Chapter 3
2531 Words
Chapter 3
Sam’s teacher, Ms. Moore, worked diligently and was able to set up a parent-teacher conference to meet with the other child’s parents to determine the reason why he was bullying Sam at school. Although other kids joined in, this young boy seemed to be the main perpetrator, based on what Ms. Moore had witnessed, so she wanted to meet his parents at the very least. It was the day after the incident, and Bradley, the boy who had been picking on Sam, and his parents were in Ms. Moore’s office, waiting for Wyatt and Rylee.
“Why are we here?” the child’s parents asked Ms. Moore.
“Mrs. Hutchinson, I already explained why. Your son has been seen picking on other students more times than I would like to count, but lately, it has been toward a specific class member.”
“He’s a little boy. This is pre-school. There’s no such thing as—”
“The fact that you believe children of their age can’t be bullies makes me wonder if you’re the reason behind his misbehavior,” Ms. Moore immediately retorted.
“EXCUSE ME!?”
“Honey, let’s not get too worked up. I’m sure it’s just boys being boys, and we can rectify the situation easily.”
“Whatever. Where are these other children’s parents?”
“Mr. Valencia and Ms. Duquesne are on their way. They let me know they ran into some unexpected traffic,” Ms. Moore answered. She wouldn’t tell them that Wyatt had mindlinked her to inform her of their tardiness, obviously.
About ten minutes later, there was a knock on Ms. Moore’s door.
“Come in!” The door opened, and Wyatt and Rylee walked in. The moment Wyatt’s face came into view, Mrs. Hutchinson swooned at his handsome face and mesmerizing teal colored eyes. Mr. Hutchinson couldn’t help but stare at Rylee. She was the definition of a walking Barbie doll.
“Sorry, we’re late. Traffic was unexpected due to a minor accident,” Wyatt said.
“It’s perfectly fine, Mr. Valencia,” Ms. Moore said, and shook his hand while also giving him a slight nod in respect for him being her Alpha and all. “You’ll please have a seat,” she gestured to the empty chairs in front of her desk.
“Ms. Moore, I’m assuming that these are the other child’s parents?” Rylee asked as she scrutinized Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson with disdain. They could see that Rylee wasn’t pleased to meet them at all.
“What’s your problem?” Mrs. Hutchinson spat.
“Oh, gee, I don’t know. Maybe your son is picking on mine for absolutely no reason!” Rylee clapped back louder than she had wanted. Unfortunately, she was in full-on mama werewolf mode, and keeping her anger at bay took more coaxing from Wyatt than it usually would.
“Maybe your son deserves it,” Mrs. Hutchinson thought in her mind; unfortunately, with Rylee’s power of telepathy, she heard it, and she almost let out a snarl. Luckily, Wyatt sensed her anger rising and quickly placed his hand on her thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. Rylee had to take several deep breaths to calm Kaliegh because she was one inch away from making an appearance to protect her pup.
“Let’s not get carried away, please,” Ms. Moore quickly inserted herself to break the sudden tension building between the mothers. She also sent a quick mind link to Rylee.
Luna, we are in the presence of humans. You need to try to contain your wolf. I understand what you are feeling, but now is the time to risk exposure for our kind or any other supernaturals.
Rylee gritted her teeth, but pushed Kaliegh down. Wyatt could sense that Rylee was calming down and slowly removed his hand. Rylee nodded, indicating that she had her anger under control.
“I asked you all here today because Bradley Hutchinson has been seen picking on Samson Valencia for quite some time now. Initially, it was just children having their usual squabbles that needed to be broken up, but everything was fine afterward. I chalked it up to boys being boys and roughhousing; however, over the last few days, I’ve noticed that Bradley has been more ruthless with some of the things he has been saying to Samson.”
“Can you be more specific?” Mr. Hutchinson asked, genuinely invested in what had gotten into his son.
“Well, whenever Sam would say or do something in class that was a group activity or just playing during recess, I’ve noticed that Bradley would get a little physical with him. Additionally, Bradley has started to call Samson names and make fun of his size.”
“How small could he be?” Mrs. Hutchinson asked in a condescending tone.
