by Max Vos
“You do realize that we’ve got six more weeks don’t you?” Adam chuckled.
“Yeah, I know. I just wanted everything ready. Thanksgiving is next week and I thought it would be nice if the family could see it all done when they come for dinner.”
“That’s so sweet, hun.” Adam kissed J.J. on top of the head.
“I think that about does it. The nursery is finished.” J.J. sighed heavily. “Now we wait.”
Adam stood there holding the love of his life in his arms and admiring their work in turning the smallest of the spare rooms into a nursery, when the timer from the kitchen started beeping.
“That’ll be the pumpkin cheesecake,” J.J. said, stepping out of Adam’s arms.
“You didn’t by any chance make two of those, did ya?”
“Yes, and keep your fingers out of both of them. One is for the school lunch tomorrow and one is for Thanksgiving.”
Adam huffed. “Seems it would have been easier just to pick something up, if you ask me. Especially with that old witch, Grace Griffin, heading it up.”
J.J. pulled the dense cake from the oven. “All the more reason to do it. I’m not going to let that hateful old woman keep me—us—from participating. Besides, there are more people on our side than in their little clique.”
“So you’re going to all this trouble to prove a point?”
J.J. took a moment before answering. “No, not making a point, really. More like showing everyone that we are a married couple, just like Danielle and Matt are a married couple. They work in the same school, just like we do, and they are accepted. Besides, like I said, most accept us just fine.”
“Then why is it there is always so much tension in the lunchroom?”
“Yeah, that is really getting old.” J.J. put the aromatic cheesecake on a cooling rack on the breakfast bar. “It really is just Grace and her cronies. There are times I just want to slap those stupid half-glasses right off her pointy nose.”
“Wow. I’ve never heard you … so worked up about her, babe.”
“Well, she just pisses me off with her holier than thou attitude.” J.J. turned to Adam and began poking him the chest with his oven-mitted finger. “And if you think that I’m going to just fade into the background, and let us be treated like second class citizens, you’re wrong.”
The more J.J. poked him the more tickled Adam became. When J.J. finally finished his tirade, Adam was outright laughing.
“What is so damn funny?” J.J. glared at him, hands on his hips.
“Hun, it’s hard to take you serious when you’re poking me with that turkey on your hand.”
J.J. looked down at his new oven mitts. One was a brightly colored Thanksgiving turkey and the other a Pilgrim. He then looked up at Adam, who was still laughing and couldn’t help but start himself.
“Okay…” J.J. poked him one more time and made a gobble-gobble noise. “Now I’m going to put this mac-n-cheese in the oven. Before you even ask, I did make extra. We’ll have it for dinner.”
“Oh yum, my fave.” Adam gave him a peck on the cheek. “I need to go over to Ma’s and see what she wants. Said something about getting stuff down from that attic.”
“Probably her big wreath. I remember putting it up there, along with her other holiday stuff.”
“Probably right.” Adam put on his jacket. “How long before dinner?”
“About an hour. See if Mom and Thad have anything going for dinner. If not, invite them. There’s plenty.”
“Okay, babe. Love ya.”
J.J. looked over his shoulder and said, “Gobble-gobble,” cracking both of them up all over again.
* * * * *
“Oh my, who made that beautiful cheesecake?” Libby Blankenship, the school librarian asked. J.J.’s ears perked up at the mention of his name.
“Pfft, that Jon Jones. I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole.” Grace Griffin looked down her nose over her half-glasses at her friend.
Susan Scott, the senior English teacher, stopped before picking up a piece of the pumpkin cheesecake. “Grace, why don’t you just shut the hell up? People are sick and tired of your crap.”
Grace stood up straight and squared her shoulders. “I’m a good church going Christian, I’ll have you know, and the bible clearly states that homosexuality is an abomination. My pastor said the bible even says they should be put to death!” Her voice was almost a shriek by the time she finished.
“Ever since Dr. Jones and Coach Sutton got married, you’ve had your panties in such a twist it’s making everyone else uncomfortable. Just get over it.” Susan put her plate down on the table and folded her arms. “Okay, Grace, you want to quote scripture, then let’s quote it. You first.”
