Page 39 of Beyond Perfect

“Of course, I will. But I won’t see you every day. Plan curriculum, get into it with kids.”

An avalanche of emotion welled inside her. She couldn’t contain it. She started to cry. Annie came up to her.

Maisy burst into tears.

When Annie pulled her close, hugged her, she sobbed.

* * *

Jackson walked into the faculty meeting like an automaton. He’d blanked his mind of Maisy, but she would be here today so he had to face her. He scanned the group. “Where are Annie and Maisy?”

No one seemed to know.

He said, “Hang on for ten minutes. Have the coffee and donuts in the back.” He stalked from the room. Strode to the Humanities wing. He heard the sobs just as he arrived at the doorway to the adjoining rooms. Maisy was crying in Annie’s arms. All his anger dissipated. Taking a deep breath, he crossed to them and said, gently, “What’s going on?”

Annie gave him a killer look. “You should know.”

He touched Annie’s shoulder. “I’ll handle this. Go to the faculty meeting.”

She didn’t right away, then finally left them alone.

He drew Maisy into his arms and brushed a hand down her hair. “Shh, love. Shh. We can fix this.”

She shook her head. He held her, each sob twisting the stake in his heart. Finally, she calmed. Stepped back. “I can’t go to the faculty meeting.”

“All right. What do you need?”

“I need you.”

“I’m here. I never left you.”

She swallowed hard. “That’s not true. When you sent Frankie to juvie, you did.”

He gave her a handkerchief.

She mopped her face. “I have to leave.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“It is. I’ll come back tomorrow and finish my time here.” With that, she walked out of the room.

Fuck, what was he going to do?”

* * *

Maisy waited until her hands stopped shaking, then drove home. She walked inside and saw Mrs. Jenkins playing cards with Freddie. She’d come this afternoon when Caleb had to leave. The woman looked over. “Oh, I thought you needed me the rest of the day.”

“I do. I’m not feeling well and I’m going to lie down. I’ll still meet Caleb at the foster support group at four. I want you to stay like we planned.”

Freddie hurried over to her. “Are you okay Maisy?”

“Yes, honey. I just need to rest.” She kissed his head. “Don’t worry about me. All our plans are still in place.”

Upstairs, Maisy dropped down on the bed. She closed her eyes and sleep came.

After a nap, she showered again, put on jeans and a blouse and drove to the town hall. Went inside. Caleb wasn’t here yet, so she got coffee and took a seat, saving one for him.

People milled around.

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