Page 78 of Shattered Dreams

“Hmm, maybe.” I narrowed my eyes, looking at the space to see if a table large enough for our family would fit there.

“Cause Nathan keeps bein’ a butthead.”

“What’s he doing?” I ruffled his hair.

“He says mean things, like I’m stupid.” Grady shrugged his shoulders.

I crouched down to be on his level. “Son, you’re not stupid, and he knows it. But the only way he can get to you is to say that.”

Grady’s eyes shifted around, then he leaned in and whispered. “I kinda punched him.”

“Did Miss Norma see it?” I whispered back.

“No.”

“Okay, punching people isn’t the way to settle things.” I hoped my face showed firm resolve and not the pride I felt for my son shutting up a bully.

“I know.” He sighed. “But he called Harrison a really bad word.”

I felt my eyes narrow. “What bad word?”

Grady’s face grew red, and his nostrils flared as he whispered with disgust. “Faggot.”

“What?” Anger flooded my body. “Maybe I need to go talk to his dad?”

“I tried to take care of it.” He frowned.

Shit. I remembered standing up for my brothers.

“You did, son.” I held his arms. “Next time he says that ugly word, you let Miss Norma know.”

“Ain’t that snitchin’?”

“Sometimes you need to speak up.”

“Okay, Richdad.”

“I got your back, Grady.” I made him look me in the eye. “No one should ever say that to anyone.”

An old memory punched me in the gut, remembering when my dad call my brother Jeremy that. Which sent my brain moving a hundred miles an hour.

“Richdad?” Harrison came in. “Are you mad?”

“Not at any of you.” I stood up. “I get mad at people who treat others bad.”

“Yeah.” He nodded his head, and I pulled boys in for a hug.

“No one is allowed to mistreat you guys.”

“Not even dad.” Harrison leaned against me.

“Not even your father.”

“I’m so sorry we have you showing us so many places, Lindsey.” Jo’s voice came closer.

“Please.” Lindsey laughed. “I love helping people find the right home.”

They came up from the basement and Jo smiled at me. This was the fifth house of the day, and I hoped that smile meant she loved it as much as I did.

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