Chapter 6 - Showdown

The next morning, Estelle and Alice prepared to go to the school to speak with administration and Mr. Pine. Both women dressed smartly, feeling that it would aid in carrying across their message and give the impression that they were not people to be trifled with. Harriet accompanied them to let the school know Ianto was being pulled out of school for the next two weeks minimum. As much as she would've loved to stay and watch Estelle decimate the platform Pine had put himself on, she didn't want to leave the boys alone for too long. Once at the school, the first thing Estelle did was to inform them Jack would be out of school the same length of time, and that Alice would be educating them. The situation had become too fraught with pain and tension to keep them there much longer.

Sorting the situation of funding had taken up most of the school day, and it was finishing up when Estelle, in a no-nonsense voice, requested Mr. Pine. They didn't have a reason to deny her, so they called him to the principal's office, where the principal, secretary, Estelle and Alice were waiting. "Mr. Pine. Just the person I was hoping to speak with." Estelle's voice dripped with sarcasm as she rose and shook his hand. She didn't sit back down, preferring to remain eye-level with the short teacher.

"For many years now, you have been harassing and hurting my son, Jack Harkness, and his close friend, Ianto Jones. I believe this conversation is long overdue. You have hurt them, shamed them, pulled them from one another, you even tried to use the Bible against them. Don't pretend like you don't know. Ianto and Jack have told me EVERYTHING. And some of their friends have too. You are a despicable man, not fit to teach anyone!" Estelle took a deep breath to calm herself - shouting wouldn't help.

"Jesus preached to love thy neighbor as thyself - for you to hate Jack and Ianto, you must not have any love for yourself. He said to love others unconditionally, not to love everyone except those who are gay. Not to love everyone except those whom you deem unworthy. And it is not up to you to decide who is quote "worthy or unworthy" of love. You stated the Bible forbids one man from lying with another. That is false. It's a sin telling falsehoods, did you know that? I bet you did, but you didn't care anyway. What it actually says, is that an adult shall not lay with a child (in a sexual manner). That is talking about pedophilia. Not about being gay. You will no longer be teaching nor interacting with my jack nor Ianto Jones. I speak on Harriet's behalf.

At that, Mr. Pine started laughing. My daughter is friends with Mr. Harkness and Mr. Jones. And they're quite close. So I will be seeing them again, if you want them to remain friends. Martha, dear, come here."

"What. I want to leave alr-" she stopped as soon as she saw Jack's family. "Oh hi Mrs. Cole. I know he never will, so I'll do it. I fully apologize on behalf of my father and his parents. I swear I had no idea that telling him about the kids in my class when we first started school would do this. In that respect the situation is my fault, and I'm truly sorry." Tears of remorse filled her eyes but she held them back, keeping eye-contact with Estelle and Alice.

Alice pulled her into a hug. "It's not your fault sweetheart. You were only a child. There's no need for you to apologize for what your family has done. They're adults, they knew full well what they were d-" Martha was pulled out of the hug by a furious Mr. Pine. He slapped Martha across the cheek. "HOW DARE YOU?!" he screamed at her. "I GAVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU COULD WANT AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME? YOUR BEHAVIOR IS DISGUSTING YOUNG LADY AND YOU ARE GROUNDED!"

He pulled her with him out of the office and into the hallway. Rather, he attempted to, but Martha broke free and stood next to the principal behind his desk. Actually, Jacob Pine, my name is NOT Martha. And you- are no longer my father. This Saturday I turn sixteen. That day I am emancipating myself from you. I'll get my things but you won't know when or how."

"Where are you gonna live? How are you gonna survive?" he sneered at his child. "You barely have any money, no family to take you in, no place to live. I bet you'll be dead by the end of the month. I hope you are," he spat. With that, he stalked out of the office and left the building.

"What is your name?" Estelle asked gently. "And what are your pronouns?"

"Max. and they/he." they told her.

"Well, Max, you can come home with us. We don't have an extra room, but I know Harriet does, and we'll work out logistics with her so you can stay there, alright? It's getting a little late, so tomorrow morning Alice will go with you to help you get your things. You won't have to stop attending school or hanging out with your friends. And we'll help you to secure a part time job for after school so you can make an earning. Sounds alright?"

"Yes, thank you so much, Estelle!" He had tears in their eyes and hugged Estelle. "But what about seeing my father here when he's teaching?"

The principal spoke up. "That won't happen, Max. We fired him a couple hours ago. You'll likely only see him when you go to pick up your things. If he should come onto school property attempting to see you, he will be reported to the police immediately. We will do our best to keep you safe here, and I'm sure Harriet and Estelle will do their best to keep you safe in their homes."

"Thank you, Sir, and thank you Estelle."

"No need for that, we just want you to be safe."

The three of them left the school, feeling pretty satisfied. Max was still scared, it was understandable, but they felt better than they had in years - since before realizing they weren't Martha the girl, but rather Max, a boy.

Jack and Ianto were with Harriet in her home, eagerly waiting for the others to return. Alice had called them while Estelle was driving them back, letting them know that everything had gone smoothly, and that they had a guest. Harriet immediately offered for Max to stay with her, even without knowing the situation. Everything else would be filled in once they returned.

The boys were excited everything had gone well, and that Max would be staying with them. They didn't know the extent of his story, he had only shared a little with Jack and he told Ianto at the urging of Max. The boys hugged and shared a soft kiss before the others got home.