Chapter Text
Abbott Elementary was no stranger to new students. This Janine saw a positive. The more kids the better. She had great classroom management, no matter what Melissa said, and so many fun facts to share. She loved teaching, but sometimes even her patience got tested. So about three months into the school year, Claudia de Lioncourt de Pointe du Lac was added to her roster. Much like her unique long name, Claudia was a beautiful girl with bright eyes and a brighter smile. Janine knew she’d be more than alright at Abbott.
“Good morning, Claudia.” Janine greeted the girl on her second day during morning drop off.
“Good morning. Ms. Teagues.” Claudia smiled. “This is my daddy!”
Holding her hand was a man that sported a twinning smile. “Louis de Pointe du Lac.” He extended his hand.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. du Lac,” Janine shook his hand. “Claudia had a great first day yesterday. She told us so much about you.”
Claudia and her father were an adorable duo. Janine watched as they said their goodbyes and could swear Mr. du Lac was on the verge of tears. “Be good, Claudia.”
“I will,” she nodded before giving him one last hug before following Janine inside.
It was Friday, and Claudia had a great first week. Or that's what Janine had assumed, however it turned out all previous four days that Claudia had been in her classroom, she had been making mean comments. A few students shared their “experiences” with Claudia during breakfast, and Janine didn’t even know how to describe what they were telling her other than “Claudia’s colorful commentary.” She was proud of that one--the alliteration, not the undesirable classroom behavior.
Mike M and Mike B both expressed that Claudia told them “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings when I called you stupid. I really thought you already knew.” Janine couldn’t believe her ears. Nora told her that Claudia said "I’ll try being nicer, if you try being smarter.”
Janine had a private conversation with Claudia in the hall before first period and she denied it all. Janine made a mental note to keep an ear out for what’s being said in case this is all a miscommunication. Besides, with Claudia denying everything that was said, it’ll be best if Janine caught it herself.
It wasn’t until the next period when she heard Claudia’s colorful commentary, CCC, or Triple C or C cubed, for herself. Janine just finished instructing math class and the students were working in pairs. As Janine was walking between their tables, she passed Claudia just in time to hear her say:
“Kevin, your gene pool needs more chlorine.” Her New Orleans accent makes the harsh words sound complimentary.
Janine nearly choked on air.
“I don’t like swimming.” Kevin replied oblivious to the insult.
“Claudia, sweetie, we don’t talk to our friends like that.” Janine said softly but firmly. “We use our nice words at Abbott Elementary. This is your first warning.”
She was naïve, hindsight is 20/20 after all, to think that was the end of it because next period in art there was another victim of Claudia’s words. The kids were drawing self-portraits and presenting them to the class with three things they love about themselves. When Tiffany finished showcasing hers, Janine asked the class, “Does anyone have anything to say to Tiffany about her art?”
Claudia raised her hand and said, “You have a face for radio.”
“Claudia,” She warned the little girl. “I told you that’s not how we speak to our friends.”
The girl looked confused as to why her teacher was telling her this and deflated in her seat.
“This is your second warning. One more time and I’ll call your dad.” Then repeated her question with clarification. “Does anyone have anything nice to say to Tiffany about her art?”
Janine wondered who she was learning this from. Most cases, in her experience, kids watched too much online content and repeated what they heard. Maybe a call home was needed. Or a parent meeting. That could wait until the third warning was issued. At this point Janine had been anticipating it. As expected, Claudia did it again. This time, however, during lunch, and to Ava of all people.
Janine was standing by her tables beside her friends; Barbra, Melissa, Greg, and Jacob when Ava made her entrance. She was brandishing the shiniest outfit Janine has ever seen her wear, But in a very Ava fashion, she made it work.
“Hello, losers, how do I look?” She asked them expectantly awaiting a reply. Maybe that was the mistake, Ava gave Claudia a window to strike. And strike she did.
“You look like a ‘before’ picture.” Claudia looked up at her with a sugary sweet smile. The words leaving her mouth not matching her even sweeter face.
It felt like the cafeteria went quiet. Gregory’s eyes widened, Melissa stifled her laughter, Barbra gasped, Jacob whispered ‘Oh my God.’
“What did you say, little girl?” Ava squared her shoulders.
Janine stood between the two. “Ava, she’s in second grade. I doubt she even knows what she’s saying.”
“If I can’t fight her, I’m beating her mom’s ass in the parking lot.” Ava huffed, smoothing her clothes.
“I don’t have a mom,” Claudia said matter-of-factly. “I have my dad and—”
“Whoever, then,” Ava interrupted her. “I need her parents or guardian in my office at the end of the day. I’m gonna live stream the fight, too. Where’s Mr. Johnson? I need him to set up my ring light again.” Off she went.
Janine took Claudia’s hand and walked her to a more secluded area of the cafeteria and gave her student a look, “I have to call your dad now. Do you understand why I’m doing this?”
Claudia looked up at her with her round brown eyes and shook her head. “No, Ms. Teagues. I don’t.” Her accent thickened with emotion.
“The way you talk to people like Kevin, Tiffany, and Principal Coleman isn’t very nice. We have to make sure you stop.”
“I’m just saying what I hear Papa say.” She let out a shaky breath.
“I’ve met your dad twice every day this week, and that doesn’t sound like him.” The teacher said think about Louis who smiles big and has the kindest eyes. He didn’t seem like the type.
“No,” the girl shook her head. “That’s Daddy. I said Papa.”
Oh, oh, that’s what she meant by not having a mom. Janine cleared her throat, “Well, both Daddy and Papa will be at the meeting. We’ll explain everything together.”
