Page 6 of Need S'More Time

What the hell?June watched teachers do this all the time - she was literally surrounded by them at work, but had never once thought of being good and respectful of students as something she found attractive.

The boys grunted out their assent to being touched, and Colin slowly, subtly brought out the truth of what had happened between the two boys. They had had a disagreement over a made-up game they were playing, and Evan had gotten heated and walked away but Xavier had felt that he needed to solve the situation at the current moment.

“Evan,” Colin said, his voice full of care and compassion. “I am really proud of you for deciding that you needed space. Do you understand why yelling at Xavier could have made him feel more upset though?” Evan wiped his eyes, nodded again. Colin placed a hand on his shoulder, gave a squeeze to affirm.

“And Xavier,” Colin continued. “I think it’s really admirable - do you know what that word means? I’m super proud of you, too, I admire you. Anyway, it’s admirable that you wanted to solve the problem right now, because that means this friendship is important to you, right?”

“He’s my best friend,” Xavier sniffled.

“But sometimes people need space to deal with big feelings, and part of being friends with Evan is realizing that he needs time for big feelings. Is there anything that you would like to say to each other?”

“I’m sorry,” Evan mumbled. “Next time I’ll try not to yell at you.”

“I’m sorry, too,” Xavier grumbled. “I can remember to give you space.” The boys looked at each other and then gave each other a huge hug. June smiled - these kids just needed coaching sometimes to re-learn how to be friends with each other. What pained her is that she didn’t have the emotional capacity for that effort anymore, and that was terrifying.

Evan and Xavier each gave Colin a high five and Evan ran to rejoin their group of friends playing tag, but Colin asked Xavier to hang back a few seconds for a one-on-one chat. Curious, June moved closer so she could hear what was being whispered between the two.

“...why did you call him that?” Colin said, his voice low, kind but firm.

“Call him what?” Xavier replied, a defensive edge to his voice.

“A pussy,” Colin answered.

“I dunno, I was just mad and he was being annoying.”

“Do you know what that word means?” Colin pressed. Xavier at first shook his head, but Colin waited in silence, and then, at least, Xavier nodded.

“It means girl parts,” Xavier admitted quietly.

“I see,” Colin said. “Why is it a bad thing to call a boy girl parts?”

“I dunno, because we’re not girls.”

“Is being a girl a bad thing?”

“No! But, we’re boys! And we’re supposed to be tough!” Colin nodded as if taking in this new information.

“Hmmm,” Colin said, pretending to chew over what he had just heard. “Who are the most important girls in your life?”

“My mom!” Xavier replied instantly. “And my baby sister, Theresa. And Ms. Lehrer!” Xavier caught June’s eye and gave a hesitant wave, which June returned without saying anything. This wasn’t her conversation to participate in.

“Right, right, and those women are fun too, right? They’re tough and strong?” Xavier nodded, his defensiveness moving from the words he used to the people he found important. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t think using words that mean girl parts to mean someone is weak is exactly kind or respectful. Understand?” Xavier nodded again - his neck must be exhausted from all of the nodding he had done - and Colin gave him one final squeeze on the shoulder, then he went over to join his friends for the remainder of their free time before dinner.

“Wow,” June said, walking over to Colin. He raised an eyebrow at her. She continued, “That was a top tier debrief. Those boys want to be best friends but…”

“But they don’t know how,” Colin finished. “Is Evan on the spectrum?” June nodded. “And Xavier?”

“Busy with family stuff all the time,” June explained. It was Colin’s turn to nod.

“I’ll make sure to loop in their counselors tonight. I’d bet a million bucks that they’re bunkmates, too.” Colin chuckled.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with this,” June said, grimacing.

“It’s nothing, and trust me - we’ve had way worse this year. And, if I wasn’t willing to deal with these types of disagreements, I’m probably in the wrong career.” June knew Colin had said that as a one-off, a joke comment, but she couldn’t help but feel like it was a comment meant to cut to the core of her.

“Heh, yeah,” June said, trying to sound casual. “I guess you’re right.”

“I’ll walk you to dinner?” Colin said. They turned and made their way toward the dining hall in silence for a few minutes before Colin asked “Are you okay?”

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