Page 76 of Pride High 3: Yellow

“Eloquence?” Anthony suggested. “Or maybe finesse?”

“See what I mean?” Joe said, gesturing at him with a broad smile. “The kid gets straight As. He’s a thinker, like his mother.”

“Yes,” Preckwinkle said after clearing her throat. “I see the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The issue here, Mr. Cullen, is not how proud you are of your son’s academic achievements, but how he openly disregards the rules and has no respect for authority figures.”

Joe shook his head. “We’ve never had much trouble from him. In fact, this is the first time I’ve had to show up at his school like this. Can we talk about the real issue here?” He nodded across the table at Graham. “This kid attacked my son. What are you gonna do about it?”

“Nothing, considering the circumstances,” Preckwinkle replied.

“Nothing?” Joe turned to Graham’s father. “I don’t see a scratch on your boy. I’ve been in a few fights, and I bet you have too. Does that seem right? The other guy usually gets a few licks in, no matter how fast he goes down.”

Mr. Fowler crossed his arms over his chest. “There was a lot of commotion. I’m not convinced Graham hit anyone. That doesn’t sound like him to me.”

“Really?” Anthony demanded. “This is the guy who painted ‘fag’ on my locker in great big capital letters. Doesthatsound like your son? Because it should. He’s a bully!”

“He did that?” Joe asked in shock.

“Prove it,” Mr. Fowler said. “Evidence is required for a conviction. In fact, if you insist on spreading this allegation, then I recommend hiring a lawyer. Take that as legal advice, because as an attorney, the law is my occupation, and I’ll bring the full force of it against you.”

“I’m tremblin’ in my boots,” Joe replied with an eyeroll. “Just don’t plan on calling the fire department the next time your house goes up in flames, because that’smyoccupation.”

Anthony felt a swell of affection for his father, which wasn’t so unusual. His parents were awesome.

“Maybe we should try the police,” Anthony said, touching his cheek, which was really beginning to throb. “I wonder what they’d be more upset about: this bruise, or my article.”

“Hey, that’s a good point!” Joe said.

“Perhaps it’s time for the children to return to class,” Principal Preckwinkle murmured. “The adults will take it from here.”

“Don’t worry, son,” Joe assured him. “I know how your mother would react to this situation, and that’s all the guidance I need.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

The security guard was summoned to escort Anthony back to class, like he was some sort of dangerous criminal, but his spirits remained high. Especially with his father in the ring fighting for him. Although as the day wore on, he began to worry less about himself, and more about who would advocate for Mr. Finnegan.

CHAPTER 13

March 12th, 1993

Ricky forced himself to face the rows of gym lockers as he changed into his PE uniform, even though he wanted nothing more than to spin around and watch Diego do the same. Instead he listened to the voices around him, which became fewer and fewer until only Graham Fowler and one of his dumb friends remained.

“She’s got the biggest tits of any senior,” Graham was saying. “Even if she is kind of ugly. I might make a move.”

“Do it, dude,” his friend said after guffawing. “Just make sure I’m there so I can watch you crash and burn.”

“Yeah, yeah…” Graham’s voice sounded more distant, whatever he said next too difficult to hear clearly.

Ricky finally glanced around. They were alone. He turned to his boyfriend, who was leaning against the lockers wearing nothing but the skimpy standard-issue gym shorts, a matching T-shirt trapped in his fist.

“Are you so turned on that it pisses you off or something?” Diego asked.

Ricky realized he was scowling and forced himself to relax. “I hate that guy,” he said, tilting his head in the direction that Graham had gone. “He’s the reason that Anthony got detention.”

“Huh,” Diego said, looking in the same direction. “Maybe he’s not so bad after all.”

“It’s not funny! Graham’s been picking on Anthony for being gay. Like I am.”

Diego bared his teeth. “I’ll kick his ass if tries that on you.”