The Ongoing Reformation of Micah Johnson by Sean Kennedy Read Free Book Online Page A

ground. That’s all I remember, really. Pretty clumsy, huh?”
    “But Mr. Howard said Will admitted hitting you—” Mrs. Hin pointed out before Will’s dad jumped in.
    “The boy’s saying my son didn’t touch him. As far as I’m concerned, we’re done here.”
    “We are not ,” Rick said. “My son is going to have to go to hospital to get checked out. He was out cold. There’s more to this story.”
    “No, Dad, there’s really not,” Micah said.
    Will’s dad was the epitome of smugness as he leaned back in his chair. “My son is innocent.” Will, however, looked like he was on the verge of tears.
    “What was he harassing you about?” Joanne demanded of Micah.
    “It’s just sledging,” Micah said. “It’s normal on the field.”
    “Was he being homophobic?”
    “So what if he was?” Will’s dad asked. “Nothing’s sacred on the field.”
    “That’s another issue,” Mrs. Hin said quickly, “and one that can be taken up with Mr. Howard.”
    “He wasn’t being homophobic,” Micah said. “Doesn’t mean he wasn’t a fucking idiot, though.”
    “Micah Johnson!” Mrs. Hin cried. “What did I tell you?”
    “Swearing is worse than punching somebody out?” Joanne asked.
    “It’s like I said before they came in,” Will’s dad said. “Boys will be boys.”
    “You’re so right, Mr. Deanes,” Micah said. “And it’s good we cleared it up here, rather than involve the police or child services.”
    Alex snorted, and when his parents turned to glare at him, he pretended to sneeze.
    “Besides,” Will’s dad continued, “we all know what that boy’s like.”
    Micah sat up at that and had to fight against the wave of dizziness that hit him. “Are you talking about me?”
    “Yes, what exactly are you getting at?” Joanne asked.
    “Everybody knows about his—” Will’s dad cleared his throat, flustered. “—reputation.”
    “Reputation for being gay?” Micah asked.
    “You’re treading on dangerous ground, mate,” Rick said.
    Will’s dad smirked. “All I’m saying is, we know he’s a troublemaker.”
    “No,” Micah said, “we know he’s gay, and in your view, that’s all it takes to make someone a ‘troublemaker.’”
    “Maybe if he used the girls’ change room, this wouldn’t be an issue.”
    All hell was about to break loose again, but this time it was Will who stood up. “Dad, stop.”
    Micah held his breath. Was this going to be Will’s big moment?
    “Let’s just go.”
    Obviously not. Micah sagged in his seat. Why did he even think that was a possibility? This wasn’t a feel-good made-for-television movie. Moments like that never happened in real life.
    “This isn’t over,” Rick said.
    “Oh”—Will’s dad smiled, offering a hand, which Rick refused to take—“I think it is.”
    As he left the room, Will following in his wake and still unable to acknowledge Micah, Rick turned to Mrs. Hin. “We’ll be taking this further.”
    “Dad,” Micah said tiredly. “As a wise philosopher once said in a touching film about two sisters and an ice kingdom, ‘Let it go.’”
    Mrs. Hin was only too happy to agree.
     
     
    THE RIDE back home was excruciatingly silent except for the conversation at the hospital, when Micah kept his promise and allowed himself to get a proper medical check. He could tell his father was still fuming, and his mother wasn’t exactly that happy either, but Micah wisely decided to keep his mouth shut.
    At least until they reached the safety of home.
    The emergency department gave him the all-clear, and although relieved, Micah knew his parents were now free to grill him over what happened at school.
    “Alex, go to your room,” Rick said as soon as they got in the front door.
    “I’ll just be listening anyway,” Alex said.
    “Let him stay,” Micah said. There might as well be even numbers in the fight.
    Joanne and Rick exchanged looks.
    “Oh, give me a break!” Micah protested. “There won’t be any dirty details