The Sit-Down

Christina sips her coffee, glancing every so often at Mr. Doe sitting across the table eyeing her like a hawk. His clean cut appearance jars with the milieu of the bohemian used book store-cum-coffee shop. The smell of patchouli and heavy musk fills the room.

Christina pretends not to notice.

“So let me get this straight.” The teacher sips his latte. “You and Evie had it out in the front parking lot? What possessed you to do that?”

The Latina's hangdog face says it all.

“It wasn’t my idea. I was just walking to my car and then those three slu—I mean, girls jumped me. I tried to push through, but Evie was pissed about something or another and she wanted to start something.”

“So you played into her hands? Christina, Christina, Christina…I always pictured you being smarter than her. You know better than to take on a bully. Or bullies, as the case may be.”

“I’m sorry, teach. I didn’t mean to. It’s just--they didn’t give me much of a choice.”

She nearly chokes up.

“Evie and the girls can be pretty mean, I’ll hand you that.”

“Don’t I know it…”

“So is this recent, or has this been going on a long time?”

“Evie’s had it out for me since day one. Ever since she got passed over for the soccer team she’s been a raging bitch. She’s always teasing me about this or that or the other, calling me names like fatty and dyke. It’s like I’m a punching bag. I don’t know if it’s low self-esteem or what, but I want it to stop.”

“I see.” Mr. Doe runs his hand through his hair. “So what provoked this last round?”

“Believe me, you don’t want to know.”

“Believe me, I do.”

Christina looks away.

“The day I spoke up in class, she followed me. Her, Dani and that Becky girl. We had some words—she was jealous that I slept with you. Thought I didn’t deserve your help, like I was a gutter rat or somethin’. Never mind that I’ve been slaving and studying. I practically spend the entire evening on my computer. ProQuest and Questia are like info porn, I swear…”

“You’re getting off track, Christina.”

“Anyway…” The Latina sighs. “I couldn’t back down from a fight, right? So I decided to teach them a lesson. Well, her and Dani, anyway. So I kicked and yanked some hair and I and Dani went for a few rounds of punching each other in the face. She was about to turn the tables on me when you showed up. Thank God.”

The soccer player’s hand trembles.

“What you did was very foolish.” Mr. Doe cautions her. “At the very least, you could’ve been beaten up…or worse.”

“Worse? How worse can it be?”

“Let’s just say Evie likes to have fun with her conquests. Next time she or Dani or anybody else gives you grief, do yourself a favor and come to me first, or Brianna. Hell, I’d be glad if you went to the damn gym coach. Bottom line, don’t be a cowgirl next time.”

“They don’t have cowgirls in Mexico.”

“Not even reverse ones?”

Christina giggles.

“Now you’re just being silly.”

MR. Doe smoothes out the wrinkles in his suit.

“I’ll talk things over with Evie and let her know what’s what. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, is there anything else you need? There’s a copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets for 70% off the retail price…”

“Thanks Mr. Doe , but I’m cool. Besides, the Bard really isn’t my thing.”

“What is?”

Christina glances at him.

“Ever heard of Larry McMurtry?”