Her eyes welled up with tears and Janine tried to comfort her, but Claudia just returned to her table sniffling and wiping at her eyes. Janine wanted to run over to her and call the whole meeting off. But other kids were involved, and it was best to end this before it got worse.
After lunch, the kids had a Tariq led assembly about the dangers of too much sugar, so Janine and the others had a free hour and met up in the break room. Melissa was the first to speak up.
“So, what’s with your student?” she laughed. “And can I have her transferred to my class?”
“I don’t know,” She slumped into her chair. “The kids told me this morning about her behavior since she arrived, and today was the first time I’ve actually heard her. First Kevin in math class, then Tiffany in art, and just last period Ava.”
“The girl needs guidance,” Barbra said with a sure nod of her head. “After that meeting everything will be right as rain.”
“Well, she told me she’s repeating what her Papa is saying, so I don’t think a meeting will help.”
“That wonderful Black man from morning drop off?” Barbra was scandalized. “I don’t think so. He doesn’t seem the type.”
“That’s what I said, too. But, no, Claudia clarified that her Daddy dropped her off. She’s repeating what her Papa is saying.”
“Oh, two dads for parents!” Jacob cheered with a fist pump. “Score for diversity… but not this situation of course.”
“Maybe he doesn’t know his daughter is repeating him at school,” Gregory added. “Happens all the time in my class. I know those parents more than I ever wanted too. This meeting will solve it.”
Janine nodded, she hoped so. She’ll call home and let Claudia’s dads know they need to meet with herself and the principal after school. “I’ll make the call now.”
The others watched her as she tried to reach Louis when his phone went to voicemail. She tried again and got the same result, sighing “Louis is unavailable… I think it’s time I speak to her Papa.”
Looking at the other number that was listed under “Parent/Guardian #2” This must be who Papa is. The phone rang for what felt like forever until a heavily accented person answered, “Who is this?”
“Um, hello, this is Janine Teagues. I’m Claudia’s teacher at Abbott Elementary. I am calling to talk about her recent behaviors in the classroom.” She kept her voice strong and unwavering despite how she felt about confrontation.
“Recent behaviors? Such as quoi?” His deep voice questioned, skeptical.
Something in his tone made her nervous, and the others could see it too. Melissa gestured for her to put the call on speaker, so she did.
“She’s been saying things to her classmates. Mean things. She just, sort of, insulted her principal. I think it would be best if we spoke in person.”
“In person?” His voice, loud through the speaker now, indicated he did not like that idea. “Why should I do that?”
Melissa looked like she wanted to weigh in on the call but Janine stopped her. She can handle this. This is a part of her job, and Janine was good at her job.
“You’re her dad?” Janine said slowly, starting to get confused herself. “We need to talk about solutions—”
“Claudia isn’t an issue that needs a solution,” He scoffed. “She is my perfect petit démon.”
“Every kid is perfect in their own way,” Janine said, not knowing any other way of answering.
“Debatable,” Claudia’s papa quipped.
“Solutions are for her behavior, not Claudia herself.” She tried again, redirecting the conversation. “She’s in second grade, I’m sure she doesn’t mean what she’s saying. But we need to prevent this from happening again.”
Low grumbling sounds came from the speaker, “Did you contact Louis?”
“I couldn’t reach him.” Janine replied. “We’ll be seeing you two after school, right?”
“Fine, we will be there. But do not expect me to be pleasant.” Just like that he hung up.
They stood in stunned silence for a brief moment. Then Janine let out a small forced laugh, “At least we identified the source of the problem.”
Her class managed to get through the last hour of the day without another Claudia related incident. Janine wrapped her lesson, packed up her class, and led them outside for pick-up. Claudia, however, awaited her parents within the main office.
“Do you need any moral support for your meeting?” Gregory smiled softly at her. Then quickly turned to two boys in his line, “We’re not poking each other.”
“No, it’s pretty straight-forward. Besides, I've been making small talk with her dad every morning and afternoon. He seems very reasonable.” Janine waved bye to a kid before he excitedly ran into his mom’s arms.
“I’ll be just down the hall if you change your mind.”
“Thanks.” She smiled softly at him and he returned it.
Just then a loud engine tore into the parking lot; a sleek black Porsche with all tinted windows pulled cleanly into an empty parking spot. From the driver’s side emerged a blond man with shoulder length hair in an outfit not at all suited for an elementary school pickup; a tight mesh top and low rise leather pants. Then out from the passenger’s side emerged Louis dressed in casual attire; black jeans and a soft green crewneck sweater.
“Wish me luck,” she uttered at Greggory before walking forward to greet Claudia’s parents. “I’m sorry for the last minute meeting. If it wasn’t important, I wouldn’t have requested one.”
“Request implies the choice to decline.” The blond man huffed. “Where is my daughter?”
“Ignore Lestat, Ms Teagues, please,” Louis glared at his husband. “What’s been happening with Claudia?”
“I told you, Louis, it’s defamation.” Lestat glared at Janine to Greg. “A stain on her character!”
“Let us continue this conversation inside,” Janine smiled politely. As she ushered them inside the two were speaking in hushed whispers in what she recognized as French. When she opened the door to the main office, Claudia was sitting in her yellow dress fiddling with her thumbs.
“Claudia! Ma douce petite fille!” Lestat cried out to his daughter.
“Papa!” She ran into his arms with equal dramatics. “I’m sorry… I-I-I….” Then she burst into tears. Her Papa held her tightly to his chest.
“Shh, it’s okay,” He soothed her.
Louis joined his husband in soothing the small girl, wrapping his arms around the two. “Everything will be okay.”
“Principal Coleman is ready for us,” Janine walked the small family into Ava’s waiting office.“