Teaching Aleck (The Last Hangman MC #2)(42)

While I don’t care about the rumors they are spreading, talking about it with kids around just isn’t right. I’m about to say something to them, but Charline beats me to it.

I send Ally to play with her friend before school starts.

“I don’t care who you two think you are. You do NOT talk negatively about another parent, much less in front of children and even less in front of said person’s child.” They try to stop her, but she’s on a roll. “We have an anti-bullying program starting this year. Maybe I should make you two sign the guidelines. It sounds like you need some education on the subject. Sure, his style is out of the norm to you, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy. He’s just bringing his daughter to school like you are, and while he’s not a lawyer or a dentist, that doesn’t make him a bad person. Go complain to the principal if you want, I don’t care. I will never ever tolerate anyone talking derogatively about someone else. Be it children or adults. You’re warned and I will not tolerate this.” She glares at them, right then I just want to grab her and kiss the shit out of her.

Other parents found a better way to thank her. They start to applaud her. I can’t help but join in.

“This is unacceptable! I’m going to go talk to the principal and you’ll be fired on the spot! I’m one of the donators of this school, you really are in trouble,” the first mom retorts.

“Be my guest. At least I’ll go down knowing I put up a fight against people who are supposed to be supporting the anti-bullying campaign, but instead are the ones breaking it. Go on.” The woman makes big gestures at an older man walking towards us. “Well, we’ll see who gets in trouble. Principal Jorvis. Your new teacher has been yelling at me. It shouldn’t be allowed to have such rude teachers, especially for our children. She shouldn’t be allowed to work in a school. It’s no place for such a foul mouth!”

“Miss Dane, I’ll see you in my office during recess.” The woman smirks. “Anybody else got something to add?” And to everyone’s surprise, quite a few people raise their hand. “What happened here?” He shakes his head.

Charline sighs. “They were badmouthing Mr. Sanford, spreading rumors on his reputation that, as far as, I know haven’t been proven to be true, in front of children. We’re starting the anti-bullying campaign and they are on the school council, which approved the campaign, yet they are just going against what they voted for. Everybody likes a bit of gossip, I’ll be the first to admit it, but to talk about alleged things in relation to what he does in his free time shouldn’t be brought on school grounds. I told her my opinion, she didn’t appreciate it and wanted to talk to you. I felt like they needed to be reminded that children listen and will most likely repeat what they hear. It might not seem hurtful to them, but the real victim in all of this is his daughter, Ally. He’s a grown man, he can take two women talking negatively about him, but his daughter might not appreciate hearing rumors about her dad. Even worse, the other children could repeat it to her and single her out for it. I know I wouldn’t. You want to fire me? Fine, but trust me, I will not go down without a fight and these two won’t be on the council anymore by the time I’m done.”

Everybody is shocked into silence, me first. I f*cking love her!

Fuck…

Yes.

I.

Love.

Charline.

Fuck me sideways.

“Mr. Sanford, is this true.”

“Yes. Unfortunately.”

Other parents chime in to agree with Charline and I’m left speechless. Nobody ever stood up for me like that and other people agreeing. It’s such an amazing and warming feeling to know that she would risk her job, her dream job, for me.

“Great…Miss Dane, I’ll still see you in my office during recess, but you’re not in trouble don’t worry. Mrs. Dorval, if I were you, I’d stop thinking I’m untouchable because I’m on the council. I’ll talk to the other board members and decide what will be done. This is a warning. Do not spread rumors about the other parents. I have had a long talk with Mr. Sanford, and while he knows I don’t agree with a motorcycle club lifestyle, I’m not going to stop his daughter from getting the education she deserves. Anyone else has a problem with him having his daughter in our lovely school?” He looks at everybody intently and not a single person raises their hand. “Good, now I’m sure you all have jobs you need to go to and we have a school to run so everybody go say goodbye to your children and get on with your day.” He walks back inside.

Things quickly die down and all the parents say goodbye to their kids. I walk over to Ally and hug her. “Daddy will pick you up at the end of the school day okay? Today is a longer day, but you’ll be okay, and if anything happens Miss Charline can call me and either me or Rose will come and get you okay?” I smile at her.

“Yes, Daddy. I love you.” She hugs me tightly.

“I love you too, Pumpkin.” I kiss her head and walk her to class.

Unfortunately, I don’t have much time to talk to Charline, but I need to thank her. I walk to her and kiss the corner of her mouth, making sure no kids are watching before. “Thank you Line. You have no idea how much what you said to everybody means to me.”

“It’s effing normal.”

“No, you risking your job for me isn’t normal, but it really makes me happy.” I can’t help grinning at her using her version of the f-word.