Nick smiled. He could tell Rachel had imbibed a couple glasses of wine. It appeared Cala was again the designated driver for the others. “Okay, Rach… are you going to tell us what happened or do we have to beg?”
“I told her I don’t appreciate you staring at me like I was some kind of freak. She thought about playing the Islamophobia card, but thought better of it when I jutted a finger into her face and told her I’d bitch slap her into next week if she pulled it on me. Flo the Islamist mole runs when she sees me. I’m at fault for Jean’s behavior. I told her Flo has no right to push religion in a public school. Jean, knowing all the unsavory facts about Islam, challenges Flo on a daily basis. Flo would like to make Jean disappear. Instead, knowing she’s in the wrong, Flo has quieted her proselytizing to moments when Jean’s not around. Unfortunately for her, the rest of the kids have begun adopting Jean’s attitude toward Islam. I think they’ve talked about Flo to their parents. The parents have reinforced Jean’s take on Flo and complained to the principal.”
“The principal toned her down, Dad. She still goes nuts but she mutters on her own where we can’t hear her. I’m glad I don’t have her for a teacher. Watch this, Dad. I can do her perfectly.”
Nick stopped her with a gesture. “Flo has it coming, I’m sure. Her indoctrination program against school policy is something we’ll fight against. I don’t like you making fun of adults unless they’re in on the joke like we are. Like your Mom says, Flo’s an Islamic newbie, enflamed with her new calling, willing probably to sell out her country, and indoctrinate kids to her cause. I won’t soft sell the danger you kids already know about from this cult. I don’t sugarcoat anything. When someone believes in something against all logic and common decency, we step back and allow them to proceed on their discovery phase into reality, especially with the death cult. Flo may learn the hard way about her place as a woman in Islam. Because of the Kaders, you kids know of the dangers. Only one pseudo religion preaches the decimation of other races and religions who do not believe in their cult worldwide, while carrying out genocide in reality.”
“Do you believe in God, Sir,” Sonny asked.
“I sure do. I do not believe God wants us to kill or maim everyone who doesn’t believe as I do. The God I believe in doesn’t want us to mutilate, subjugate, or stone women for indiscretions. My God doesn’t want pedophilia to become a man’s right. I can freely believe in anything without annoying other people.” Nick grinned at Jean. “My God also doesn’t want me to allow a child under my care to be a bullying shrew either.”
“You said when Mom and I forced you to help the cop by the side of the road a long time ago, that we forced you to do what’s right, and sometimes you didn’t know what was right anymore.”
“Arrrrghhhhh… I’ve been pierced to the heart by my own words, although mutilated to fit Viper’s storyline. Let me put it this way – I don’t want you making fun of other people in front of me. We all make mistakes in judgement. I’ve made so many, I don’t even think about them anymore. I’m sure Gus has them all catalogued though. Restraint is the key to adulthood, Viper.”
“Restraint is the key for sissies.”
Nick stifled a laugh while Rachel gasped, staring at the ceiling in frustration. “I know your Mom agrees with you on many counts. One of the reasons charter schools are so popular is because of just this type of nonsense. Politely and quietly handling these incidents through the school authorities usually results in changes as you’ve already noted with the other parents complaining.”
Jean grinned at Rachel, who gave her daughter a quick negative head shake. “C’mon Mom, tell him.”
Nick refilled his drink. “Tell me what?”
“Nothing really. Her husband came over this past week to the school with her. He’s the whole package, full black beard, kufi skull cap, and pajama robes. I thought Flo was a nitwit but her husband takes the cake. This guy traipsed around with his hands clasped behind his back eyeballing everyone. He came over to us when I dropped Jean off for school. He said his name was Majd Nazari and his wife felt uncomfortable around us.”
“Mom said, ‘tough titty said the kitty, but the milk’s okay’,” Jean broke in while giggling. “A bunch of people around us started laughing. It looked like his head was going to explode. He started forward but Mom lit off her stun-gun. She told him to go hump someone else’s camel.”
Jean’s delivery and storytelling flair reduced the room to wild amusement for a few moments. It was only then Jean noticed Nick wasn’t laughing. “Dad… it’s okay. Ms. Nazari came over and clutched onto his arm, begging him to come along with her.”
Nick turned to Gus. “See what happens when we don’t have escort duties, Payaso.”
“Yes,” Gus replied wryly. “A tense situation gets handled without a killing.”