Caged Nightingale

Sarah- 7 years later

I want to murder him. That smile on his face offends me in every single way. He's still ranting but I've stopped listening. Instead I'm sat ram rod straight in my seat. Schooling my face. The way I was taught to.
I can tell the head is waiting for an opening. Every few minutes he shifts his eyes to me in apology. Patience stretched tight across his face.
"We choose this school because it's supposed to be one of the best. Clearly the standards have dropped" he says to the head without looking at me. But the pause is implication enough.
I don't react. Instead I look ahead past the head out the window. It's oppressively hot outside. Sweltering. Some students are waving their hockey sticks around- thankfully practice is over.
"I mean every child has the right to come to school and feel safe. This kind of behaviour is just outrageous! No civilised human acts like this! Clearly this student is troubled and not receiving the guidance he needs at home."  At this, he pause's purposefully to ensure the intended offence is felt by me.  
"Our son has an immaculate record. He has never been in trouble before. I'm sure you can understand the severity of this situation. If other parents were to find out what happened. Well.." his wife is all groomed and perfect hair, immaculate makeup and designer heels, she's come prepared for war. Just as fierce as her husband.
The head is uneasy, I see him shift in his seat. His eyes shift to mine, then hastily back to the other boy's parents. These comments are.. exactly as intended: offensive. They're not here to de-escalate or to talk things out. They're here for blood. They're here to get what they want: my son out of the school.
I say nothing. Training my face to look passive. It's a skill I learned a long time ago but haven't really had to use in a while. I sit stoically half listening to them.
"Mrs khan, would you like to say something?" Says the head, in a feeble attempt to rebalance the situation a little or at least give the appearance of doing so.
I pause, let the silence stretch out a little. It was a trick my father taught me. Give the impression that you still have control of the game. Make them wait for it. I take a deep breath, as if I'm making a choice. They will mistake it as resignation, I'm sure of it.
"I can see that Raees's parents are.... Frustrated. Concerned, about the welfare of their son. Understandably so given the circumstances." Here I pause. I don't turn to look at them sat beside me. Instead I look ahead and catch the smugly satisfied expression pass between them in the window reflection. " i am in agreement with you about school being no place for violence. Similarly I am sure you would agree Principle Sanders that it no place for thinly veiled threats and offensive language. I mean we are living in civilised society after all. Even those who seem to act like they have recently joined it." I pause again. Waiting for my words to sink in. "I'm sure you will also agree that school is no place for sexual harassment. I would be more concerned to find out why the fight happend in the first place. What could possibly have lead to a fight between two model students.  In fact,  I was curious to get to the bottom of it myself. You'll be interested to find I have seen numerous watsapp messages sent from  Reese's phone to my daughters. On some occasions up to 10 a day. There are a few photos too. One sent at 2am.
I can provide you with the screen shots, and the governing body of the school ofcourse, should you deem it necessary to understand further the context in which this fight took place and ofcourse more importantly the suitably of students currently on role at the school. I mean if we really wish to safeguard our children against corruptive influences, then we should dig out the bad apples before it's took late. I meant it's quite informative isn't it . Data like that- about the way Reece is being parented. Wouldn't you say?"
I turn to face Reece's parents for the first time. The flash of worry in their eyes is gone but they do turn a few shades paler. Yes they know that their fuckwit of a son - is a bully. Worse: a perverted one. They've known all along- otherwise why would they try to deflect and shift the blame on to Amer.
"I mean a broken nose and a couple of broken ribs  isn't so bad, compared to a school inquiry. I mean: what will the parents say when they find out?" At this point I take out a sheet of paper and place it on the principle's desk. It's a printed screen shot of a conversation between Reese and another student at the school.

Reese: Who doesn't like it a bit rough. I like it more when they fight you. It's more fun that way.
G-man: That's head fucked man!
Reese: Nah, that's clever. They cry and scream, but they never tell anyone. Not one.

"This is the tip of the ice burge principle sanders. He goes on to name. Students, times, places! This is public information. It's not exclusive to us reading it right now. Information that is out there in the school community!"
I take out another sheet

Stud x:give it up man! She's not interested!
Reese: nah! This is too much fun. Im gonna defile that little bitch. Fuck the pride right out of her. I'll send you a video to beat off to later! Let's see her stand for  student president then!

I stand and turn to Reese's parents "You've got till the end of the day to withdraw your son and take him off school roll. After that.. well let's just say it won't be an issue any more!" Pause "That's a very generous offer, we wont make it again. don't make the mistake of letting your pride get the better of you here!"
Principal Sanders stumbles to his feet. "Mrs Khan" he says solemnly and walks me to the door.
"Please keep me updated. I'll expect a call at 3.10 sharp to confirm the details. After that, we can put this terrible business behind us."
He nods vigorously "thank you for coming in" he says . What he actually means is thanks for not letting your husband know.
I look over my shoulder at Reese's parents "I trust you will deal with this efficiently." I say in a low tone.
"Ofcourse!" He says quietly.
I put on my sun glasses and walk out of the school like I own it. Just like my dad taught me.