The Fight by Elizabeth Karre Read Free Book Online Page B

breaths.
    â€œTime,” said the secretary.

A
    ll the kids talked next. They did OK, but the school board didn’t do anything to make them less nervous. Some of the school board members barely looked interested or sympathetic. A couple of kids mumbled or talked too fast.
    Couldn’t the school board see that even to come and talk about these embarrassing things showed how serious it was?
I thought. The whole thing was very frustrating.
    Then the secretary called “Sheila Walton,” again.
    Mrs. Walton adjusted the microphone. “Some of the stories we’ve heard tonight are quite upsetting,” she said. “However, I would like to remind everyone that the district already has a policy against bullying. Also, research shows that children who identify as gay have more mental health problems. This is why our group of Concerned Parents has opposed allowing the GSA clubs in our schools to promote such an unhealthy lifestyle.” She held out a paper. “There are resources available to help individuals wishing to leave the homosexual lifestyle. I would like to see these resources available to all students who are struggling.” Then she sat down.
    My blood was pounding in my ears so hard I could barely hear. One of the school board members said something about “looking into” the matter. Then we had to sit through the rest of the boring meeting.
    All I could think about was how Mrs. Walton had said the Lydia and Dominic had killed themselves because they were gay. Which was true in a way, but not how she meant it.
    â€œLook,” said my mom the next day. “We’re famous.” She showed me the newspaper. There was a photo of the Mendozas at the microphone with my mom sitting nearby. And a short description of the comments at the meeting.
    â€œStudents and parents claim that the district policy is contributing to bullying of GLBT students, some of whom have committed suicide in the past two years,” the paper said. Well, at least someone seemed to have gotten it.
    I don’t think any of us wanted to admit it, but the school board meeting had felt so scary that no one really wanted to go to the next one to find out if they were going to do anything.
    â€œWhatever they say will be in the minutes,” Zoe said. The GSA was sitting in Salazar’s room. I think he was embarrassed he wasn’t doing more so he had told Zoe we could start using his room to meet.
    â€œMy mom gets the e-mail and they put them online,” I said. “I’ll let everyone know.”
    â€œI’m not holding my breath,” said Tyler. “Now, I think we need a chant to cheer us up. Hands in! GSA! GSA!” We rolled our eyes, but soon we were laughing and getting loud.
    So loud we didn’t notice Shana Walton standing in the doorway until Mr. Salazar yelled, “Guys!” as he went over to talk to her. We hushed immediately. Shana had some question about auditions for the next play.
    Mr. Salazar didn’t say anything when she left, just went back to his desk to keep grading, but his face was set.
    â€œI hope we didn’t get him in trouble,” I said to Zoe as we left. She looked worried too.

I
    thought the minutes would come out right after the next meeting, but it took a few days. I called Zoe as soon as I saw them.
    â€œThe school board has determined that none of the suicides were related to episodes of bullying or harassment,” I read to her.
    â€œWhat?!” she screamed into the phone.
    â€œThe policy does not need review at this time,” I continued. “That’s it. That’s all it says.”
    â€œUgh,” she said. “I didn’t think they were going to be super helpful, but this is worse. It’s—it’s just saying it never happened! Oh, God.”
    She was quiet for a minute. “Well, there’s nothing that should really prevent the GSA from being official since other schools have them.