“Well, I don’t know which… I know I have read it, I just don’t remember where right off hand.” Grace flinched.
“Okay, did you also read that divorced women should be stoned to death?”
A hush had fallen over the small crowd around the buffet table, all watching the two teachers.
When Grace didn’t respond, Susan continued. “Didn’t you say just last month that your daughter had recently gotten a divorce? I’m sure you did.” Susan paused, letting that sink in. “Would you be willing to cast the first stone at your own daughter, Grace?”
“I don’t remember ever reading that,” Grace said haughtily. “I can’t believe—”
“What, Grace? Can’t believe what? That something like that is in the bible? Well it is. You can’t just pick parts of the bible like an à la carte menu. If you are willing to put two men to death, who obviously love and care for each other, but are not willing to sacrifice your own divorced daughter because the bible says so, then that makes you a hateful hypocrite. You can’t have it both ways. So which is it, Grace?”
Libby Blankenship, who had been standing there, witnessing the whole confrontation, looked at her friend Grace. In a small, quiet voice she said, “She’s right, Grace. This has gone on long enough. You’re wrong on this one.”
“Libby Blankenship, you mean to tell me—”
“I mean to tell you that hate is not a Christian belief, Grace.” Libby regarded at her friend sadly.
Somewhere from behind them a single person started clapping. It wasn’t but a few seconds later that most of the other teachers and faculty also started applauding. Grace Griffin’s face was bright red when she turned on her heel and left the teacher and faculty lounge.
“Way to go, Susan,” someone called out.
The applause became louder before dying off.
“Libby, would you like a piece of this lovely looking pumpkin cheesecake?” Susan asked, smiling.
“Yes. I believe I would. I’ve heard Dr. Jones is a wonderful cook.”
“Had I not seen in with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Matt Mitton said. “Libby and Grace have been thick as thieves for as long as I can remember.”
Adam chuckled. “Like my mother always said, ‘Love always wins’.
“You have a very wise mother, Adam.” Danielle Mitton smiled. “And this cheesecake is to die for, J.J.”
J.J. took a slight bow. “Why thank you, kind lady.”
“Excuse me, please,” Adam said. He dumped his empty paper plate in the trash and left the room.
* * * * *
“Where did you run off to after lunch?” J.J. asked as he drove Thad, Adam, and himself home. Normally, they didn’t ride together, but since it was the last day before Thanksgiving, and there was no football practice, it just made sense. Besides, J.J. was happy to have extra hands that morning to hold the food that he’d made for the pot luck lunch.
“I went to see Grace.” Adam sat there stone faced, looking forward.
“Uhhh…What for?” J.J. asked, surprised.
Adam shrugged his shoulder. “Just trying to do the right thing. Peacemaking, I guess.”
“And how’d that work out?” J.J. sounded skeptical. He’d known people like Grace Griffin before. They always seemed to hold onto their
beliefs before accepting him.
“It was sad really. She was crying at her desk.”
“She hates me.” Thad’s voice was barely above a whisper from the back seat.
J.J. pulled the car over and looked back at him. “Has she done anything to you?”
“No. That’s the problem. It’s like I don’t even exist,” Thad explained. “She never calls on me in class, even if I’m the only one holding up my hand. I think she also grades me lower than I deserve.”
“Are you sure about that?” Adam was also looking over the seatback. “That’s a pretty strong accusation there, Thad.”
“I’m pretty sure. Stacy Pettus, who sits next to me, got an ‘A’ on a paper that was full of grammatical errors, and I only got a ‘B’. I know my paper was better than hers. But then again, she also goes to the same church as Mrs. Griffin.”
J.J. and Adam glanced at each other.
“Why are you just now saying something, Thad?” Adam asked.
Thad looked out the window. “She goes to the same church my parents do. I figured, why bother?”
“What did she say to you today, in her classroom?” J.J. asked Adam.
