Prompt's for 2018 - 1. Conner County PTA

I’d like to tell you about a time when I attended Conner County Junior High.

I arrived home from school one day and my dad knew something was wrong immediately.

“What’s up sweetheart?”

I rummaged in my bag and pulled out the letter a teacher had handed me as I left school.

I’d already opened and read the letter, but I watched my dad’s face pale as he read. It said…

Dear Mr. Johnson

It has come to our attention you are now in a relationship with your former lodger Mr. Michaels and that he continues to share your home.

I’m sure you’ll understand why we felt we needed to address this with you.

We are worried about the effects your current behavior will have on your daughter, Jenny Johnson.

We have had reports of you drinking with Mr. Michaels and of you being seen in compromising situations with him.

We ask you please address your behavior.

The letter was sighed from the secretary of the Conner County P.T.A

I knew about my dad’s relationship with David, and I liked David. I also knew my grandma stayed with me every once and a while so dad and David could go out and have some fun. I’d even seen them making out. The last time I’d thrown a wet cloth at them and told them to get a room. We’d all laughed about it.

But, the letter from the school almost sounded like a threat. Dad owned the local grocery store and we couldn’t afford to leave town. Everything we had was here.

“Don’t worry about this, sweetheart,” dad said and gave me a hug. He picked up the cordless phone and headed for his bedroom.

Now, I’m a very curious person so of course I listened at the door.

“Hello, this is Mr. Johnson,” came dad’s voice. “I would like to inquire as to when the next meeting of the P.T.A is…Tonight?...And any parent is welcome to attend, is that right?...Good…Thank you for your help.”

I rushed to my bedroom just as the front door open.

My dad came out his room and called out, “David? Is that you?”

“Yes, love,” came David’s cheerful voice. “I’ll be right up. Just let me get my coat and shoes off.”

Once they were in their room and I was sure they weren’t leaving again, I sneaked back to listen.

“—are you sure this is the right thing to do?” David was asking.

“I think I have to. I can’t let them think I will accept this sort of treatment. What about Jenny? What will she learn if we allow this to slide?”

“I know, but are you sure this is the right way to go about it?”

I really wanted to know what dad had planned, but it seemed I missed that bit of the conversation. I then heard movement and had to run back to my bedroom, so I didn’t get caught.

***

Dinner was a quiet affair and dad was obviously in deep thought. He was also scribbling notes on a sheet of paper by his plate. I was too far away to read it and I really wanted to know what he was writing. I was sure it had something to do with the stupid letter.

When dinner finished dad stated we had to get ready to go out to a meeting and then started clearing the table.

***

We walked into the P.T.A meeting and a hush fell over the people gathered there. I wasn’t sure what shocked people more, the fact my dad and I were there, or the fact he was hand in hand with David.

People shook off the shock and the chairman bashed a hammer on the long table where he and the other P.T.A members sat on the stage.

“I call this meeting to order.”

The agenda was gone through fairly quickly, and then came the announcement of any other business.

My dad stood and raised his hand. “I would like to address the meeting.”

Moving to the front and ascending the steps to the stage he took the microphone off the chairman. He turned to address the crowd.

“Today my daughter brought home a letter informing me that the members of this P.T.A are worried about certain aspects of my lifestyle and behavior and how it will affect my daughter. First, let me read to you what their concerns are.”

He read out the letter and I could see people starting to shuffle in their seats.

“Next I will address their concerns. Yes, I am in a relationship with David Michaels, we are very much in love and he loves Jenny as though she were his own daughter. Yes, he shares my home and since I know you are all wondering, yes, he also shares my bed. And lastly, yes, my mother does babysit once in a while, so David and I can go out on dates. We even kiss and hold hands. Just the same as any other couple getting to know each other does.

“Now, let me turn my attention to the people who showed their concern for how this behavior will affect my daughter."

Dad turned to look at the six people sitting behind the long table. “I’ll start with Chairman Bobkins, he has asked me to hook up at least seven times to my recollection.” Dad ignored the gasp that rippled through the crowd, and the death glare Mr. Bobkins sent his way. Dad just moved onto the man’s wife. “And has anyone noticed how much ice Mrs. Bobkins goes through when her husband has to go out of town?

“Mr. Smithers, can you tell the people here just why your current secretary had to leave town in such a hurry?” Mr. Smithers went a dark shade of red and looked like he was going to start shouting, but Dad didn’t give him a chance, he’d already moved onto the next person.

“Widow Brooks, you should really keep your shades all the way down, even during the day, if you don’t want the local kids sharing stories about the great education they're getting by watching through your bedroom window.

“Mr. Wood, I see you were late again. I take it it was another late night at Carl’s bar again last night?”

Lastly, dad turned to the eldest member of the P.T.A. “Mrs. Walkins, if I get someone in this crowd to try the tea your sipping there, just how much gin will they taste in it?”

Dad moved back to the front of the stage and faced the now gaping crowd.

“Owning a business in town means I hear everything. Everyone I present to you the Conner County Hypocrites.”

With that last statement, he dropped the microphone on the floor and returned to David and me. He dropped a kiss on my head and David’s lips. “Let’s get out of here.”

We stood, and with dad in the middle, we strode out the silent hall.

And that’s the story of how my dad socked it to the Conner County P.T.A

This was based on a song my dad played to me recently.
Harper Vally P.T.A sung by Jeannie C. Riley
Here is a link to it on Youtube if you want to hear it, I thought it was well written and good on the parent  
https://youtu.be/4ivUOnnstpg