“It’s not that he’s small, Mrs. Hutchinson. It’s the fact that Samson is the largest child in my class,” Ms. Moore corrected. She turned over the class photo on her desk and showed the Hutchinsons. “The one at the very top left.”
“Damn, that boy is big!” Mr. Hutchinson exclaimed without even thinking. Wyatt was proud of Sam’s size; however, the Hutchinsons were more astonished than anything.
“As you all know, it’s not uncommon for some children to be bigger than others. Samson is considered to be in the 95th percentile of his peers,” Ms. Moore explained. Mr. Hutchinson’s eyes widened in shock.
“Are you saying this kid is bigger than 95% of children his age?” Mrs. Hutchison questioned.
“That is precisely what I am saying. As adults, we understand how genetics works. As you can see for yourself, Mr. Valencia is on the taller side of the spectrum, even if Ms. Duquesne is on the more petite side of the spectrum. You and your wife, Mr. Hutchinson, would be considered average, yes?” The Hutchinsons nodded. “Well, we all know that our children take after our genes, and some can be taller or larger than others of their age, depending on their family genes.”
“Can you get to the point already?” Mrs. Hutchinson complained. “I don’t need a biology lesson.”
“The point is, Bradley doesn’t understand this, and neither does Sam. But that doesn’t give Bradley the right to call Sam derogatory names such as big ugly ogre, beanstalk, and stupid giant.”
“He what?” Mr. Hutchinson asked, and then immediately snapped his head around to his wife in anger.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she immediately questioned. Mr. Hutchinson gnashed his teeth and composed himself. Wyatt and Rylee were sitting in confusion. They had yet a single word other than their greeting and Rylee’s initial animosity toward Bradley’s mother.
“I want to apologize for Bradley’s behavior sincerely,” Mr. Hutchinson began to say, but was cut off by his wife.
“Why are you apologizing!?”
“You need to shut up!” he shouted at her. Ms. Moore, Wyatt, and Rylee were stunned speechless. “This is your fault!”
“My fault!?”
“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson, what is happening?” Ms. Moore intervened before the two of them went to war with one another.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Moore. It seems that Bradley has developed some bad habits because of his mother and her inability to watch what she says around him,” Mr. Hutchinson said, immediately shifting blame to his wife.
“Seriously, what is y’all’s problem?” Rylee finally asked.
“That’s none of your business!” Mrs. Hutchinson shouted at Rylee.
“Caroline! Can you stop!?”
“Don’t tell me what to do, you cheating pompous jackass! You lost that right when you put your d*ck in my so-called best friend!” Wyatt and Rylee looked at one another, trying to see where their son had inherited his issues from.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson, do the two of you fight in front of Bradley like this?” Ms. Moore questioned in anger.
“How we handle our family affairs has nothing to do with—”
“Yes, Mrs. Hutchinson, it does!” Ms. Moore yelled. “The two of you acting like this in front of him is giving Bradley the impression that it’s okay to scream, shout, and call people names when he’s upset or angry. Or in your case, jealous,” Ms. Moore bluntly stated.
“I don’t have to sit here and take this!” Mrs. Hutchinson rose to her feet and attempted to leave, but Ms. Moore wasn’t having it.
“MRS. HUTCHINSON, SIT DOWN!” Bradley’s mother was shocked that a preschool would use that tone with her. “If you’re going to be avoidant and dismissive like a temper tantrum-throwing child, then that is how I’m going to treat you. Now, sit!” Ms. Moore sternly stated, pointing to the chair where Mrs. Hutchinson was sitting. She huffed and puffed angrily, but sat down without another word.
“Damn, I didn’t realize how scary she could be,” Rylee whispered to Wyatt. All he could do was nod in agreement.
“I mean, it is her classroom. That makes her the Alpha in here,” Wyatt muttered. Rylee nodded as well. Ms. Moore sighed in frustration.
“If the two of you are having marital problems, that’s your business, but that doesn’t give you the right to call each other names or be degrading in front of your young child. Are you unaware that children at Bradley’s age mirror our actions as adults? As his parents, he looks to you both for guidance. If he sees you being ugly to each other daily, calling each other names, and possibly even being physical, what do you think he's going to believe? Oh, my parents are fighting, this isn't good, and I shouldn’t be like them. Or will he believe it’s okay and start doing the same to his peers?” Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson didn’t say anything in response, but they both looked down at the floor in shame.
