Page 58 of Cause and Effect

“I don’t know, Laurel.”

“Mom.” I took hold of her hand. “If you and Daddy don’t go, you’re never allowed to see your grandchildren again.”

“Okay, Laurel. Now, you’re being dramatic.”

“No, I’m not. I mean it. You will be relinquished of all babysitting duties. Please, Mom. Go on your cruise. We’ll be fine.”

“Okay.” She grinned. “If you insist. We leave next Friday.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Laurel

“Come on, girls,” I shouted up the stairs. “Breakfast is ready.”

Two of them walked into the kitchen as I plated their French toast.

“Where’s your sister?”

“Upstairs. She’s taking her time,” Stella said.

“She doesn’t want to go to school,” Sophie spoke.

“Why?” My brows furrowed.

“Because some boy is bullying her. I tried to get him to stop, but he won’t,” Sophie said.

“Why am I just hearing about this now? And who is this kid?”

“His name is Justin Keeley. He’s mean. A lot of the kids are afraid of him.”

The front door opened, and Julian walked into the kitchen.

“Good morning, Evans fam.” He grinned.

“Good morning, Julian.” Both girls smiled.

“Who’s ready to go to school and have a great day? Wait. Where’s Sara?”

“Right here.” She walked into the kitchen, sat at the table, and lowered her head.

“French toast?” I asked Julian.

“Sure. Why not.” He sat down next to Sara. “Why the somber look, kid?”

“A boy at school is bullying her, and she doesn’t want to go,” Stella said.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this boy, Sara?” I asked her.

She shrugged.

“I was bullied at school as a kid,” Julian told her.

“You were?” Sara looked at him.

“Yep. So were Parker and Roman. All you need to do is stand up to this boy, tell him you don’t like what he’s doing, and if he doesn’t stop, you’ll tell the principal.”

“Then she’ll be a tattle-tale, and it’ll make things worse,” Sophie said. “Besides, other kids reported him, and the principal doesn’t care.”

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