Page 21 of Beyond Perfect

“That wasn’t your decision to make.”

“I know.” He looked up when someone else came to the door. “Hey, Adam. Sit down.”

The principal took a chair next to Maisy. “What’s going on?”

“Tell him Maisy.”

She did.

“That’s so unlike you. I understand your reasoning, but you’ve never done anything like this.”

She just nodded.

He said to Jackson, “You want me to handle this?”

“No. I will.” He faced Maisy. “You’re suspended from your teaching responsibilities for a week. You can return the last week of school.”

Her eyes widened.

Adam scowled. “Jackson, isn’t that a little extreme?”

“No, Adam, it isn’t.”

She gulped back emotion and stood. “I understand. But please, help Frankie. Don’t punish him.” Near tears, she fled from the room.

“Jackson,” Adam repeated.

“Don’t defend her. This is hard enough as it is.”

“All right.” Bewildered, Adam left.

And Jackson was alone with his decision. He felt like shit.

* * *

“You what?”

“I got suspended from school. By Jackson Kane.”

“Seriously? What for?” Caleb was at his desk in the living room, working out his counseling schedule. Since he had a master’s degree in psychology as well as a PhD in Ministry, he’d decided to open a small practice. He was done with ministry.

“I didn’t report a student absence to Jackson.”

He focused on her. “Why would you do that? I know it’s against policy.” Caleb had taken time to learn the ins and outs of Pathways.

“I told him I didn’t trust him to make the right decision.”

“Wow. That must have landed badly.”

“He was hurt.” She lifted her chin. “But my primary concern has to be with Frankie.”

He studied her. “Then why are there tears in your eyes?”

“Because I’m hurt too, that he’d suspend me.”

“But you understand how he feels.”

“I do and it kills me.”

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