"Hey Laura, the phone's for you."

Laura looked up from her paperwork at Linda, the woman she shared an office with. "It's the school," Linda continued. "Your boy in trouble again?" she asked.

Laura groaned. "I wonder what Tommy's done now," Laura muttered as she reached for the phone. She had gotten calls from the school about Tommy's behavior several times over the past few years, mainly for things such as poor school work, not doing homework, and once for cutting classes.

"Mrs. Stokes?"

"Speaking."

"This is Mrs. Dobles calling from the office at West Texas Elementary School."

"The elementary school?" Laura asked, confused.

"Yes, we have your son Nick in the office here."

"Is something wrong, is he ok?" Laura asked quickly.

"Well, you need to come pick him up. And Mr. Moore, the principle, would like to meet with you."

"Why, what's happened?"

"It seems your son was involved in a fight. Nothing too serious, both boys are fine, but we have a strict fighting policy at this school. Would you be able to come right over and meet with Mr. Moore?"

"Yes, of course. I… I have to take care of some things at work, but I'll be right over." Laura hung the phone up, and stared at it, still in a bit of shock.

"Problem?" Linda asked.

"Yes… with my youngest."

"The one who was ill a while ago?"

"Yes. Apparently he got into a fight."

"You need me to cover for you the rest of the day?"

"Oh, that would be great."

"No problem. I know how it is, I have kids of my own."

"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow."

Laura walked into the school office, and was directed to the principles office. Nick was sitting in a chair outside. He glanced up as she approached, then quickly looked back down at the floor. The door to the office opened, and a woman and a boy walked out, the woman holding tightly to the boy's arm, half dragging him from the office. The boy had a black eye and looked as though he had been crying. A tall man exited the office next.

"Ah, Mrs. Stokes?" The man smiled and held out his hand. "I'm Mr. Moore."

"Hi, Laura Stokes. What exactly happened with Nick?"

"Let's talk in my office." He stepped aside so Laura could go into the office ahead of him. "You too Nick." Nick slid off his chair and into the office without looking up. Mr. Moore closed the door behind him and crossed the room to sit behind his desk. "Please, sit." He indicated two chairs in front of his desk. Nick sat and immediately hunched over and stared at the floor.

"Well Nick, would you like to tell your mom why we're here?" Nick stared at the floor without moving. "Nick? Well, if you don't want to then I'll tell her. Nick started a fight today at recess. I say started because he threw the first punch, several students and a teacher saw this. However, they may have been some provocation, and for this reason, and because the other student fought back, both boys were punished equally. And they were punished." He paused, and Laura glanced at Nick, who was shifting uncomfortably in his chair. "Both boys are also assigned detentions tomorrow and Thursday. In addition, they are to write apology letters to each other. At this school, we consider fighting to be a very serious offense."

"I understand," Laura said.

"And I think Nick understands now too, don't you Nick?"

Nick's eyes darted up at him, then quickly back down. "Yes sir," he said quietly.

"Just so you both know, if this happens again, the consequences will be much more serious. But I don't think Nick will be in any hurry to get in another fight any time soon, will you Nick?"

"No sir," Nick said, barely above a whisper.

"Now, what concerns me most in this case is what caused the altercation. Nick is usually a very well behaved boy, he's never been in trouble with me before, and his teacher tells me that her only problem with him is getting him to settle down sometimes. When I see a sudden behavior change like this, I wonder if there's anything happening at home, or any other extraordinary circumstances that would explain it. Is there anything like that Nick?"

Nick shook his head, without looking up.

"Mrs. Stokes?"

"Well," Laura said carefully, looking at Nick, "there was a bit of an upset a while ago, but that's being taken care of and we haven't noticed any different behaviors with him at home."

"I see. Well, perhaps this was just an isolated incident. As long as nothing like this happens again, we can consider it forgotten and won't have to pursue it further." Mr. Moore smiled. "Thank you for coming in Mrs. Stokes." He stood up and reached out his hand.

"Um… Mr. Moore, could I speak with you privately for a few minutes?"

