Patterson stared at her.
"For what?"
"Potential discriminatory enforcement of school practices, unprofessional conduct, and possible retaliation."
"Retaliation?"
Patterson pointed toward Marcus.
"He was insubordinate."
David's body went rigid. Torres raised one hand before he spoke.
"Ms. Patterson, this is not the time for argument."
Patterson looked at Cartwright.
"Tell them. You approved the standards committee."
Cartwright looked away. The movement was small but devastating. Patterson understood immediately that the alliance she relied on had limits.
"Helen?"
Cartwright said nothing. Patterson turned back to Torres.
"I was trying to teach students how to function in professional environments."
"By discarding their food?"
"By creating common expectations."
"Were those expectations written?"
"Not everything has to be written."
Torres looked at her steadily.
"When unwritten expectations fall disproportionately on children from particular racial or cultural groups, they require scrutiny."
Patterson's voice rose. "This is absurd. I treat every student the same." Marcus spoke before he could stop himself.
"No, you don't."
Every adult turned toward him. Patterson's eyes narrowed. Marcus's hands trembled, but he opened the notebook.
"You took Aaliyah's bonnet. You called Jamal's durag gang clothing. You threw away Miguel's tamales. You made Kesha dump her jollof rice. You stopped Raj's curry."
Patterson shook her head.
"Those incidents had individual circumstances."
"Then why didn't Emma's lasagna have circumstances?"
Patterson blinked.
"What?"
"Or Connor's gyros? Or Patrick's stew? They smell too."
Patterson's mouth tightened.
"Marcus, this is exactly the argumentative behavior-"
"No."
The word came from David. Quiet. Firm.
"He asked a question."
Patterson turned toward him. For the first time she seemed to register the ribbons on his uniform, not merely the rank.
"You must be his father."
"I am."
"Then perhaps you understand chain of command. Children need to learn respect for authority."
David's expression changed.
"I understand lawful authority."
Patterson seemed encouraged by the first half of the sentence and missed the second.