Page 20 of Precise Justice

“Loudly,” Gillian answered.

“We have a problem,” Warner said. “This Alex, her father is Harold Lane. He’s a senior partner of Rockford, Bass, a large, politically connected law firm,” Warner said.

“And he’s a big donor,” Sinclair said.

“Yes, he is,” Warner said.

Warner looked at a clock on the wall which gave the time as 3:55, five minutes until the bell.

“Debra, ask Robbie to come back in, please,” Warner told Gillian.

“Robbie,” Warner said, “bring your mother or father in with you tomorrow morning. You’re suspended until then.”

“Okay, it’s five minutes…”

“We know. Go on. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Warner told him.

Warner’s phone buzzed. He answered it, listened for a moment then said, “I’m sure she is. Yes, Alex can go.”

“That was Nurse Smith. Alex’s mother is here. She’s mad as hell. I’ll call his father and see if I can get him to come in. You and I will meet with him,” Warner told Sinclair. “I’ve met him. He seems reasonable enough. We’ll see.”

NINE

“Well, Robbie, how do you feel about that?” Professor Friedman asked.

“About what?” Robbie asked.

Robbie was at his biweekly session with his trans doctor, Phillip Friedman, psychiatry professor at the University of Minnesota Medical school.

“Breaking that trans boy’s nose,” Friedman answered.

Since day one of his transition period, Robbie, being very nonconfrontational, learned quickly to tell the doctor what he wanted to hear. Before he came in today, he knew this subject would come up. Robbie paused for a moment as if thinking about his answer.

“Robbie?” his mother said to prod him into answering.

“Very bad,” Robbie said. “I’ve never done anything like that. To hurt someone like that, it almost made me sick.”

Priscilla, Robbie’s mother, was sitting in, as usual. Robbie did not want her there, but the aggravation of telling her was not worth it.

“What a relief,” Priscilla said. “It’s been two days since it happened and she hasn’t said a word about it.”

“Is that true, Robbie? You have not talked to your parents about your inexcusable act of aggression?” Friedman asked.

Robbie looked at his mother who was smiling her phony smile at him. He then turned to Friedman and decided enough was enough.

“I don’t feel bad about it all. The dyke bitch was bullying me like she does other kids. When she pulled my hair, it hurt. So, I punched the dyke bitch. She had it coming. In fact, I’ve never felt better.”

“Robbie!” Priscilla almost yelled.

Robbie turned to Priscilla to continue. “The only thing I feel bad about was I only got to punch her once. If I hadn’t knocked her on her fat ass, I would’ve kept hitting her.

“There, you happy now? I’m the school hero. Everybody hates her and her sickening little twat friend.”

“Watch your language!” Priscilla said.

“I stood up for myself for the first time in my life and it felt good. I’d do it again,” Robbie told Friedman.

“Relax, it’s okay,” Friedman said. “Robbie, I’d like you to step out and wait in the reception area. I’d like to talk to your mother, please.”