The Hitting Zone

Saturday night's dinner was not only filling, but it was comforting. With the Atkins, Mr. Duncan, and Dr. Moore, we had a full table. Over the course of the night, the adults started to plan what was to be said to the school board on Sunday night. It even seemed like Mrs. Atkins was excited to go.

Sunday morning, after breakfast, Zeke kept his promise and took us to the cages. The twins decided to stay at home to work on their pitching, they claimed, yet they were still in their pajamas when we left them. It didn't matter to me and Noah though. We just enjoyed the free cages and hit to our hearts content. Noah was particularly happy since he got the opportunity to freely work on his new grip with the bat. To me, he looked more stable and seemed to connect with the ball more.

Zeke was also nice enough to treat us to lunch even though that wasn't included beforehand. Noah repaid in kind by paying for his entry for mini golf. Which was also fun, but Zeke easily crushed us. Finally, we headed home and cleaned up.

It was time to go to the meeting with the school board. Mrs. Atkins had all of dress nicely and even made Noah brush his hair and didn't allow him to wear his baseball hat.

We took the family car, squeezing everyone in, and headed to the school. The meeting was to be held in the gymnasium, on the basketball court. We arrived and filed in, coming across strangers and familiar faces. I was surprised to see Coach Wilcox, Mr. Miller, and a few of the players on the team sitting in the bleachers of the gym. Zeke and the twins went up to join the team as coach came down.

He handed Mr. Atkins a few sheets of paper. "These are Jake's stats from the few games he's played in. Just in case it comes up."

"Thanks." Mr. Atkins flipped through the sheets. "You put a lot of effort in this for us. I appreciate it."

Coach laid a heavy hand on my shoulder. "Jake is undeniably good at hitting. It can't be disputed. I hate seeing a counselor interfering with sports when a player isn't even struggling academically." He gave me a smile. "Jake, you made the team fair and square. I personally presided over your tryout. If baseball comes up in today's meeting, I've got your back."

"Thank you." I said, sincerely.

He gave an extra pat, nodded at us, then went back up the stands to join the team.

"You should join them Noah." His mom said. "Only us, Jake, and George will be allowed at the main table."

Noah frowned, unhappy with the thought. "It's not like you sit at the table the whole time. Where will Mr. Duncan and Dr. Moore sit? Where will you guys sit before going up? What if Jake needs me to help communicate his point across?"

Mr. Atkins smiled. "Don't worry. We'll be right there. Jake won't have to do any of the talking. We have George to speak for us."

"Let me just stay with you guys until you get called up." Noah demanded.

Mrs. Atkins sighed, but let a smile play on her lips. "Fine. We're sitting in the very front until called. The others will sit there too so I guess one more won't be too noticeable."

"How could I be 'noticeable' in this crowd?" Noah gestured to the steady stream of people flowing in. It was mostly parents, but there were a few students. "Is this how many people usually show up to school board meetings?"

Mrs. Atkins smile turned into a smirk. "Not usually, but this is a special unannounced meeting. Which means even less might have made it since it was so last minute. But don't doubt this mom." She gestured at herself. "I'm on the pta. Summoning parents with a single text can be considered my special skill. Parents will always be concerned when it comes to the health and education of our children. Imagine their surprise when both were in jeopardy due to supervising neglect."

Noah rolled his eyes. "All I heard, was that you're a mom nerd and can call on other mom nerds."

All I heard was 'our' children. Like she was claiming me as one of her own. Not only did she treat me as one of her own, but now she was outright claiming me. My face felt flushed.

After a couple of minutes of chatting amongst ourselves, the other adults in my life started to show up. Mr. Duncan was first, looking as tired as always, but he assured me that after today, Jane Golladay wouldn't be present in my life. Dr. Moore appeared next, looking different without a pen and notepad in hand. He didn't make a big promise like Mr. Duncan, but instead told me that I shouldn't take this to heart. It was normal to come across angry people every now and then. They have their own reasons and it's better to just face them head on.

George Pickens, the lawyer, was the last one to show up in the group. Despite that, he looked the most ready. He was in a three-piece suit on a Sunday evening, and a briefcase in hand. He didn't speak to me directly like the others did, probably knowing that I was uncomfortable with strangers.

With the group all together, we sat in the first row of the bleachers facing the basketball court. At half court, a long table with five black leather chairs faced us and those present. In between us and that, was another table of the same size but with normal metal folding chairs. Except the metal chairs had its backs to the crowd.

It was only a few minutes wait before five figures filed into the gym and took the seats facing the crowd. The one in the center stayed standing and clapped his hands twice to gather everyone's attention. "Good evening everybody and thank you for joining us in this last minute school board meeting."

The crowd quieted down and became more settled, focus on the five before us.

"I'm board member, Gerald Cole. To your far left is Amanda Jimenez. Then Rob Graham. On the other side we have Sally Massey at the end, and Harold Tate beside me." The older man spoke clearly and in a raised voice so everyone could hear him. "Today's meeting only has one item on the agenda. And that is to suggest the removal of Jane Golladay from her position at Watsonville High School."

A few murmurs broke out in the crowd, raising the volume within the gym.

Gerald Cole cleared his voice. "First up, we'll hear from Mrs. Mary Atkins. You and your family may sit at table before you."