"Of course. Nick, you can wait outside for your mom."

Nick looked hesitantly at his mom. "Go ahead Nick. I'll only be a few minutes."

Nick stood up, but didn't move.

"Nick. Now!" Mr. Moore said, using what the kids called his "principle voice" that left no room for argument without incurring serious consequences. His mom was also giving him her "now, I mean it" glare. Nick knew he was in enough trouble, so he slowly walked to the door. He paused to turn back for a second, before continuing out the door.

Mr. Moore waited until the door closed. "What is it you would like to discuss?" he asked as he resumed his seat.

"Well, I wondered if it would be possible to postpone Nick's detention on Thursday. He has a doctor's appointment at 3:30."

"I see. Well yes, I suppose I could move it to Friday. I'll just need a note from the doctor to confirm that's where he will be. Is he all right?"

"Yes, he's fine it's just… he's seeing a psychiatrist."

"A… psychiatrist?"

"He's fine. He's just going through some things…. The incident that happened a few months ago… he's working through some issues… there's nothing wrong with him."

"I see…. I wish I had known about this, I might have handled the situation differently."

"No, no, he's fine, what he did was wrong and he knows it. It's only that the fight may have been caused in part by what happened to Nick. As you, said he's never done anything like this before. We'll certainly talk to his psychiatrist about what happened today."

"I think that would be wise. And under the circumstances of course we'll move Nick's detention. I definitely would like a note though, ensuring that 'the incident' won't continue to cause this kind of behavior."

"Of course, thank you." Laura stood up.

"Thank you for coming in," Mr. Moore said, reaching out to shake her hand. "Let me know if there's anything I can do."

Laura nodded and Mr. Moore walked her to the door. "Have a good day," Mr. Moore said, glancing down to include Nick in the statement. Laura smiled, then looked down at Nick and headed out of the office. Nick slowly got up and followed.

The whole ride home was silent. Laura stared straight ahead at the road. Nick glanced at her a couple times, but she resolutely ignored him. They remained silent as they entered the house. When the door was closed behind them, Laura finally spoke. "Go to your room and start your homework."

Nick glanced up. "I'm sorry mom."

"They had to call me out of work, Nick. I had to leave work because you got in a fight. A fight! You attacked someone Nick! I can't believe it! I have no idea what could have possessed you to think it was ok to fight another kid."

"But mom-"

"Just go to your room Nick! We'll talk about it later."

Nick opened his mouth to say something, but with a glance at his mother's face he turned and walked slowly to his room. He flopped down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling. He knew that he was in trouble, big trouble, perhaps more trouble than he had ever been in before. He couldn't remember seeing his mom so angry before, with him at least. He didn't even want to think about how his dad would react.

He threw his arm over his face. He thought back to earlier that afternoon, the moment he had snapped and its aftermath. He thought about how Marcus was always teasing him, and how his one comment had hit a nerve, and he had found himself angrier than he had ever felt before. He had gotten one good punch in before they were both rolling around on the ground. They had been quickly pulled apart by the yard teacher and other than being a bit dirty and having a few scrapes, Nick was fine. Marcus was in the same state, except he has a wonderful black eye. Nick had also gotten to see Marcus cry like a baby, which he might have enjoyed more if he had not been in the same predicament himself. He knew he would be a hero with his friends the next day, but for now he was just scared. Nick sighed and rolled off the bed. He figured he better get his homework done so he didn't get into any more trouble.

He had just finished his math problems when there was a knock. Nick froze and stared at the door. It opened and Tommy stuck his head in.

"Hey Nicky, how're you doing?"

Nick shrugged, relieved that it was only his brother.

"So I hear you got in a bit of a fight today."

Nick nodded.

"Did'ja win?"

Nick grinned. "I gave him a black eye."

Tommy laughed. "All right Nick! If you get into a fight you might as well win."

"I don't think dad will see it that way."

"No, definitely not. Well, it'll all work out. Dad'll let you out of your room again by the time you're my age."

Nick laughed, rather apprehensively.

