The call from Jack's school came on a Wednesday morning. Lynn had just returned from her bus ride delivering Jacob to his class and was in the den turning on the computer to begin editing a paper she and Reid were co-authoring when the phone rang.
"Mrs. Hotchner?" the woman's voice on the other end of the line inquired. "Mrs. Aaron Hotchner?"
"Yes, that's me," Lynn replied.
"This is Andrea from the Principal's Office at Midtown High School," the voice informed her. "And we have you down as the contact for Jack Hotchner. Is that correct?"
"Yes, it is," Lynn confirmed. "What is wrong? Is Jack okay?"
"Jack is just fine," the woman continued. "However, there has been an incident and we need you to come to the school as soon as possible. Can you do that?"
"Of course," Lynn was already turning the computer off. "I'll be there as quickly as possible. Can you tell me what this is about?"
"Thank you. The matter will be discussed when you get here," Andrea told her before hanging up.
After putting Lilly back into her car seat, Lynn quickly gathered up the car keys and her purse before hurrying out the door. When she arrived at Jack's school, the security guard directed her to the principal's office where she found a defiant looking Jack sitting in the reception area.
"Jack, what is going on?" she questioned as she shifted Lilly's carrier from one hand to the other. "Why did the school call me?"
"I told them not to call you," Jack replied sullenly. "It's really dumb – This whole thing is dumb!"
"Mrs. Hotchner?" the receptionist asked.
"Yes," Lynn looked over at her.
"Principal Rooney is waiting for you," the woman told her. "If you and Jack will come with me?" She held the short swinging door open so they could walk through into her area and then, after entering a code to unlock the door directly behind her, she began leading the way down a short hallway. When she got to the end, she knocked on the door before opening it.
"Principal Rooney," she said to the woman sitting behind the desk. "Mrs. Hotchner is here to see you." She stood aside so Lynn and Jack could walk into the office.
"Mrs. Hotchner," the grim looking woman pushed some papers to one side. "And, Jack. Please sit down." She indicated the two chairs in front of her desk.
"What is going on?" Lynn asked as she sat in one of the indicated chairs and placed the baby carrier on the floor next to her while Jack took the other chair.
"It seems that Jack has a problem with his geometry teacher," the principal began. "It appears that he has no respect either for him or for his abilities and is constantly finding it necessary to correct him."
"More likely inabilities," Jack muttered. "That man is a fucking idiot – Can't tell a square from a triangle."
"Language, Jack, Language!" Lynn gently remonstrated. "Remember, Lilly is here." She gently rocked the baby carrier.
"What exactly happened?" she asked the principal. "And why isn't this teacher here?"
"Mr. Marsh is unable to be here at the moment," was the reply. "Although he did leave these with me." The principal opened a folder and took out several sheets of paper. "This is the quiz Jack took earlier this week. It seems he had difficulty accepting the fact that the answer marked in red is wrong and wanted to argue about it at length. And, apparently, this isn't the first time this has happened." She handed the top sheet to Lynn.
Lynn glanced at the sheet and then looked over at the principal. "But Jack's answer is right," she said. "I don't know what answer the teacher is looking for, but the one Jack wrote on the paper here is correct."
"That's what I told him!" Jack burst out. "But he wouldn't listen to me. He said the answer on the answer sheet from the publisher is different and, since it is from the publisher, it is right. And, this isn't the first time this has happened. I asked Uncle Spencer about the one two weeks ago, and he agreed with me. The answer sheet is wrong!"
"And, I'm not the only one," he continued. "A lot of the other students are complaining too. It's just that I am the one who spoke up the loudest."
"If Spencer says the answer sheet is wrong, it is wrong," Lynn declared. "And I would suggest that this Mr. Marsh not only start double checking the answers he has been given but also contact the publisher."
"I will have you know that the school board just spent several millions of dollars updating all the school district's math books," Ms. Rooney's face was starting to turn red. "Now, I don't know what your background, or that of this Uncle Spencer is, but you can't sit there and tell me that either of you know more than the people who wrote this book."
"Oh, I can and I will," Lynn replied. "And, as for credentials, Dr. Spencer Reid has three PhD's, including one in Quantum Physics, and I am currently working on a degree in mechanical engineering. How does that compare to Mr. Marsh's background, or your own for that matter?"
"Well, I never!" the principal fumed.
"Now, it seems to me that Jack is owed an apology, both from you and from Mr. Marsh," Lynn continued. "And his grade in geometry needs to be reexamined and changed." She looked expectantly at the principal.
"That is not very likely," Ms. Rooney snorted. "As a disruptive, disrespectful student Jack doesn't deserve an apology from anyone. And, as for changing his grade – I don't see why that is necessary."
"You're pulling down my GPA," Jack protested. "And ruining my chances of getting into The University of Virginia."
"You should have thought of that before you began misbehaving," was the prim reply. "And, now, for your punishment – "
"That won't be necessary," Lynn stood up. "Jack won't be attending school here any longer." She picked up Lilly in her carrier.
"Jack, do you have anything you need to get out of your locker?" she asked. A stunned Jack shook his head 'No'.
"What?" the principal huffed. "You're taking him out of school?"
"I am taking him out of your school," Lynn corrected. "There is more than one way to get an education. Now, I will be back here on Friday with any books or supplies that need to be returned. At that time, I will expect you to have a copy of Jack's school records waiting for me."
"You do know that the laws concerning home schooling in the Commonwealth of Virginia are quite strict, don't you?" the principal asked. "And I hardly think you could meet them." She smirked at Lynn.
"I will keep that in mind," Lynn replied serenely. "Jack, pick up your backpack and let's go."
And, carrying Lilly and followed by Jack, she swept out of the principal's office.