Adam hesitated a moment. “Nothing. She wouldn’t speak to me. Just waved me off.”
J.J. peered in the rearview mirror and then his side mirror before doing a U-turn in the middle of the street.
“What are you doing?” Adam asked. “Are you—”
“You know exactly what I’m doing. It's one thing to ignore us, or pick on us—we’re adults. It isn’t right for a teacher to bully or single out a student. I for one won’t tolerate it.” J.J. glanced over at his husband. “I don’t expect you to come in, but Thad and I are going to deal with this right now. If she is purposefully lowering his grade, that could hurt his chances at a good scholarship.”
“I’ll be right behind you, babe.” Adam was quiet for a moment. “I sure hope that’s not the case. I’d hate to think any teacher would do that.”
“Yeah, they do it, all right.” Thad was no longer talking quietly, but was almost shouting. “I’ve dealt with this my whole life and I’m getting sick of it. That fucking church is always screwing with my life and… and…”
J.J. looked in the rearview mirror at Thad, about to chastise him for cursing when he saw the kid’s face. “We’re going to deal with this, Thad. I promise.”
Adam glanced over the back seat to also see Thad, tears about to fall, his face flushed.
J.J. checked the mirror again and was glad to see that the young man looked angry more than anything else. This was a major step. Thad had all but given up when he had found him on that park bench almost a year ago.
It only took a minute to get back to the school. J.J. was hoping the principal was still there. He led the way into the school, going in the front door, the closest to the Admin. Center. As the three of them entered the office, he saw the principal, Mr. Carl Andersen, getting ready to walk out.
“Well hello, gentlemen. I though everyone had already left,” he said jovially. “Fantastic dishes you brought, Dr. Jones. Maybe you’d care to share the mac-n-cheese one with my wife.”
“Sure, Carl. Be happy to.” J.J. cleared his throat. “Carl, can we step into your office? I’m sorry, I know you’re just as anxious to leave as everyone else, but we have a problem.”
Principal Andersen’s face dropped, his jovial expression gone. “This can’t wait?”
“No, Sir, it can’t,” Adam chimed in.
“Of course,” Carl Andersen said, turning around and unlocking his office door. “Come in, come in.”
After sitting and waving to the chairs in front of his desk he asked, “What seems to be the problem?”
J.J. repeated what Thad had told him. “If this is true, then I insist this be dealt with before the end of this grading period.”
Principal Andersen looked at Thad. “These are very serious accusations you are making, Mr. St. George. I want you to think very carefully before we agree to move forward with this.”
“It’s true!” Thad blurted out.
“Okay,” Carl Andersen replied, his hands held up in front of him. “Thad, I know you’re one of our best students. Actually, you’re very close to the top one-percent. Let me look at something.”
Principal Andersen booted up the computer sitting on his desk. Once he had signed in, he typed on the keyboard for a moment. “Here we go, let’s have a look, shall we? Yep, all high grades. Consistent—” He stopped abruptly. “All consistent ‘A’s’ except for Mrs. Griffin’s class.” His head jerked up, a scowl on his face as he studied the three men in front of him. “I assure you, I will have this looked into. Thad, what grade did you finish with last year in this subject?”
“I had an ‘A’, sir,” he answered proudly.
Principal Andersen nodded, then started writing on a notepad next to his mouse pad which had a picture of the front of the high school on it. “Gentlemen, I hope I can trust that this stays between us until I can further investigate. We do have to consider Mrs. Griffin’s reputation as well as that of the school.”
“Of course, Carl. I’m sure you will find the truth. I would like to be kept in the loop on this,” J.J. said as he stood up, reaching across the desk to shake Carl’s hand.
“Sure thing, Jon.” Principal Andersen shook first J.J.’s hand then Coach’s. “Young man,” the principal said, extending his hand to Thad. “I know how hard you work, it is obvious from your records. If there is any… indiscretion, I assure you it will be dealt with.”
“Thank you, Mr. Andersen,” Thad responded, smiling. “It helps that someone believes me.”
