Read The Homespun Holiday for Free Online

your
half-hearted apology is not accepted and that your unwanted opinion of
Ms. Robbins personal life will be addressed with the Board  of Education and the Superintendent of Schools,” Mack bit out, his low voice eerily
quiet in the otherwise silent office.  “But because I’m curious, Ms. Simmons,
what words do you find acceptable for five-year-old children to call
either their penis or vagina?  Surely the children you instruct have used these
kind of words with you before when they needed to use the restroom. What do you
teach them to call their reproductive organs?”
    Millie watched Ms. Simmons offer
her and Mack a haughty look.  “There are lots of acceptable terms that I allow
the children to use.  For girls, many call that area their woohoos or their
precious.  I’ve heard some call it a kitty cat or a hoohah.  For boys, they
call their…part,” she said, stumbling over her words, “Well, sometimes the boys
will call it a tallywacker or a ding-a-ling…”
    “So, nonsense words, then?” Millie interrupted
the other woman.  “You teach your children to call their parts , as you
call them, nonsense words rather than what they actually are.”
    “W-well, yes.”
    Dr. Daniels made a derisive noise
as he glared at both the teacher and the principal.  “No wonder America’s kids
are falling behind educationally when they are compared to kids in other
countries.  Their so-called educators are terrified of teaching the truth. 
Listen, lady,” he said, addressing Ms. Simmons, “I’ve been a doctor for a long
time, and never once have I heard a vagina say meow!   For the love of God,
don’t teach these girls that their vagina is a kitty cat!  And with the boys…a
ding-a-ling?  Seriously?  Get a clue.  These kids need to be unashamed of their
bodies, and they need to know what the hell they’ve got between their legs!”
    Millie nodded decisively, her anger
levels rising exponentially.  “The bottom line here is that while Paisley
probably shouldn’t have divulged so many details about the male and female body
and childbirth to her peers, she didn’t technically violate any code of conduct. 
I’ve already admonished her for being overly honest.  For the school to expel
her for simply using terminology that a teacher isn’t comfortable with…
well, let’s just say that if you pursue such an expulsion, Principal Carter, I
will be forced to take this issue before the school board and contact our
attorney.”
    “And while she’s doing that, I’ll
be hitting up Paradise’s newspaper and giving them a heads up on how things are
run over here at the elementary school,” Dr. Daniels added threateningly.  “I
can’t imagine the public will be very understanding when they learn that you’ve
got teachers trying to bully both students and parents with their skewed views
of morality.”
    The Principal held up his hands and
shook his head quickly.  “No!  No, that won’t be necessary at all.  I think
we’re all on the same page now.  This was simply a misunderstanding.  Paisley
was just a little over eager to share details on a subject best discussed at
home.  Ms. Simmons, you and Paisley can return to your class. I’m sure they’re
missing you both by now.”
     “Yay!” Paisley cheered, clapping
her hands together.  “I can go see my friends now!”
    Bending, Millicent bent over to hug
and kiss her daughter on the crown of her head.  “Go back to class, baby, and
for heaven’s sake, keep a low profile, okay?”
    “Gotcha, Momma!  Thanks, Dr. Mack,”
she said, looking up at the big man with something that looked a lot like hero
worship to Millie.  “Will I see you when the bus drops me at your office?”
    “Hope so, kiddo.  Go with your
teacher now.  I’ll see you soon,” he promised, bending to drop his own kiss
against her silky hair.
    Paisley beamed under the attention
of her mother and her mother’s boss.  Skipping back over to the somewhat