Page 69 of Broken Grump

“Seriously? This early?” When she made a similar announcement, it was much later in the day.

“Yeah, she had a half-day today. Stupid parent-teacher conferences or whatever.”

“Oh, okay.” I remember having those when I was a kid. Although something tells me, Luna either doesn’t get the bad reviews I got. And even if she did, I’m sure Addie would handle punishing her children for them better than my father did. After shuddering at the thought of the intense beatings I’d get after each one of those meetings, I simply say, “Well, I guess I’ll be seeing you then. If I hear from Randall before you do, we’ll be in touch.”

I was feeling charitable and gave Lionel the day off to be with his young granddaughter, so I drove myself today.

Without another word from her, I reach for the handle and when I was just about to start pulling it open.

“Hey, Hayden?” I hear from behind me.

“Yeah?”

“Would you like to come with me to get her?”

I balloon of joy suddenly starts building inside of me. “Of course. I’d love to.”

“Great. Come on.”

***

Perhaps naively, I half expected her to act just as excited to see me as I was to see her. But after slumping out to the car with her head hung low, she simply looks up at me and nods.

I’ve never seen her in such a solemn mood.

Her mother catches onto it immediately and crouches down at her side.

“Baby? What’s wrong?” To soothe her even more, she starts peeling light hairs, which have come undone from the braid running down the back of her head, out of her face.

“Nothing. Can we please just go home now?” She stomps away from Addie, climbs inside the car, and slams the door shut.

When Addie stands again, she looks as perplexed as ever. “I have never seen her like that in my entire life. She’s usually so happy to see me. Oh, God.” Her fingers come up to her lips. “Is this happening already? I thought I had at least a few more years before she’s totally embarrassed by my very existence.”

I reach for her and hug her to my side. “I honestly don’t think this one is on you, Adds. She didn’t seem interested in me either.”

“Oh, yeah. I suppose that’s true.”

Thanks.

“No offense.”

“None taken. But I’m wondering if something happened at school today.”

“Right.” She looks around silently before apparently spotting Luna’s teacher. “If you don’t mind, I’m just going to go have a little talk with her. You’ll be okay—”

I already know how she feels about people watching her child, but I assure her we’ll be right here in the parked vehicle where she can see us at all times.

“Alright. Thank you, Hayden.”

“Don’t mention it.”

As we wait for Addie to return, we mostly sit in silence.

When I look back at her, her face is expressionless as she rests against the back of the seat.

“You sure everything’s alright? Whatever it is, you can talk to me. I know you don’t know me very well, but I’d like to help if I can.”

“Can we please just get some ice cream?”

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