Page 141 of Wicked Dreams

And then I remembered the chat we’re supposed to have.

So here we are, food in front of us that I’m too nervous to eat.

My mouth waters at the smell of bacon, but my flipping stomach prevents me from reaching out and taking a slice.

“We understand that these things happen,” Lenora says. “Kids drink. Next time, please call us to come get you. We’d rather you be safe and in trouble than seriously hurt.”

I wrap my arms around my stomach. The guilt of something terrible happening, and them not knowing about it, hits hard.

“Your social worker mentioned that your dad is in jail,” Robert says. “He’s actually quite close?—”

“No.” I want to crawl out of my skin at the thought of my dad in an orange jumpsuit.

“Are you angry with him?” Robert asks. “I can’t imagine how you must feel, and we just want to understand?—”

“I can’t do this right now,” I whisper. “Did Ms. McCaw suggest I see him?”

They trade a look. It’s not a no, but it’s not quite a yes either.

Lenora presses on. “We know your mother is?—”

—my head snaps back?—

“I’m doing okay, aren’t I? Going to school, making friends. My grades are good.”Ish. “You’re letting me be a normal teen with… not a lot of worries, really.” I manage to smile at them. “Thank you for that.”

Somehow this turned into a heart-to-heart.

“We love having you here,” Lenora says.

I meet her gaze. “I love being here.”

She sniffles. “Okay, enough of this. As long as you’re content, and we’re doing a good job… let’s eat.”

“And you’re officially ungrounded,” Robert adds.

I beam.

“How’s your painting coming along?” he asks.

I start loading my plate. My anxiety has eased, and suddenly I’m ravenous. They’ve prepared a feast of breakfast foods.

And then I register his question and slowly set down my fork. “Oh, um…”

The answer? Not great.

Not only have I pushed it so far to the bottom of my to-do list that I’d forgotten about it, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to come out awful.

“Do you need help?”

I squint at him. “Are you allowed to help me? Being the teacher and all?”

Lenora laughs. “Probably not, but that won’t stop him.”

“I can give feedback,” he allows. “And maybe point you in the right direction. Just like I would do for every other student who asked for help.”

“I just need to put the time in. I’ve been preoccupied.”

He nods. “I’ve noticed.”

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