PTA Shakes Military
My son and his wife had made the ultimate sacrifice. The only family she had left was me, an old woman with a few war wounds. My heart ached for her.
Dont you worry, sweetie, I soothed. Grandma will go for you. Ill explain the situation to your teacher.
When we got to the school, Aria pleaded with me in a small voice.
Grandma, please dont tell my classmates that I dont have a mom and dad. Okay?
Looking into her begging eyes, I smiled and agreed, but a bitter sorrow flooded my heart. That girl must have been suffering a great deal at this school.
At the conference, Arias homeroom teacher, Ms. Thorne, spoke with dripping sarcasm.
Maam, with all due respect, you can barely keep your own thoughts straight. What are you doing at a parent-teacher conference? Youre just making a mess of things.
I frowned. Did she look down on me because I was old?
Back when I was dodging bullets and fighting Nazis, you werent even a twinkle in your fathers eye.
1
I have stressed this repeatedly, Ms. Thorne announced, her voice sharp with irritation. This is their senior year. Every single parent must attend! We have forty students in this class, and thirty-nine sets of parents showed up. Is someone here an orphan?
I knew that barb was meant for me. I stood up to explain. Maam, Arias parents had a special situation. They truly couldnt be here. From now on, Ill be handling all of her affairs
She looked me up and down, her tone glacial. Immediate family! As in, parents. Do you understand? A grandmother does not count.
Ms. Thornes patience was clearly wearing thin. Let me be blunt. Rules are rules. If you were to drop dead tomorrow, I wouldnt even approve Arias absence for the funeral, because youre not her legal guardian. Is that clear?
The words drop dead stabbed me in the heart.
My son and daughter-in-law had given their lives when Aria was only three. Now, I was all she had. I couldnt die. If I died, Aria would truly be alone.
Whispers rippled through the room.
Shes right, the teacher must have a good reason for wanting the parents here.
If the parents dont care, what good can a grandparent do?
What do old people know, anyway? School is completely different from our day.
Her parents are probably working out of town. Its a tough situation, I guess.
I clenched my calloused, old hands on my knees and said nothing.
Seeing my tight-lipped silence, Ms. Thorne rolled her eyes dramatically. Fine. Talking to you is a waste of time anyway. Its not like you have any real authority here.
She waved a dismissive hand, her disgusted gaze finally moving away from me. Lets continue. The next item on the agenda
When the conference finally ended, Ms. Thorne gathered her lesson plans and swept out of the classroom without a backward glance.
Hiding the truth wasnt going to work. I had to explain things to her properly.
I stepped into the hallway, but Aria wasnt there waiting for me. I quickened my pace, my eyes scanning the corridor. As I neared the girls restroom, I heard the faint sound of mocking laughter.
I drew closer to the slightly ajar door, and the voices inside became clear.
Who do you think youre fooling, Aria? a sharp, cruel voice, clearly the ringleaders, sneered. That was your grandma today? So where are your parents? Did they drop dead somewhere?
I didnt hear Arias reply, only a soft, hitching breath.
Oh, cat got your tongue? Since school started, youve had a different guy dropping you off every week, havent you? Young ones, old ones whats the deal? Does your family run a museum of men?
A wave of cruel laughter followed.
Yeah, what about that guy in the Jeep the other day? He seemed pretty friendly with you.
Kids with no parents to watch them are always wild. Tsk, tsk.
I was shaking with fury. My hand was on the door, ready to burst in.
Then, the ringleaders voice rang out again, dripping with malice. You know what I think? I bet your mom couldnt stand being lonely and found you a new daddy. Or maybe maybe those are all the sugar daddies shes lined up for you?
The words were followed by another round of vile laughter.
Shut up! Dont you dare talk about my parents! Arias voice was filled with shame and rage.
Ah!
There was the sound of a body hitting something, followed by a girls shriek and a pained curse.
Aria! I slammed the restroom door open.
