The door to the principal’s office opened.
“Can I have a word with you, James?” Sharon asked.
“Sure. Stay here, and try not to piss off the secretary, Ryan. She’ll hurt you.”
Ryan didn’t move even as the door closed to the principal’s office.
“I’m really sorry about that,” he said. “I don’t know why I did it. I was wrong to have done it.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’re not going to be the first boy who has tried that with me, and I imagine you’re not going to be the last.”
She went back to humming as she completed the files for each student, putting them into the back as they were practice SAT scores. Every year the high school performed a set of practice questions to try and get the students ready for their actual tests. Once the scores were in, teachers then made sure to study the areas that students were failing in. Cora was putting those practice scores away into their files. Teachers could look at the files at any time, so long as they asked permission from Cora or Sharon.
“You know James?”
“Yes, I know him.”
“Do you like him?” Ryan asked.
Turing toward the young boy, she tilted her head to the side. “Yes, I like him.”
“You’re not asking me to get you a date with him or anything.”
Cora burst out laughing. “I don’t know who you’ve been hanging out with, Ryan. I’m not going to try and get a date with your friend. I promise. I’m very happy finding men to date myself. I don’t need to use anyone else.”
She was saved from any more questions when Sharon and James came out of the room. Cora watched them for a few seconds before going back to work.
“Come on then, tough guy, let’s get out of here.”
James moved toward her, gripping her elbow. “What’s up?” she asked, curious to know why he wanted to talk to her.
“I’ll be dropping by to see you tonight.”
“Is that right?” she asked, smiling.
“You betta believe it.”
Cora wasn’t going to complain. She looked forward to having him come over.
Shaking her head, she looked behind her at Ryan. “Take care of him.”
Cora really did care about the students who passed through her life. A lot of them didn’t have any real clue as to what life was like once they left high school.
“I will.”
She watched him leave then moved to stand by Sharon. “What was all that about?”
“Ryan’s mother couldn’t make it, and James is down as the next available contact.” Sharon looked exhausted and it wasn’t even lunchtime yet.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“How are things with Thomas?”
“They’re as good as they’re ever going to get right now. I don’t know. I shouldn’t talk about it.”
“Sharon,” Cora said, gripping her arm. “You do know you’ve got friends to talk about, right? I wouldn’t dream of spreading gossip around. You can trust me.”
Sharon’s eyes filled with tears. It was times like this when Cora wondered how Sharon ever got the job as principal. She was such a sweet young woman, caring, delicate, and this job didn’t accept much of those things anymore. Women needed to be tough and to show a no-nonsense attitude.
“I appreciate it. I just can’t talk about it right now.” Sharon tapped her hand, batting away the tears. “Now, I’ve got to get on about the delivery of three new computers. The money was donated for them, and now I want to see where the blasted things are.”
Cora laughed, watching Sharon leave to go back into her office. That was why Sharon got the job. She may be sweet, delicate, and caring, but she didn’t take any crap when it came to the care of the kids. Sharon wanted the best for the students, and she bent over backwards to get it.
****
“I wasn’t going to hurt that lady,” Ryan said.
James glanced across the car toward him. “I know you wouldn’t. If you had, I’d have beaten the shit out of you. You’re sixteen, Ryan. You know better than to try shit like that. We never hurt a woman like that, or threaten her.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“I mean it, Ryan. The club doesn’t accept bullies. You want to be a bully then go and find another town to do that shit in. Last time we talked you told me you wanted to be a patched in member. I don’t allow bullies in my club. We’re men, we accept our responsibilities, and we work damned hard, do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Cora’s off limits. You treat her with respect.”