Out Foxed by Haley Walsh

Author:Haley Walsh [Walsh, Haley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance Suspense
ISBN: 9781608208104
Google: -USuNAEACAAJ
Amazon: 1608208109
Publisher: MLR Press
Published: 2012-11-15T12:01:55+00:00

“Hector!”

“Mr.

Flores.”

Skyler

tamped

down

his

indignation. This wasn’t about him. It was about Rick. “Rick is at a time in his life when he is just discovering who he is. And he found someone special to him at school. That’s important, too. You take that away and there may be consequences.”

“Is that what you call it? ‘Someone special’?”

Skyler bristled. “Yes, that’s what I call it. I could also say that Alex Ryan was Rick’s boyfriend, but you didn’t seem ready to hear that.”

Mrs. Flores made a shrieking sound and took out a well-used tissue from her sleeve, pressing the wad to her nose.

“Look, whether you want this or not, it is a reality. Rick is gay. He was born that way. He found someone special to him. Is that such a crime?”

“He never would have had those thoughts if it hadn’t been for you and that Coach Fletcher.”

“You know that’s ridiculous. What I did—whether it was inappropriate or not for a school dance—has nothing to do with your son being gay.

Your son had the courage of his convictions to do what he thought was right. I wish I was as brave as he is.”

Mrs. Flores stopped snuffling and looked up.

“Eh? You wish you were as brave as our Rick?”

“Yes. I don’t think it’s much of a secret that the School Board didn’t find that school dance stunt very appealing. They’ve called a meeting about it for Tuesday. At least Rick had the courage to face things I couldn’t. He started the Gay-Straight Alliance at school, a place where gay kids can get encouragement and support. A place where straight kids offer that support. A place I was too afraid to go myself.”

Rosa Flores cocked her head. “Are they going to fire you? Just for dancing?”

“Well, as you and your husband pointed out, you don’t feel our conduct was becoming a teacher, and I’m sure a lot of other parents feel the same way.

They’ve been picketing the school this week. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“That doesn’t change anything,” said Mr. Flores.

“Rick’s going to Sacred Heart. He’ll learn that what he’s doing, what he’s thinking is a sin. They’ll change him.”

“I’m not Catholic, Mr. Flores, so I can’t comment on your faith, but all I know from others is that this will push him away from his faith, not toward it. It’s like telling you that your hair is the wrong color.

You can dye it but it’s still black underneath. He can’t change who he is and it will only get worse for him if you push this.”

“Who are you to come here into my house and tell me this?”

“Just… a concerned teacher. And a gay man. And I know what he’s going through. Look, I try to live my life as best I can, hurting as few people as I can.

All I want to do is leave this earth better for my having been here. Isn’t that all anyone can expect to do?”

Hector shook his head, but his expression was pained. “But if we send him back to Polk High,” he said quietly, “that boy will still be there at the school.

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