EXPOSED: CHAPTER 3
Garrison and Cynthia arrived just 15 minutes before the disciplinary meeting was supposed to begin. A problem at work had kept Garrison Rush at the office longer than expected. When they finally made it to the Board of Head Master's Conference Room, Abigail Rush was wound tighter than a ten dollar watch. Then she saw Lance in a sling and lost it. Garrison had to take her back into the hall so she could regain control.
Once the hearing started. Dean Meyers related what his investigation found. "I interviewed 14 boys that said they witnessed the altercation from the beginning to the end. The gist was that Mr. Spangler and a number of players from the soccer team were involved in a conversation. During the course of the conversation, one of the soccer players said in response to a sarcastic comment by Mr. Spangler `Watch it faggot, or I'll close your mouth!' One of the soccer team captains immediately warned his teammate not to use that language."
"A few minutes later, following another sarcastic comment, Mr. Rush said, "Look here you...you...you know what you are..."
"And Mr. Spangler completed his sentence with, "Class valedictorian... National Merit finalist...president of the debate club..."
"It was at that point, Mr. Rush's face turned red, he grabbed Mr. Spangler's Jacket with one hand, and drew back the other to throw a punch. Mr. Spangler reacted with a self-defense move that caught Mr. Rush off guard and resulted in Spangler gaining control of Mr. Rush's arm in a submission hold."
"Of the 14 witnesses interviewed, ten said Mr. Spangler acted in self-defense and four said Mr. Spangler provoked Mr. Rush."
Headmaster Gates said, "Thank you Dean Meyers. Does anyone have any questions for Dean Meyers."
Cynthia Rush said, "I do. So what you are telling us is that, boy," and she pointed to James, "instigated a confrontation, provoked Lance, and then used his martial arts skills in an attempt to permanently disable my son. Is that right!?"
"No ma'am that is not what I am saying. The way I would characterize it would be that your son was losing a verbal confrontation with Mr. Spangler and resort to physical violence to even the score."
"If that's what happened, why is Lance wearing a sling and he is untouched? Tell me that!"
"Unfortunately, your son underestimated Mr. Spangler's ability to defend himself and ended up on the short end of the stick," Dean Meyers replied a bit sarcastically.
At this point, Lance, who was sitting next to his father, grabbed his father's coat sleeve and showed him the picture Kip had shown him the night before. Garrison Rush quickly grabbed Lance's phone and his wife by the arm and the two left the room. There was a lot of yelling from the hallway, and Lance sheepishly said, "Sometimes they are hard of hearing."
Julia Spangler covered her mouth to keep from laughing; she knew exactly what Lance meant."
Not sure just what to do, Headmaster Gates finally said, "Dean Meyers, could you show Mr. and Mrs. Rush to my office where they can have more privacy."
As the yelling began to fade, Gates said, "I'm sorry Ms. Spangler that you did not get to ask any questions of Dean Meyers. Should I ask him to return?"
"I don't believe I have any questions. I am satisfied that I know exactly what happened, and there is no one who is innocent in the lead up to this altercation," Julia Spangler said, looking straight at Headmaster Gates.
Gate's swallowed hard. He knew a broader investigation would reveal that the Mill Brook administration had not taken seriously the student complaints of bullying and harassment. He also knew that Julia was now the power at Pierce International, and if she wanted to, could force major changes at Mill Brook.
Gates nervously cleared his throat several times waiting for Lance's parents to return. Finally, Garrison Rush returned and said his wife wasn't feeling well, and they would have to continue without her."
Gate cleared his throat one more time, and said, "Now that we have a clear picture of what happened, the next question is what are the consequences. Lance, do you have anything you wish to say?"
"If it is alright, could James speak first?"
"James, are you okay with that?"
James knew Gates changing from Mr. Rush and Mr. Spangler to Lance and James meant his mother's not so veiled threat was received, and now was the time to give Gates the exit he so desperately needed.
"Yes Headmaster Gates, I can speak first. Lance and I have had a chance to speak, and we are in agreement that we are both responsible for what happened yesterday in the cafeteria. We are also in agreement that neither of us want to be expelled, nor do we want the other expelled."
Julia Spangler couldn't believe what she just heard. She figured James would be dancing on the table to be finishing school at home in New York City.
James continued, "We also know that you must do something to make us an example that violence and bullying will not be tolerated at Mill Brook Academy."
Again Julia Spangler had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing.
"Lance and I have some mutual friends who would like to speak on our behalf and offer an alternative to expulsion."
Gates wasn't sure what to do, and he looked at both parents, neither of whom were registering objection, so he agreed. James opened the door and signaled for someone down the hall to enter.
Who entered were Kip, Brock, Mr Gregg, and Coach Montoya, the soccer coach.
