Page 34 of Single Teddy
“Well, the boys missed school today, and I just wanted to make sure they’re okay,” I offered.
“What is it to you?” he grumbled.
I took a deep breath and straightened my glasses, trying to put on my most charming smile, which, I was sure, would do fuck-all for him, but one could only try.
“Like I just said, I’m their teacher, so I wanted to check on them. They’ve missed a few days already, and they’re late almost every morning, which is concerning.”
The man looked at me with an utter disgust that made my stomach clench. I didn’t know what he was capable of, but I imagined I wouldn’t like whatever it was.
“You should mind your own business,” he said.
I took a step back and smiled again because I was certain he wouldn’t like what I had to say. I didn’t, but it needed to be said.
“The thing is, Mr. Barnes, it is my business and the school’s business if your children aren’t attending school as required by law. We have a strict policy that triggers after five absences, and I wanted to ensure that doesn’t happen because then it kicks off an entire process with child protective services.”
The man’s brows sank even lower and his nostrils flared.
“Are you threatening me?” he asked in what sounded like a hiss.
“Threaten—god, no. I’m just describing to you the process and the reason I’m here. Will you please sit down with me so we can hash this out?” I showed him the stained old armchair and hoped he would take it, but he just crossed his arms and puffed his chest like a peacock ready to fight.
“Hash? I’m not giving you any hash. You’re an intruder.”
I opened my mouth, but I paused.
What the hell was he talking about?
“Like I said, I didn’t mean to intrude. I just wanted to talk to you for the kids’ sake.”
“And I said I’m done talking. Get the fuck out of my home.”
Oh boy, did I want to run out of there like my ass was on fire. But…but the boys deserved better. Definitely better than this ape of a man.
“The problem is I need to make sure you understand the repercussions of the boys continuing to be late and missing school,” I insisted because I had a death wish, apparently.
“I’m gonna give you a problem if you don’t get out.”
Clearly, this was going nowhere. And from the way his gaze kept wavering, there was a good reason why. Maybe I could try again when he wasn’t wasted, but I didn’t want to leave the kids with him.
“As you wish,” I said and glanced at the kids, who had stopped playing with their trucks and were looking at us wide-eyed.
They were breaking my heart with their silent plea, but I couldn’t help them. Not right now, not on my own. This required backup, and I didn’t have it at the moment.
“I’ll go, but please, keep an eye on your emails. We need parents to respond. And here.” I stretched my shaky hand toward him and waited until he snatched the piece of paper from my fingers like a Neanderthal. “If you need anything, please shoot me a message, or call the school and leave a message for me, and I’ll get back to you ASAP.”
He didn’t respond. He didn’t nod. Or huff. He just glared at me until I moved around him. I waved at the kids and ran out of there, feeling like an absolute failure.
I needed to get those kids the help they needed. I didn’t know what kind of parent that man was, but I could take a pretty good guess.
I got in my car, and as I put my seatbelt on, I noticed Mr. Barnes staring at me from his doorstep.
I tried to smile as I turned my engine on and got the hell out of Dodge.
I hadn’t even managed to apply the parking break when I got to my house before a black Jeep swerved into my driveway with a loud squeal.
I stared at my rearview mirror, unable to move a nail, let alone a finger.
Had…had he followed me? Had he come to teach me a lesson?