Principal Andersen nodded. “Now, why don’t we all enjoy our break away from school and not think of this unpleasantness till it's time to return, huh?” Carl Andersen’s face had returned to that jovial expression he’d had when they first walked in. “I know I for one am going to.”
“Carl, thanks for your time. Hate that we kept you,” Adam said as he held the outer office door open for J.J. and Thad.
“Not a problem, Coach.” He closed his office door and locked it. “I’ll see you when we get back.”
* * * * *
“You’re late,” Maggie said as Thad walked in.
“Sorry, Maggie. Had school stuff.”
“That’s okay. Here’s a glass of milk and some lemon bars.”
“Wow, thanks.” Thad took the plate and glass from her. “I’m going to go ahead and get this homework done now, so I don’t have to worry about it while on break.”
“That’s a good idea.” Maggie smiled before putting the milk back in the refrigerator.
“Hey, Ma. How’s the most beautiful gal in town?” Adam said, walking in the door, picking up his mother, and kissing her on both cheeks.
“Adam, I wish you’d quit picking me up. One of these days you’re gonna break one of my ribs or something.”
“Yes, Ma.”
“Hey, Mom,” J.J. said as he also kissed her cheek.
“Here, J.J., I want you to try one of these. I just got this recipe. Not sure if I like it or not.”
“What are they?” J.J. asked, taking one of the proffered treats.
“Lemon bars. They’re supposed to be healthy. Didn’t want to load Thad up with a bunch of junk, but something nice for after school.”
“Where’s mine?” Adam asked.
“Oh good Lord, son… here.” Maggie gave him one on a paper towel.
J.J. took a bite and looked at her puzzled. “Ugh, what’s in this?”
“Yep, that's what I thought.” Maggie glared disgustedly at the platter of the freshly baked goods “Reminds me of sugary sawdust with lemon flavored glue in the middle.”
Adam took a big bite and froze. “’Uck. Tha’s nas’y.”
“For once I have to agree with you,” Maggie laughed at Adam’s expression, as did J.J.
“I think we could definitely improve on this recipe.” J.J. laughed. “Let me look at it and see w
hat we can do with it.”
“It’s on the fridge, dear.”
Maggie handed Adam a glass of milk so he could unglue his mouth.
“Thanks, Ma. I have to agree with you. Sawdust.”
J.J. read through the recipe. Maggie watched his lip curl up in disgust. “This looks more like something you’d feed to livestock.”
Maggie sighed. “I should have known better than to listen to that health nut at the grocery store.” Maggie tossed the platter of lemon bars in the trash. “What are y’all doing here anyway?”
Adam looked over his shoulder down the hallway making sure Thad wasn’t around.
“We had a bit of a run in with Grace Griffin,” he said, his voice low. “I tried to go and be nice to her, and see if we couldn’t, like, smooth things over, but she wouldn’t even talk to me.”
“Pfft, not surprising. That woman is as narrow minded as a one-eyed chicken.”
J.J. laughed. “Okay, that’s a new one on me.”
“Anyway,” Adam continued, “J.J. and I were talking about it in the car on the way home, and it seems Grace hasn’t been exactly nice to Thad. He thinks she isn’t giving him the grades he deserves.”
Maggie’s eyes narrowed. “I was wondering why he got high marks in everything but that one subject. I should have known it was her class.”
“Come to find out, she goes to the same church as his parents do. Not sure if that has anything to do with it or not,” J.J. added.
“Of course, it does,” Maggie said, tossing the oven mitt on the counter. “There’s nothing worse than an ol’ reformed whore.”
Adam choked on a sip of milk and J.J.’s mouth fell open.
Maggie looked at both of them, scowling. “I can cuss you know?”
“But Ma—”
“Don’t Ma me. Let me tell you something about Grace McNabb-Gibbs-Griffin. She was the biggest slut around here when we went to high school. Yes, I’ve known that old two-faced hypocrite most of my life. It’s all I can do to be pleasant to that woman whenever I see her.”
“Oh my God,” J.J. said, his eyes wide. “I would never have guessed.”