The sight before me made my blood run cold.
2
Aria was cornered between the sinks and the wall by three other girls. A bright red handprint was emblazoned on her cheek. Her hair was a mess, and her eyes were red-rimmed.
On the floor lay the silver locket she never took offthe only thing her mother had left her. The pendant was a small silver heart, and inside was a tiny photo of her parents.
The ringleader, Jessica, was clutching her chin, wincing in pain. You dare hit me? You fatherless, motherless little stray!
With a snarl, she lifted her foot and brought her shoe down hard on the locket.
The glass cover shattered, smearing dirt across the two young, smiling faces in the photograph.
Aria shoved the girl away and gently, carefully, picked up the broken locket from the floor.
I rushed forward and pulled her into my arms. Aria looked up, her eyes swimming in tears, her voice broken. Grandma, they they broke the locket Mom gave me.
The words seemed to drain the last of her strength. She buried her face in my shoulder and sobbed, her cries like a knife twisting in my heart.
They were my son and daughter-in-law, too.
I held her tight, patting her back, unable to find any words of comfort. I looked up, my gaze locking onto the ringleader. You are out of control, I said, my voice shaking with rage. Bullying a classmate, destroying her property Do you have no fear of me reporting you to your teacher?
The girl, Jessica, faltered for a second, then shot back arrogantly, Are you blind, you old hag? Didnt you see your granddaughter attack me?
She shoved me into the wall! Im dizzy! If I have a concussion, you wont be able to afford the hospital bills even if you sell your house! She took a step forward. Im going to tell the whole school that Aria is a violent psycho! Well see who Ms. Thorne believesa senile old woman, or us! Im going to get your granddaughter expelled!
Her two cronies chimed in. Yeah! Lets go to the teacher! Get her kicked out!
I held Arias hand tightly. It was ice-cold and still trembling.
We followed the girls, Jessica groaning and crying theatrically, to the faculty office. Only Ms. Thorne was still there.
She looked up, annoyed. When she saw Jessicas dramatic display, her face darkened instantly.
Ms. Thorne! You have to help me! Jessica stumbled to the desk. Aria went crazy and attacked me! She smashed my head against the wall, Im still seeing stars!
Ms. Thornes voice was stern. Aria! What is the meaning of this? Assaulting another student on school grounds? Have you lost your mind?
She hit me first Aria tried to explain, her voice choked with sobs.
Ms. Thorne, I said, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the fire in my chest. These students cornered Aria in the restroom. They insulted her deceased parents with vile language and then snatched and destroyed the locket her mother gave her! The mark on Arias face is proof!
Enough! Ms. Thorne cut me off, her voice sharp. It doesnt matter what happened. Striking another student is wrong! It is an act of violence! Her eyes were filled with contempt. Aria, Ive always suspected there was something off about you. It takes two to tango. Why do they pick on you and not someone else? Its clear to me the problem lies with your character!
Aria stared at her teacher, her face a mask of disbelief. Tears welled in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.
You cant just listen to one side of the story! I felt a rush of blood to my head. Arias parents were heroes! They died in service! These girls were insulting them, and they were talking about the men who pick her up
The fact that different men are always dropping her off is something many students have witnessed!
Those are her parents comrades-in-arms! Their army buddies! They care about her, so they take turns giving her rides! I explained, my voice rising with agitation.
Oh, really? Ms. Thorne leaned back in her chair, a scornful look on her face. What kind of comrades are so dedicated they take turns chauffeuring her every day? Maam, if youre going to lie, at least make it believable. This just proves your family has no moral compass. The apple doesnt fall far from the tree.
You! I trembled with fury.
I dont want to hear any more of your excuses, Ms. Thorne waved her hand. The facts are clear. Aria assaulted another student. Jessica has suffered both physical and emotional trauma.