"Anyway, it's dinner time now and I was sent to get you."

"Do I have to?" Nick scowled.

"You'll have to face them eventually. Come on."

Dinner was a quiet, somewhat awkward affair, at least for some members of the family. The girls did most of the talking, and John and Laura exchanged information about their day at work. Dinner soon ended and the dishes were cleared. Nick tried to slip away back to his room, but barely made it out of his chair.

"Nick, go into the living room and wait for your mom and I. We need to talk." At this pronouncement, the other kids quickly made themselves scarce. Talks in the living room were never good.

Nick sighed and nodded, walking silently into the living room. He plopped down onto the couch to wait for his doom.

A few minutes later, John and Laura entered the room together, and sat down across from Nick, who didn't look up.

"Nick, your mother and I talked it over, and we want to hear your side of the story. We want you to tell us everything that happened exactly. Your mother said that your principle suggested that you might have been provoked, so we want to hear what you have to say." Nick stared at the floor. He was scared of his father angry, but he was even more terrified of this quiet, controlled voice. "Nick, you need to talk to us, tell us what happened."

Nick glanced up, but not far enough to reach his father's face. He told the story to the floor instead. "Um… Corey and TJ and Sam and me were playing four square and TJ bounced it over my head so I ran to get it but Marcus picked it up and wouldn't give it back. I told him to give it back cause we had it first but he said he picked it up so it was his and him and his friends were going to play something else. I got mad and told him he better give it back and he said or what and I said I'd tell. Then he said… he said I was a girl and called me a sissy so I hit him."

"Go on."

"Well, I punched at him and I guess I got him in the eye and then he pushed me but I grabbed him so we both fell over. We were rolling around on the ground trying to get each other but then the yard teacher came over and pulled us apart and took us the see Mr. Moore."

"That's it?"

Nick nodded.

"Why didn't you just tell the teacher?" Laura asked, just like a mom.

"Cause I would have been a sissy."

"Nick, you know it doesn't matter what other people say."

"But mom-"

"It doesn't matter what anyone says to you Nick, it's never ok to attack someone."

"But he took our ball and then he called me names and-"

"That doesn't matter Nick! You should have told the teacher or walked away. You know fighting isn't allowed."

"But it's not fair."

"What's not fair, Nick? You know better. What in the world could have made you believe you could get away with attacking someone!?" John asked, raising his voice for the first time.

"I didn't-"

"You threw the first punch Nick. You made the choice to make it physical. You could have walked away or told someone. I don't get it Nick. You know it's wrong, don't you? Did you really think it was ok to fight?"

Nick shook his head. "But-"

"So you admit that you hit that other boy even though you knew it was wrong?"

Nick nodded. "But I…" Nick trailed off, staring carefully at the floor.

"Nick, look at me."

Nick knew the tone of his father's voice and knew better than to refuse. He slowly raised his eyes so he was looking at his father's chin.

"I don't know what to do Nick. I'm very disappointed. I never expected this from you. Your mother and I decided that we're going to talk to Dr. Gravis on Thursday and see what he recommends. Your mom talked to Mr. Moore and he agreed to move your second detention to Friday."

"But-"

"No arguments Nick. It's already decided."

"Do you have to tell Dr. Gravis about it?"

"Or I could just ground you for your next three lifetimes now."

Nick's eyes dropped back to the floor. "I just…"

"Nick honey, we want to help you, but you have to understand you can't do things like this. We want to talk to Dr. Gravis in case this has to do with what happened."

Nick hunched his shoulders and pulled his arms in. Laura and John glanced at each other. "Is there anything else you want to say Nick? Then go ahead to your room. You're grounded at least until Thursday."

Nick slid off the couch and turned away, scowling.

"And Nick," John started. Nick turned back, glaring at the floor. "You can stand to loose the attitude. You got yourself into this. There's no excuse for what you did, and you're in big trouble."

Nick nodded slightly. "M'sorry," he muttered, then turned and left the room.

John sighed, then looked at Laura. Laura took his hand, and squeezed it gently.