Chapter 10 - Malik Speaks

Malik saw the woman enter, but he kept talking.

"Mrs. Baxter hit me because I corrected something she said in class. Then she told me I should go to a school for Black kids. People keep asking if I was disrespectful. Maybe I sounded angry. I was angry. But being angry doesn't make it okay to hit me."

Someone in the audience clapped.

Then another.

Thomas Baxter struck the gavel. "No demonstrations."

Malik looked directly at him.

"And I shouldn't have to be perfect before adults decide I deserve protection."

The room erupted.

This time even the gavel couldn't stop it.

Nia covered her mouth. Andre stared straight ahead, eyes wet.

Malik returned to his seat shaking, and his father pulled him close.

Then Simone Price stepped to the microphone.

"My son was twelve when Mrs. Baxter hurt him."

Thomas Baxter's attorney stood. "Chairman, this may involve confidential material."

Simone lifted the envelope.

"You mean the agreement your foundation made me sign?"

The room went silent.

Thomas leaned toward his microphone. "Ms. Price, I strongly advise you-"

"You advised me five years ago. I'm done taking your advice."

She pulled out a photograph of DeShawn's bruised shoulder.

Then a letter.

Then a check stub from the Baxter Educational Foundation.

Rachel sat motionless, letting Simone own the moment.

"They gave me twelve thousand dollars," Simone said. "They called it educational assistance. I called it the only way I could pay for my son's therapy after this school broke him."

Dr. Porter, the superintendent, turned toward Thomas.

"Were you aware of this payment?"

Thomas's jaw tightened. "The foundation is a private charitable entity."

"Were you aware?"

"I don't recall."

From the audience, someone shouted, "Check the spreadsheet!"

Thomas froze.

Rachel noticed.

So did Dr. Porter.

"What spreadsheet?" Porter asked.

Rachel stood. "I have a copy."

The board's attorney whispered urgently to Porter.

Five minutes later, the meeting recessed.

In the hallway, reporters swarmed Simone.

Then Caleb grabbed Rachel's sleeve.

"Mom."

His face had gone white.

"What?"

He showed her his phone.

A new anonymous account had posted the photograph he took of Malik.

But the image had been edited.

The ruler was gone.

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