October 1975:
Principal: “Let’s get to the point. Your son beat up one of his classmates during recess yesterday.”
Tommy’s Father: “He did?”
Principal: “Yes. The child in question, Milo Kazakis, got not one but two black eyes.”
Tommy’s Father: “Is this true, Tommy? Did you really beat him up?”
Tommy: “Yes sir.”
Tommy’s Father: “Why’d you do it?”
Tommy: “ ’Cause he grabbed my butt.”
Principal: “You sure that’s what happened, Tommy?”
Tommy: [No response.]
Principal: “Because I talked with the other students there and—”
Tommy: “He did it when no one was lookin’. He’s a fag.”
Principal: “Watch your language, Tommy.”
Tommy: “Sorry, ma’am.”
Tommy’s Father: “Now, now, wait, what if this Milo kid actually is a, you know?”
Principal: “We have no proof of that. And even if he is—”
Tommy’s Father: “My son doesn’t lie. If he says this kid grabbed his butt, then that’s what really happened. Isn’t that right, Tommy?”
Tommy: “Yes sir.”
Tommy’s Father: “Tommy’s was just defending himself.”
Principal: “A little too much, it seems.”
Tommy’s Father: “He’s an energetic boy.”
Principal: “Right. As for Milo—”
Tommy’s Father: “Send him to a girls’ school, ha ha.”
Tommy’s Mother: “Ha ha.”
Copyright © 2018 by David V. Matthews
revised February 1, 2019
DAVID V. MATTHEWS 