She turned her attention back to Ryan, Jake, and Mike. “What you attempted today was an assault on more than just me as a person; it was an assault on trust and respect within this institution. You three have decisions to make about the kind of men you want to become.”

The silence in the room was punctuated by the ticking of the clock, each second stretching long as the boys stood there, chastised and ashamed. For Ryan, the sting of embarrassment was acute. He had underestimated Mrs. Johnson, viewing her through a lens clouded by prejudice and misunderstanding.