Page 10 of Vengeful Reign

“Please sit.” She sets him down at the table and takes a set of tactile toys from her large tote bag. He takes them and throws them across the room. We both gently and quietly pick them up and set them down, pretending not to notice his behavior, and sit back in our chairs.

“Julia, why are you here?” I ask.

“The thing is…I need you to take him in,” she finally answers.

I suppose she must have learned from my family that I’m a teacher. Despite the name change and no contact, I learned that my brother found me and kept his distance. “Okay. Does he have his paperwork? I didn’t know you moved into the area.”

“It’s not like that, Nora.” A tear rolls down her cheek. I reach to the middle of the table and hand her a box of tissues.

“What do you mean?” I ask, setting the box on the table.

She wipes away the tears and clears her throat. “It’s a lot more complicated than that. I know that it’s asking a lot, and that we haven’t spoken to each other in a long time, but this is very important. You’re the only person I could turn to when it comes to John and his safety.”

She pauses and looks at the little boy who is struggling with the gadget, banging it on the edge of the table. She places her hand over his calmly. He shoves it away and continues without a word. “I need you to take him in as one of your students and also as your ward.”

My ears ring as the blood rushes to them. Did she just ask me to raise him? “What do you mean? Who is he to you?”

With a huge sigh, she answers, “He is my godson. Unfortunately, I can’t say too much more, or I’ll be risking your safety and everyone you know. Please. It’s very important thathe gets the love and help he needs. It will only be temporary. His parents are dead, and his extended family is out to have him eliminated.”

“Oh, my goodness. Why haven’t you gone to the police with this?”

“Nora, his family is well connected. I don’t have to tell you how that goes.” She had to remind me of family, and there it is—the reason she came to me. The one person who owes her more than anyone else. A favor for a favor. A life for a life. She’s right, though. As much as I don’t like this, and as uncomfortable as I feel, maybe I am the only one who can help them.

“You’re right, Julia. Is that where he got the scar?” He has a scar on his left cheek that looks vicious and yet fading.

“Yes. It’s still healing, but yes, that’s where he got the scar. It’s been crazy on the run, but I need him cared for properly and I know you can help him. He was born with a disability and you’re a special needs teacher, so it’s perfect. I want him to have the life he deserves.”

“I’ll do all I can. I promise, but we still have to fill out all the necessary paperwork.”

“Don’t worry about all of that. I have a friend helping me, and by the end of the day, you’ll have everything you need. Just trust me.” She stands up, walks around the conference table, and gives me a big hug. “John, I have to go.”

“You’re not taking him with?”

“Well, let’s just say that I have some things to do, but you’ll see me after school.”

“We get out at four.”

“His car seat will be waiting.” She walks out of the conference room without a backward glance.

I stare at the little boy who doesn’t make any eye contact, and I wonder if he’s seen any specialists for his autism yet. She didn’t name his disability, but it’s quite clear from a professional standpoint that he’s autistic. I watch him for a few more minutes as he seems unaware that she left. Strange. Then I see he’s fascinated with the toy car. I put away my work things and check on him again, but he hasn’t budged with his car. “Ja,” he mutters. “Ja, Ja,” he repeats more excitedly this time, driving his car, speeding the car around before he hugs it. He still hasn’t realized that she left yet, but he must be calling for her. That’s what the “Ja” is.

“John, it’s time to go into the other room,” I state, wanting to him to react.

“John.” I don’t want to provoke him, but I’m not sure what his triggers or his tics are just yet. She left without giving me any information about his personality, his likes, or his needs. All of these things are essential to his care. Damn it.

“John, are you hungry?”

“Food.”

A knock on the conference room door brings Rebecca, my boss and the head SPED councilor at the school. “Hey, Nora. The woman that just left dropped this off with the receptionist. She said she forgot to give this to you.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“Who is this little guy?”

“His name is John. She wants him to join our program.” He looks up and then looks around. I suppose we finally shook him out of his focus, and now he realizes that Julia’s gone. Panic strikes him, and he flips out.

Rebecca enters the room and slams the door shut, locking it so he can’t run out. “Oh, no.”

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