Parent-Teacher Confrontation

Christie Stevens rings the doorbell to a residential house. When the door swings open, she’s greeted by two women, Dee Williams and London River. When she sees both of them side-by-side at the doorway Christie looks a little uncomfortable and flustered, but polite. Hello, she must be Christie?, London says brightly. Yes, and they must be Dee and London?, Christie says cordially, adding that it’s very nice to meet them. It’s nice to meet her too, London says sincerely. Hello, says Dee somewhat guardedly. London invites Christie to come in and sit on the couch. Christie sits down and Dee and London sit on the couch on the same side so that they’re both facing her.

Christie smiles at them. There is a moment of quiet as they each size one another up. So, she wanted to start by saying that she really appreciates them having her over, Christie says. As their daughter’s teacher, she feels it’s important that she get to know the parents, Christie continues. Of course, they feel the same way, London says. And beyond just getting to know them, there is…another reason that she wanted to meet them, Christie continues. As they know from the letter she sent home previously, their daughter’s grades have begun to slip, Christie continues gravely. The wives nod. So when she found out that their daughter doesn’t have the most…traditional…home life, she wanted to come and see it for herself, Christie continues.

‘Traditional? Um…what exactly do you mean by that?’ Dee asks warily. Well, their daughter is the first student she’s ever taught who has parents that are…, Christie says, trailing off as she tries to be delicate, to find the right wording. Parents who are…?, Dee prompts. ‘Well, parents with your..unique…living arrangement’, Christie says with a smile, seemingly satisfied that she is being sufficiently polite. She’s not really sure what Christie is referring to when she calls this a ‘living arrangement’, London begins delicately. They’re just a regular married couple raising their daughter, London adds. ‘Oh yes, but you’re BOTH women, so…it certainly can’t be considered regular,’ Christie says. So what does Christie consider REGULAR then?, Dee asks, scoffing in disbelief.

Oh, it seems that she said the wrong thing, and she didn’t mean to offend them, Christie says apologetically. ‘I know it’s not always easy for you people’, Christie says, unaware of how condescending she sounds. ‘Us people?!’ Dee repeats sarcastically. She has to say, she’s REALLY surprised to still encounter this kind of attitude these days, Dee adds with a hint of sadness. ‘I have no ‘attitude’, I’m only looking out for the best interests of your daughter,’ Christie says evenly. And that’s exactly what they’re doing too, London responds. There is a moment of uncomfortable silence between the trio. Can they…can they start over?, they’ve clearly gotten off on the wrong foot, Christie says, eager to move forward. London says sure. Dee nods silently.

The teacher tries to explain herself, saying that she’s never taught a student with gay parents before. Has Christie ever even MET a gay person before?, London asks gently. Well, of course she has, Christie begins. But has Christie ever REALLY gotten to know a gay person before?, London asks. Well, she hasn’t, but she does know it’s not exactly…natural, Christie, shifting uncomfortably. NATURAL?! What could be more natural than two people loving each other?, Dee says angrily. You know a lot of homophobic people are actually in the closet THEMSELVES, Dee loudly jokes aside to her wife, ‘maybe the lady teacher doth be protesting too much!’ Now, that is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous!, Christie stands up and shrieks, clearly overcompensating.

Dee looks at Christie, picking up on the fact that her joke unintentionally struck a nerve. ‘Oh my god, that IS it, isn’t it?’ Dee says. She was only joking before, but now she thinks she’s actually onto something here, Dee adds. No, she’s not onto ANYTHING, Christie denies. She knows that a woman is meant to be with a MAN, not with another woman, and that’s that, Christie says, overcompensating again because she knows that Dee is right. Christie can cover it up all she wants with bigoted comments like that, but they have excellent gaydar, they know a curious woman when they see one, London says. And it’s ok to be scared of something new, London continues. When people are scared of what they really want, sometimes that makes them…lash out, Dee says. But they can show her…they can show her that she doesn’t NEED to be scared, London says tenderly.

They can’t SERIOUSLY be suggesting that they…that she…, Christie stammers. Just watch, Dee says. She leans over and kisses London passionately. She pulls away from the kiss and looks up at Christie. See?, that wasn’t so bad was it?, Dee asks Christie. Christie clears her throat. She is clearly intrigued but doesn’t want to admit it. Does Christie want to…see more? Dee asks. Christie fidgets, still very reluctant, but her curiosity clearly shows in her face and is getting the best of her, and she bites her lip as she gazes at the wives. Oh, maybe she even wants to try it herself? London says, and the teacher blushes but doesn’t protest. Dee sees this and moves towards Christie. Christie gulps nervously. Dee leans in and kisses Christie softly. The kiss is at first tentative but quickly turns intense as Christie begins to like it and really gets into it. Soon, Dee invites London for a triple kiss.

Even though Christie’s a teacher, she’s the one who’s going to be learning a few things today.