“Why does our son have to be caught up in your issues?” Rylee asked them with disgust. The two of you are older than Wyatt and me, and yet, you act like immature brats. Of course, your son is going to pick up your bad habits. And now my son is on the receiving end of this toxicity.”
“We really are sorry,” Mr. Hutchinson stated with genuine remorse.
“Save your apologies,” Rylee cut him off. “My son doesn’t even want to come to school anymore because of your son. I told him he could miss today because of your son practically tormenting him. Our children are three years old. The only thing they should care about is playing, having fun, getting dirty, and being loved. But if the two of you can’t even set aside your differences to love your son at home, then neither of you has the right to call yourselves parents.”
“I have to agree with my fiancée,” Wyatt stated. He looked at Mr. Hutchinson and shook his head. “You’re the man of the house, yet you’re immediately shifting blame to your wife. You’re the one who cheated. I can understand why your wife is hurt,” Wyatt stated.
“Thank you! You see—”
“Don’t thank me just yet, Mrs. Hutchinson,” Wyatt immediately interrupted. “Have you thought about what you did that would have warranted your husband being unfaithful?”
“What?”
“Men don’t cheat just to cheat,” Rylee chimed in. “As his wife, what have you done for him?” Mrs. Hutchinson was stunned, silent, eyes wide in shock, but completely dumbfounded.
“You’re both at fault. As Rylee stated, men don’t just cheat, and women don’t just get angry over nothing. Any issues between the two of you should be addressed privately. If you’re going to get divorced, then that is your prerogative, but don’t be nasty to each other in front of your son. Don’t make your fight with each other, his fight with the two of you, too,” Wyatt concluded.
“Mr. Valencia and Ms. Duquesne make an excellent point. Whatever your problems are, they have nothing to do with Bradley. Go to a marriage counselor, or find yourselves lawyers, but be kind to each other about it, no matter how hurt either one of you is. Bradley is an innocent bystander, and the two of you being toxic to each other right in front of him is going to shape him in ways that could have lasting repercussions,” Ms. Moore added.
Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson had nothing to retort. They looked at each other, ashamed of their behavior, but more so because they hadn’t taken the time to think about what their venomousness would do to their tender-aged son.
“If the two of you don’t love each other, that’s fine, but don’t take it out on your son by neglecting his needs. If anything, whatever love you don’t have for one another anymore, should be placed onto your son to shield him from his family breaking apart,” Wyatt stated.
The meeting eventually came to an end, and Mr. Hutchinson and his wife sincerely apologized to Wyatt and Rylee. Only this time, it wasn’t to save face, but because they genuinely meant it. They promised to talk with Bradley and instill in him that name-calling and being nasty to others wasn’t right, and that they would do better in front of him. They left first, while Wyatt and Rylee stayed behind with Ms. Moore.
Once they could sense the humans had left the premises, Ms. Moore sighed in utter aggravation.
“Why are humans like this?” she questioned.
“You’re a teacher, you tell us,” Rylee responded.
“Luna, I couldn’t understand humans even if I wanted to.”
“At least we got to the bottom of it. And we can also learn something from this,” Wyatt said to Rylee. She looked at him in confusion.
“What are you saying, Wyatt?”
“I’m saying, if we ever fight again in the future, then let’s promise never to do it in front of the kids.”
“But we rarely ever argue, let alone fight,” Rylee said.
“I know. But we’ve had our squabbles, and luckily, we’ve never had them in front of the pups. All I’m saying is, let's keep it that way,” Wyatt clarified. Rylee smiled and nodded.
“Alpha. Luna. Thank you for coming. I need to finish up here. I will see you two back at the packhouse,” Ms. Moore bowed her head. They smiled, nodded, and left as well.
“Hopefully, Bradley isn’t scarred for life,” Rylee said with concern.
“I think he’ll be okay. It’s not too late for him,” Wyatt responded with the utmost confidence.
- Writer
