“It was a terrible mistake,” the principal explained. “The secretary was told to send the notification to the parent of the boy who organized the attack. The system pulled the wrong Walker from the database.

We have two other boys with that last name in the district, but the actual organizer of this group is right here.”

The principal zoomed in on the tallest bully, the one who had hit Tyler. The boy on the screen was wearing a red varsity jacket with the number twelve on the sleeve.

It was Ethan’s jacket.

“It was Ethan,” Principal Vance said. “We have two other videos from last month. Ethan has been targeting Toby. And your stepson is the one who took the backpack.”

Richard cleared his throat. He stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. His face went from pale to a dark, blotchy red.

“Now, wait a minute, Vance,” Richard said, his voice rising. “This is a big misunderstanding. Ethan is an athlete. He has a track scholarship on the line. They were just messing around. It is just boy stuff.”

I looked at Richard. For four years, I had listened to this man tell me my son was a failure. I had allowed him to make Tyler feel small in his own home.

“He hit my son, Richard,” I said. My voice was very quiet, but my hands were shaking.

“Diane, let’s go home and discuss this,” Richard pleaded, reaching for my shoulder. “We can settle this as a family. We do not need the school board or the police involved.”

“The police are already involved,” Principal Vance said calmly. “Toby’s parents have seen the footage. They are on their way here now with their attorney.”

Richard looked like he was going to vomit. “Diane, please. Tell them we can handle it.”

I stood up. I felt a cold, clear anger that I had never felt in my entire life.

“No,” I said. “We are not handling anything. You can pack your things, Richard.”

I walked out of the office, leaving Richard standing there with the principal. I drove straight home and went into Tyler’s room.

He was sitting at his small desk, drawing on a piece of scrap paper with a pencil. He looked up when I opened the door.