Page 48 of Bleeding Hearts

“All great things, Maddie. This week I want you to visit our commons area.” She shakes her head vigorously, her eyes wide with fear. “Listen, before you tell me no. When it’s not busy. Not during lunch or dinner hours. Maybe breakfast.”

“I’ll try.” Her grip on the tissue tightens and grunts out of frustration. “But I make no promises. Breakfast is early and I hate mornings.”

Her honesty makes me chuckle. “Maybe a late one then. Before our class, that starts at ten.”

“We’ll see.”

As I wrap up our session, I reinforce how proud I am of her for looking after herself. Praising positive behavior is something I believe encourages those struggling.

Once she’s gathered her belongings, I open the door and tell her to have a great rest of her day. Then I make my way to my desk and sit down to add notes about our session. I like to do that while it’s fresh on my mind.

Just as I’m finishing, my desk phone rings, and I instinctively answer it. “Dr. Rogan.”

The line is silent.

“Hello? This is Dr. Rogan. Is anyone there?”

“Mom, I swear I didn’t fuck up.”

Hearing words like that from my fifteen-year-old son tells me my day is about to get ugly fast.

“Why are you calling my office phone and not my cell, Finn?” I hit the return key and close the program I was working on. “Explain.”

“First, I don’t know how they got in my locker. I let Gage use it, but he swears it’s not his either.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “Where are you?”

“Coach’s office.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes. You can tell me more then.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. Seriously, though, not mine. I think Gage knows more, but I can’t prove shit.”

“Ten, Finn.” I glance at the clock on my computer. “Are you by yourself?”

“No.” His word fades off. “There are three of us here.”

“Is your brother one of them?” I really hope not.

His next words come out rushed. “He is, but only because he heard about it and stormed in to defend me.”

To stop myself from yelling, I clench my jaw tight. “Tell him I said to go home. Who else besides Gage?”

“Nicky. He’s on the phone with his mom now.”

Well, at least I’m not alone. Why do our boys always get into trouble together? I was hoping for a nice, calm year after the summer I suffered through. Is that too much to ask for? Apparently so.

“I’m hanging up now. I’ll see you in ten. Tell Felix if he’s there when I get there, his punishment will be equally as harsh, and I’ll confiscate his computers.” I barely get the words out before I hear my other son’s voice.

“Leaving now. Good luck, man. And Gage, I’d watch my back if I were you.”

I hang up. I’m sure Finn’s coach will put a stop to the threat and remind my way too smart for his own good son that it would be wise to let the adults handle this.

As I’m walking out, I send a text to Nolan.

ME:

Sorry, but I need to cancel. Finn did something stupid, and now I have to go to the school to deal with that. How are you feeling?

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