Chapter Fifty-Three: Parents say the Darndest Things

Chapter 53: Parents Say the Darndest Things

TobyBeth’s father phoned Henry, my public school liaison directly, totally bypassing me. And frankly, that really is okay.

TobyBeth’s father ran into former counselor Ernie in Winn Dixie and Ernie told him to hurry and get TobyBeth out of Prospect before she “gets ruined for life.” Good old Ernie. TobyBeth is a very troubled girl. Between the internet sexual predator and the death of her best friend last year, her suicide ideation and depression this year, having her father bounce her in and out of Prospect and Public school for over three years and all the while growing up in a home with two illiterate and racist parents, TobyBeth could already be said to be “ruined.”

A meeting is scheduled with TobyBeth’s father, Henry and me.

Henry arrives early. We converse easily, enjoying each other’s company. We talk about running, his children and the weather in upstate New York. Neither of us is aware of any specific problems TobyBeth’s father is having with Prospect but we both know TobyBeth’s forays to public school have always ended badly. Our goal for this meeting then is to avoid another unsuccessful and unproductive transfer of TobyBeth to public school. My overriding concern is the emotional and academic damage these school transfers do to TobyBeth. Henry seems primarily worried about the impact on the students and staff in the public school to which TobyBeth is transferring, along with the requisite bureaucratic paperwork associated with such transfers. I don’t linger over these different motivations thinking that as long as Henry and I both share the same goal, I am ready to face TobyBeth’s father. But Henry’s priorities regarding Prospect children keep widening the gap between us.

TobyBeth’s father arrives late and starts the conversation by accusing “that black boy” (Kembrall) of sexually harassing TobyBeth. He is recycling an old accusation, one we investigated months ago, along with the Deputy. Although we found no proof, because there was doubt we moved Kembrall to another class and we’ve been doing our best to make sure TobyBeth and Kembrall are kept apart. I question TobyBeth’s father to determine if there are any new allegations, but he is on a roll and won’t let his monologue get sidetracked by facts.

TobyBeth’s father gets very worked up and loudly proclaims: “I don’t want nobody touching her titties and pussy.” He repeats this statement three times before concluding by striking his fist on my desk for emphasis: “Even I don’t touch her titties and pussy.”

I take detailed notes both for my records and in an effort to keep my face expressionless. I work hard not to make eye contact with Henry during the meeting. At some point Henry must have decided he wanted to end this meeting quickly and that it wasn’t worth arguing about why Prospect is the right place for TobyBeth. So when TobyBeth’s father finally pauses, Henry suggests since TobyBeth’s father is so unhappy with Prospect, he return TobyBeth to public school. TobyBeth’s father is surprised at this response and leaves saying he’ll ask TobyBeth what she wants.

I feel conflicted by this outcome. On one hand it is definitely a relief not to prolong this meeting with TobyBeth’s father. But if TobyBeth is transferred to public school, yet again, it will not help her. I am disappointed in Henry for surrendering so easily, for giving up on TobyBeth without a fight.

After TobyBeth’s father departs, Henry and I both have to confirm we heard correctly. We agree that TobyBeth’s father’s statement: “Even I don’t touch her titties and pussy” is a shoe-in to win Prospect Quotation of the Year. Henry asks about the Kembrall investigation and recommends, if we have any doubt about Kembrall’s guilt, we transfer him to ESAK where he’ll be with high schoolers and won’t have the opportunity to prey on younger girls. I agree and make a phone call to Rocky at ESAK to get the transfer procedure started.

Goodbye Kembrall.