Kip stood at the end of the conference table and said, "Headmaster Gates, I am Edmund Sanders, but most people at Mill Brook Academy know me by my middle name, Kip. I am vice-president of the Senior class and co-captain of the soccer team. I, Brock Champlain, Mr. Gregg, and Coach Montoya are here to ask that Lance and James be assigned service to the Mill Brook community, rather than expulsion. We believe this alternative discipline will better demonstrate that Mill Brook Academy will not tolerate violence, bullying, and harassment. Further, we believe Lance and James can be examples of forgiveness and reconciliation for the entire school. I would like Mr. Gregg to explain the service project Lance and James would be expected to complete as a team.
"Head Master Gates, as school librarian, I am also the school historian. 75-years ago, this school started a tradition we call the Trojan Wars. For the benefit of Ms. Spangler and Mr. Rush, the Trojan Wars are a school wide competition between four teams each led by a Senior Captain and two faculty advisors. In recent years the competition has been held on the commons, in the gym, and on the auditorium stage. However, the original competitions were held at a place called Troy. Troy was, well still is, an old quarry on the property that provided the foundation stones for the oldest buildings on campus. As the Trojan Wars were moved to other venues, Troy fell into neglect. Today, it is overgrown and unusable. We are proposing that the community service Mr. Rush and Mr. Spangler perform is the return of Troy to a usable space for this year's Trojan Wars."
Gates drummed his fingers on the table and finally said, "I didn't realize this is the 75th Anniversary of the Trojan Wars, and had really forgotten about Troy. I just don't think two boys, well young men, can do all of the work it would require to get Troy usable. Also, there will be costs that we don't really have budgeted."
Coach Montoya stepped forward, and said, "Headmaster, they won't be alone. I am sure you are aware of Mr. Champlain's unsportsmanlike actions after the game with The Revere Academy Minutemen. Mr. Champlain has offered to resign as co-captain of the soccer team. However, he and I have discussed this and believe that rather than give up his leadership role, he will use it to assist in this project. Also, Mr. Sanders and I are volunteering to help. I believe there will be other students who see this as a valuable project, lesson, and team building activity."
"I will cover whatever it costs," Julia Spangler said.
"Lance, Mr. Rush, are you okay with that proposal," Gates asked.
Lance said, "Yes sir," and his father nodded.
"Then, instead of expulsion, it is agreed that this group will have Troy ready for use during this year's Trojan Wars."
When everyone left the room, Gates said to himself, "Fuck that was close." Although he wasn't sure all the dust had finally settled.
In the hall, Lance's father said, "I hope the next time we meet it is under more pleasant circumstances, but now Lance and I have to go tell his mother what the decision was."
"Oh dad," Lance moaned, "can't I just have James kick my ass again."
"If I thought it would get me out of this conversation, he could kick mine as well."
Everyone laughed, but deep down had sympathy for what they were going to have to do.
When Lance and his father were gone, James said, "Mom, let me introduce you to Mr. Gregg, the librarian."
"Mr. Gregg," Julia said, extending her hand, "It is so nice to meet you. You have done so much for James over the years. James tells me you were once on Broadway. I insist you come this Summer and stay with us in New York. We would love to take you to the new shows."
"I would very much like that," Mr. Gregg said, "Mostly because I would like to see them with James. He is one of the nicest young men I have had the pleasure of working with in the library."
As Mr. Gregg was starting to leave, Brock said, "Mr. Gregg, can I know why you gave me the cane last night."
"Joey Bacher, you didn't think I knew who stole the twenty-year-old bottle of Scotch from my desk drawer, but I knew it was you."
"Mr. Gregg, I'm not Joey Bacher. He graduated last year. I'm Brock Champlain."
Gregg took off his glasses, and squinted at Brock, then said, "Oops, I guess I owe you a bottle of Scotch," then walked away. James and Kip were laughing so hard they nearly fell to the ground.
When he finally stopped laughing, James said, "Let me introduce you to my friends. This is Kip Sanders, he is the one who came up with the plan to keep Lance and me from getting expelled."
Julia extended her hand and said, "Thank you very much Kip. I am betting you are planning to go to law school."
Kip smiled and said, "Yes ma'am."
"Well when you get that law degree, come see me. We can always use a smart strategist at Pierce International."
Julia then turned to Brock and began to extend her hand, as James said, "And this is Brock Champlain."
Julia pulled her hand back and said, "Wait, is this the same Brock Champlain you wanted me to put out a hit on just two weeks ago."
James looked at Brock and said, "I was just kidding...mostly." Then he said, "I can't believe it either. If a week ago you had told me that I would call Brock Champlain my friend, I would have accused you of smoking crack."
Julia extended her hand again, and said, "I imagine James will never tell me what changed between you and him, but whatever it was, I am happy for the change. Now, boys it is not often that a girl gets to go on a date with three handsome young men, so let's go find us a place to eat, and celebrate."