Page 68 of Fire

“He is her father,” I say, reflexively.

Nell can’t stand not being believed. I’ve always attributed it to her love of heroes, just like her urge to take flight. Whoever this little boy is pushed two of her biggest buttons in a row. First, he made fun of her for just meeting her father, then he called her a liar. Given the situation, I’m relieved she stopped at name-calling and pushing, though I’d never say that to the assistant principal.

“That’s all well and good, Miss Cole, and it’s certainly not for me to judge. All families are beautiful in their own way. Unfortunately, we have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying, and we take that policy very seriously. Because Nell physically pushed another child, she’s been assigned in-school suspension for two days.”

“In-school suspension?” My jaw drops. “And the other kid? He’s suspended too, I assume. He pushed her first…” I don’t know why it matters that both children have the same consequences, but it does. Nell’s a good girl…

“I can’t discuss those details with you due to confidentiality laws, but rest assured, the problem will be handled.” The assistant principal takes a breath then, “Nell’s very upset over this.”

“I’m sure she is. She’s never been in any real trouble in her life, and she hates injustice.” I struggle with my mama bear instincts. Is this injustice? Her getting in trouble for defending herself? Or is it better she learns that putting your hands on someone in anger is bad, no matter the reason?

“After some discussion with her teachers, we think it’s best if she takes the rest of the day off because of her emotional state. She’ll be waiting in the office for you to pick her up.”

Nadine doesn’t ask if I’m able to pick her up. She doesn’t extend the option to let Nell rest in the office until she’s feeling better and then head back to class. There’s just the assumption that I can drop everything to bring her home.

Sighing, I place my lunch back in my bag. “Okay. Thank you so much for letting me know.”

“You’re welcome, Miss Cole. I’ll be sure to call if anything changes.”

I thank the woman again and end the call, then stare at my phone in shock. My little girl is facing disciplinary action. The little girl who is sweet and kind and maybe a little vivacious, but has never been in any real trouble in her life.

What crazy, upside-down world am I living in?

I explain the situation to my boss and ask for the afternoon off. She’s understanding though annoyed, her thick eyebrows drawing together as she folds her hands together.

“I promise this isn’t typical,” I assure her. “Nell never gets into trouble.”

“My kids are grown, but one thing remains constant. Just when you think you’ve got everything figured out, they hit you with a curveball.” She smiles and pats my hand. “Take care of her, and take care of you. These surprises can be just as hard on us parents as they are on the kids.”

“Thank you so much for understanding,” I say, then gather my things and head for the door. My phone buzzes in my pocket as I step outside, and I curse when I see a text from Julian. He’s the last person I want to hear from right now.

Julian

I need your address. All your stuff is still here and I’m tired of looking at it. I’ll either sell it or ship it. Your choice.

With my mind entirely focused on my daughter, I shoot him Micah’s address, then climb into my rust bucket and hit the road.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Micah

First a little lunch—leftover Cajun from last night—then a swim. Then a shower and a shave and I’ll head to Tucker’s before Ivy and Nell get home from work and school. Pretty much a perfect plan for a perfect day.

I sit at the table and stab a shrimp with my fork, but the front door cracks open and in step Ivy and Nell before I take a bite. Ivy looks shell shocked and Nell’s face is streaked with tears. Her shoulders are slumped and her bookbag seems too big on her little frame. She swings it off her shoulder and props it against the wall, looking sadder than sad.

“What happened, Lightning Girl?” I stand from the table and cross the room, as if the simple act of being closer will solve whatever happened to my girls today. “Are you two okay?” I ask, with a quick glance to Ivy who grimaces and shakes her head.

Okay, then. Shit. I brace myself for everything from Nell getting picked on for her love of superheroes to Ivy deciding to return to that asshole in Seattle.

“Giuseppe said mean things about me,” Nell says, her bottom lip quivering as she steps into my outstretched arms. “Then he said I was a liar when I told him you’re my daddy, even though he knows we’re basically twins! He’s the one that even said it first, ‘member? So I called him Pee Pee Fingers, so he pushed me and I pushed him back and now I’m sup-spended.” Her bottom lip wobbles pitifully as tears well in her eyes so like mine.

“Suspended,” Ivy corrects, gently patting her daughter’s head as tears roll down Nell’s face. “Two days of in-school.”

“That’s not so bad,” I begin but catch myself. Just because I had worse punishments in my day doesn’t mean I should belittle Nell’s experience by comparing it to my own. There will be time to talk about my many trips to the principal’s office when she’s older and not so upset.

I replay Nell’s story in my head.

Wow. Actually, considering the circumstances, her punishment seems harsh.

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