I was just trying to get some quiet time in the school library. My kid was in a club meeting down the hall, and I figured I could catch up on some emails on my phone while I waited. It was a pretty quiet afternoon, just a few other parents wandering around, maybe a teacher or two finishing up some work. I was sitting at one of the big tables, minding my own business, when this person just materialized next to me. They cleared their throat real loud, which made me jump a little.
I looked up, and they were staring right at me, like I was supposed to know what they wanted. I just gave them a small nod, hoping they’d move along. But no, they didn’t. They just stood there, tapping their foot.
“Excuse me,” they said, with a tone that already told me they weren’t asking nicely. “I need to find the specific form for student registration that includes the elective choice sheet for the advanced drama club. Where are those kept?”
I blinked. My brain took a second to process what they’d said. I definitely didn’t know where any forms were kept. “Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, trying to be polite. “I don’t actually work here. I’m just waiting for my child.”
They squinted at me. Their jaw tightened a little. “What do you mean you don’t work here? You’re sitting right at a staff table. You’re clearly an employee.”
I felt a surge of confusion. “No, really. This is just a public table in the library. Anyone can sit here. I’m just a parent.”
“Don’t play games with me,” they said, their voice rising a little. “I saw you earlier walking around the main hall. You look like you work here. Now, where is that form? I don’t have all day.”
My muscles started to tense up. I really didn’t want to deal with this. “I truly don’t know. I can’t help you. Maybe you should ask someone at the front desk.” I gestured vaguely towards the library entrance, hoping they’d take the hint.
They planted their hands on their hips. “You are being incredibly unhelpful. Is this how you treat all the parents who come in here? I just need a simple form. You should know where it is if you’re working in this building.”
A headache was starting to form right behind my eyes. I sighed. “I am not an employee. I have no access to forms, nor do I know where they are. I am a volunteer parent, just like many others who come and go.” I started to pack up my phone and bag, thinking if I just stood up and walked away, they’d let it go.
As soon as I pushed my chair back, they took a step forward, practically blocking my path. “Oh no you don’t! You’re not going to walk away from me! I demand you help me find this registration packet!”
A knot began to form in my stomach. “I literally cannot help you. I don’t have the information. Please move, I need to go.”
They scoffed. “I can’t believe how unprofessional you are being! I’m going to make sure the principal knows about this. You’ll be fired for treating a parent like this!”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Fired? From a job I didn’t even have? My cheeks felt hot. I tried to sidestep them, but they moved with me, continuing to block me. Their voice was getting louder and sharper, echoing a bit in the quiet library. “You are absolutely ridiculous! I need that form for the drama club! It’s for my child’s future! You are ruining everything!”
Other people in the library were starting to look over, which only made my embarrassment worse. I just wanted to disappear. “I don’t work here!” I practically hissed, my patience completely gone.
“That’s a lie! You just don’t want to do your job! I pay my taxes for this school, and I expect better service than this! You are a disgrace to the staff here!” they yelled. They started waving their arms around, pointing at me.
Suddenly, the librarian, who had been behind her desk, stood up. “Is everything alright over here?” she asked, her voice calm but firm. She started walking towards us.
“No, everything is not alright!” the person screeched, turning to face the librarian. “This employee here refuses to help me! They are rude and unhelpful and tried to walk away when I asked for a simple registration form! They should be disciplined immediately!”
The librarian looked at me, then back at the person. “Ma’am, I believe you are mistaken. This person does not work for the school. They are a parent, just like you.”
“Don’t lie for them!” the person shrieked. “I know a worker when I see one! They’re just trying to get out of doing their job! I demand you fire them right now!”
My jaw dropped. The librarian just sighed and pulled out her phone. A few moments later, a security guard was walking briskly towards us. The person kept yelling, even as the guard tried to talk to them, insisting I was an employee and should be fired. It got to the point where the guard had to firmly escort them out of the library, still protesting and threatening to call the school board on everyone.
