Page 36 of The Dirty Saint

“Noah has been talking to the other kids about somematuretopics.”

I shake my head.

“I don’t understand.”

“Ms. Maya, I hope I am not overstepping here, but did Noah’s father…hurthimself?”

Suddenly, images of Christian dead in the bathtub flood my mind.

“Is that what he’s been going around saying?”

“Among other things. He also told Rio and Bella on the playground that you were kidnapped. I keep telling him not to lie, but…”

I throw my hands up. “Woah, woah, woah. You think Noah’slying?”

Mrs. Vera looks at me like I’ve grown eight heads.

“His imagination is very vivid, Ms. Maya—”

Imagination?I laugh.

I fucking wish it was just his imagination.

“What my son is saying is very much true,” I assure her. “But I do agree that it’s inappropriate to talk about.”

“A kid his age should not have had to go through all of that.” The accusatory nature of her tone is evident.

I inch forward. “Mrs. Vera, what exactly is this meeting about? Is Noah struggling because of his father’s passing, or are you here to make it seem like I can’t parent my child?”

I recognize my defensiveness. Hell, I don’t even bother to hide it.

“How is your home life, Ms. Maya?”

“It’s wonderful,” I answer. “Really wonderful. Noah and I live together in a beautiful home, just the two of us. Last I checked, being a single mother isn’t a crime. He is happy and healthy and thriving, and you wanna know how I know that? It’s because I know my son. So if you are going to sit here and make it seem like I am incapable because some crappy things have happened to me, then you must not have much life experience.

“It is one thing to look after my child, but it is an entirely new thing to act as if you know what’s best for him.”

I am not perfect. I have made mistakes, and I have caused people suffering, and I’m not proud of it. But theonething I have done right in this world is my child. I won’t let anyone degrade that.

I stand up and make sure to push my chair in. “I promise to have a conversation with Noah about the things he talks about with the other kids. I will also monitor him at home. Will that be all today?”

Mrs. Vera nods, clearly uncomfortable with my presence.

Good.

If you are going to mess with a bull, you cannot expect to not be shown the horns.

* * *

“Noah, sweetie, can you come here for a second?”

My sweet boy comes running over to me and jumps into my arms. I scoop him up and shower him with kisses. He giggles.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, baby.”

After planting one final kiss, I put him down.

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