Here are my terms. First, Aria will give Jessica a sincere apology. Second, as her guardian, you will cover all of Jessicas medical and nutritional expenses. Third, Aria will write a formal letter of apology and read it aloud to the class tomorrow. She looked at us, her voice dripping with threat. If you cannot comply, then you can take Aria home for an indefinite suspension. She can return when she has learned her lesson.
I stared at Ms. Thorne, my voice barely a whisper. Is this how you conduct yourself as an educator? Believe me, I will report you to the Board of Education.
3
Ms. Thorne froze for a moment, then a cold smirk spread across her face, as if she couldnt believe someone had dared to challenge her authority.
Are you threatening me? she sneered, then chuckled as if a brilliant idea had just occurred to her. Fine. Well forget this whole incident. I wont pursue it. But if anything like this happens again, dont come crying to me. Now take your granddaughter and get out of my office.
I thought we had won. I led a still-shaken Aria out of the school.
On the way home, I tried to comfort her. Dont be afraid, sweetie. Grandma will protect you. They wont dare bully you again.
Aria leaned against me, a flicker of hope returning to her eyes.
The next afternoon, I received a call from the schools disciplinary office. A robotic voice informed me that Aria had been involved in a violent conflict with multiple students and was being sent home for parental education.
My heart sank. I rushed to the school.
I found Aria huddled in a corner, her uniform stained with ink, her hair dripping wet. The books from her backpack were torn to shreds, scrawled with words like LIAR, THIEF, and PSYCHO.
When Aria saw me, her eyes were hollow, devoid of any light.
I stormed off to find Ms. Thorne.
She was sitting at her desk, calmly grading papers. She didnt even look up. Oh, that? Just a little friction between classmates. Its normal. Flies are only drawn to rotting meat. Have you ever asked your granddaughter why everyone picks on her? Maybe she has a personality problem. Maybe she just doesnt know how to get along with others.
I stared at her, horrified that these words could come from a teachers mouth.
I gritted my teeth. So youre refusing to do anything about this?
She raised an eyebrow, a triumphant smile playing on her lips, mocking my powerlessness.
Thats right. Im not getting involved. This time, it was a conflict between students. You cant possibly blame me for that, can you, maam?
I understood then. She was getting back at me for my threat.
4
There had to be someone who would listen to reason.
I took Aria to see the principal.
He was polite but dismissive. We will investigate the matter. Ms. Thorne is a very experienced teacher, and we must trust her judgment. Parents also need to cooperate with the school and look for the cause of these problems within their own children.
I refused to give up. I went to the Board of Education. I submitted a thick file of evidence, my voice breaking as I told them our story.
A clerk took my information. Then came the long wait.
Finally, a phone call. Following a review, it was determined that while the schools handling of the student dispute may have had some minor flaws, no serious misconduct on the part of the teacher was found. We recommend that the parent and the school work to improve communication
Communication? They had slammed every door in my face.
Only then did I learn the truth. Ms. Thornes class was filled with the children of the wealthy and influentialrelatives of the principal, children of district officials. The word had been put out. No one was going to help us.
Every trip, every dismissal, was like another handful of salt poured on our wounds.
Aria grew more withdrawn, her eyes filled with fear and shame. She began to refuse to leave the house.
One gloomy afternoon, Ms. Thorne showed up at our door with several people.
What do you want? I asked, instinctively trying to close the door.
Ms. Thorne blocked it with her hand, her eyes filled with malice. Don't play dumb. You've been dragging your granddaughter all over town causing trouble for me, haven't you? Claiming I'm unfit to be a teacher? Well, now I suspect Aria is suffering from paranoid delusions. She needs immediate medical intervention.
Youre lying! Aria isnt sick! You did this to her! I screamed, using my body to block the doorway.
Please cooperate with us. This is based on a professional medical opinion, Ms. Thorne said, then gave a nod to the men behind her.
A security guard roughly shoved me aside. I stumbled, desperately trying to stop them. Dont you touch my granddaughter! Let her go!
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