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desk read Dr. Paul Richards. Early summer sunlight pierced through the window. Dust motes were suspended in the rays. The principal leaned forward, his elbows on the desk.
    “This is a real problem, Mr. Fisher,” the principal said.
    Dr. Dicks was hairy—his forearms, his neck, even the collar of his polo had hair bursting forth. He was like a cross between a caveman, a dwarf, a marine, and a golfer.
    “I don’t see what the problem is,” James said. “My students learned the state-mandated curriculum.”
    “But they also learned quite a bit of controversial and inappropriate material.”
    James exhaled. “Are you telling me that it’s controversial and inappropriate to teach kids to think for themselves?”
    “We’ve had several complaints from teachers. Many of your students have been argumentative and disrespectful in their other classes. They’ve challenged teachers and administrators. I had to deal with Janelle yesterday. She called me a statist and said my argument was wrong because I was appealing to authority. I was just assigning her detention for being insubordinate. We’ve had a teacher corroborate that this disobedience has been encouraged by your class.”
    James shook his head with a frown. “These kids are learning. They’re gaining confidence. They’re thinking for themselves. And someone who is a critical thinker will not stand for half-truths and manipulations. These teachers who are upset are bullies. They’re not used to kids questioning them. But that’s what we should be encouraging.”
    The principal sat silent, his jaw tight.
    James stared. Here it comes .
    “I will not tolerate such deviation from the curriculum. I’m giving you an unsatisfactory evaluation for the school year. Next year you will have to meet with the instructional coach, and you will be subject to unannounced visits from me and the coach to see how you’re progressing. If you do not adhere to the standard, I will be forced to initiate termination proceedings.”
    James cackled. “ Initiate termination proceedings ? Are you going to fire me or launch me into space?”
    The principal’s face was set in stone. “I assure you this is no laughing matter.”
    “Does it feel good to have power over others?”
    “Mr. Fisher, you are not helping your cause.”
    “Seriously I’d like to know. Do you enjoy making people do what you want them to?”
    The principal clenched his fists. “I suggest you leave before you say something you’ll regret.”
    James leaned back in his chair. “The kids hate you. Shit, the staff hates you. Ole Dr. Dicks. What an asshole.”
    Dr. Dicks slammed his fists on the desk. “You’re fired, Mr. Fisher. You’re what’s wrong with education. You think you know everything, but you offer no discipline.”
    James smirked. “I doubt you can fire me for that. The union would have your head. I’m just telling you what people say.”
    The large vein in the principal’s neck looked like it would burst. “I’ll find a way to get rid of you. You can be certain of that.” He stood. “Now get out of my office.” He pointed at the door.
    James exhaled. “I’ll save you the trouble. I quit.”

Chapter 5: Protect and Serve
    Chapter 5
    Protect and Serve
    James pulled a cart loaded with trees across the gravel lot to his F-150 pickup truck. He dropped the tailgate and heaved the potted fruit trees into the rusted truck bed.
    “Hey, mister. You need a hand with those trees?” said a young man with a T-shirt logo that read Growing Dreams.
    “I think I have it, thank you,” James replied.
    James laid down the trees, so they wouldn’t get windburn on the drive home. He shut the tailgate and drove away. When his cell phone rang, he glanced at the number and tapped the green icon.
    “Hey, Yolanda,” James said.
    “I was just calling to see how you were settling in up there,” Yolanda said.
    “It’s different, … but I like it. Everything’s slower, more natural.”
    James drove