I pushed him away and he…he called me a slut,” she blurted out and then shrugged her shoulders. “I mean, whatever.”
The three of them were quiet for a while. Jaya could feel the tightness in her chest and the way that tension was reflected in the anxious faces of the girls.
