Page 47 of Beyond Perfect

Dressed casually in jeans, docksiders and a simple white shirt, Diego meandered to the front of the room and Jackson went to the back. The kids sat at two tables, facing front because Diego was using the computer projector. “Your reaction just now? That’s the first thing I want to talk to you about. Labeling anybody, even police officers, is dangerous.”

Nothing but frowns.

“Tough crowd. Here’s a sheet of paper numbered 1-7. I’m going to show you images and you’re going to write the first thing that enters your mind. Don’t think about it.”

“#1 thug.”

They wrote.

“Number 2: Family.”

He showed all seven. When they finished, he hitched a hip on the table up front. “Let’s share what you wrote. How about thug.”

“Gangbangers.”

“The cops.”

“Us.”

Jackson smiled. The kids were going to be fine with Diego. He walked out of the classroom and his phone buzzed. “Hi, Annie.”

“Jackson. Are you busy?”

“I was in your husband’s session.”

“How’s he doing?”

“Great. Got the kids with him right away.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“What can I do for you?”

“I’ve picked who I want to replace Maisy.”

Replace Maisy? No one ever could. He backstopped his reaction.

“Send me the name. I’ll call him or her today.”

“Okay.” She hesitated. “You sound sad.”

She had no idea. “No, no, I’m not.”

“We can still get Maisy back. If you want to try.”

“She has another job.”

“It’s only May. She still has a choice where she’ll go in September.”

“No. I’ll wait for your email. Please Annie, don’t bring up Maisy again.”

* * *

When Maisy walked into the house, Freddie squealed. Caleb glanced up from a book they were reading. His eyebrows skyrocketed. “What’s all this?”

Freddie clambered down and raced to her. “Wow. Wow. A dog.” She squatted down and he put his face to the puppy’s head. She picked out a Yorkshire terrier. “Who’s he for?”

“You, honey.”

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