The other teachers exchanged uncomfortable glances. One by one, they found excuses to leave, squeezing past Naomi with averted eyes until only Ms. Ror remained. "I was simply enforcing school policy," Ms. Ror said, attempting to regain her composure.
Perhaps if you'd been more present in your daughter's life. Don't. Naomi cut her off. Don't pretend this is about dress codes or my deployment. We both know better.
The air between them crackled with tension laden with an unspoken history. I don't know what you're implying, Ms. Ror replied, but her voice had lost its conviction. 8 Years ago, Naomi said quietly. Fort Benning.
Does that refresh your memory, Private Ror? Or did you think I wouldn't recognize you? Ms. Ror's face drained of color. You were in my training unit, Naomi continued.
Discharged after e multiple infractions and failing the basic qualifications three times. That was different, Ms. Ror whispered. You singled me out. You had it in for me from day one.
Because you couldn't follow simple orders, Naomi replied. And because you filed false reports about your black colleagues. Sound familiar? Ms. Ror set her cup down with shaking hands.
You can't prove anything. Not then. Not now. Naomi stepped closer. I don't need to prove it.
I lived it. And now so has my daughter. She leaned in, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper. This isn't over, Evelyn. Not by a long shot.
She turned to leave, then paused. One more thing. If you ever come near my daughter again, you'll learn exactly why my unit called me the hammer. As Naomi stroed toward the principal's office, memories surfaced from her military past. Evelyn Ror had been a problem from the first day of training, constantly undermining her black peers, claiming they received preferential treatment, filing complaints.
When she was corrected. After being discharged, she'd threatened to make them all pay someday. And now here she was wielding power over children instead of adults. The realization made Naomi's blood boil, but she kept her expression neutral as she approached Principal Wexley's office. His secretary attempted to stop her.
Do you have an appointment? Naomi didn't break stride. He'll see me. She opened Wexley's door without knocking. The principal looked up from his computer, irritation flashing across his face before recognition set in.