Don't Tell A Soul by Tiffany L. Warren Page A

wasn’t hurt.”
    I let out a gasp just thinking about what I’d do to any of my children if they raised a hand to one of their teachers. “I can’t believe Joshua did that! You’ve raised him better than that.”
    â€œWell, that witch shouldn’t have put her hands on my son. They did away with corporal punishment for a reason. So that these racist teachers can’t put their hands on our kids.”
    Now, I know Ms. Golden. I worked on the PTA with her, and both Cicely and Gretchen had her for fifth grade. She is a tough-as-nails woman who is somewhat old school. She doesn’t tolerate back talk, and she makes the children say “No, ma’am” and “Yes, ma’am.” She is a great teacher and is not racist at all. Even though she works in our well-to-do suburb, she volunteers every year tutoring reading students in the urban school districts.
    â€œI never thought Ms. Golden was racist, Taylor.”
    â€œWell, she is. She doesn’t like black boys. You have girls, so maybe that’s why you haven’t experienced it yet. You better hope TJ doesn’t have her when he gets in fifth grade. Hopefully, she will have retired by then.”
    â€œThey haven’t filed any charges, have they? He’s just a little boy.”
    â€œGirl, they talking about assault, but we’re going to fight it. Right now we’ve got to worry about where Joshua’s going to go to school. They expelled him.”
    â€œOh my Lord, Taylor, I’m so sorry. Do you think if he apologizes to the teacher that they’d overturn the decision?”
    â€œApologize? He didn’t do anything but defend himself. She shouldn’t have put her hands on my son.”
    I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I know that Taylor overindulges Joshua a little bit. I thought that it was just because it was only the two of them for so long. I hoped that once Spencer came into their lives, she would be a little bit more balanced about that boy.
    â€œWhat are you gonna do, then?”
    â€œFor now I’m going to homeschool him.”
    â€œWhat about your job?”
    â€œI’m taking a leave of absence. Spencer makes more than enough money to take care of us, and we’ve been stacking most of my checks for years. We’ll be fine if I take some time off to get my son back on track.”
    â€œWhat did Spencer say about you leaving work?”
    Another loud sigh from Taylor. “He basically said that all of this is my fault. He’s wanted to punish Joshua for his other outbursts, but I don’t allow that. He’s not hitting my son. So he said I might as well handle it.”
    This is a touchy subject, and I don’t even know if our friendship can withstand me telling Taylor how I really feel about this. I think Joshua could’ve used a good spanking a couple of times, but I don’t think she believes in spanking. I can understand why she doesn’t want Spencer to touch him, but I also know how much Spencer loves them both.
    â€œMaybe Spencer’s method is not such a bad idea.”
    â€œYou sound like Yvonne.”
    â€œSee . . .”
    â€œNeither of you has been a single mother, so you have no idea what I’m going through.”
    â€œBut you’re not a single mother anymore.”
    Taylor clears her throat. “You just worry about getting that book published, huh? We’re all looking for a reason to celebrate, so let’s get it poppin’, girlfriend.”
    â€œOkay, Taylor, you can avoid the issue for now, but we’re not done with this conversation.”
    â€œI’m not avoiding anything. I’m just done talking about it. I didn’t ask for advice, Pam.”
    â€œYou’re right. I’m sorry.”
    â€œDon’t be. It’s what you do. I know where to find you when I need you.”
    I can hear the smile in Taylor’s voice, and I know she doesn’t mean to