Page 61 of Single Teddy
“Like I told you last time, Mr. Barnes, the kids can’t miss any more school. It’s only the start of the year, and they’re already academically behind.”
“And like I told you last time, you should mind your own business.”
I huffed.
“I am. That’s why I’m here, Mr. Barnes.”
“What? Are you here to tell me off?” He chuckled and looked to his mountain man friend for support, who also laughed.
“Mr. Barnes, I don’t think you’re taking this seriously at all, are you? We’re talking about your kids here. If the state thinks they’re not being looked after, or are being prevented from getting an education, they will take them away from you.”
“The hell did you just say to me?”
It all happened in a flash. One moment, I was standing there, breathing as easy as ever. The next, I was pinned against the porch railing, held up by the collar of my shirt, and looking Mr. Barnes straight in the eye.
“Mr.…Mr. Barnes, ple-please.” I choked. “I didn’t…I didn’t say…”
He stared at me as if he absolutely could and would kill me right this moment if he had the chance. And he did. Because as far as he was aware, no one was here to stop him.
“What were you saying?”
“I…” I started. “I was…I can’t…I can’t breathe.”
He eased his hold on me, and as I tried to recompose myself, I remembered the bug under my collar.
I coughed and pretended to tidy up my shirt just to check on the bug, and to my relief, it was still there.
“I wasn’t threatening you. I was…I was just telling you what happens when the school thinks a student isn’t keeping up and missing too many days. I’m trying to help you,” I got it all out before he attacked me again.
“You? Help me? How canyouhelp me?”
“Well, for starters, you can make sure your kids come to school. On time. If you can’t do that, the principal himself will raise the issue with child services.”
He grimaced with disgust as if what I was saying was unsavory or too ridiculous for words, but it was the truth.
The SEAL guys might want to take things slow, but if the boys kept missing school, there was nothing I could do to stop CPS from getting involved.
“I’ve managed to keep things at bay,” I said to smooth things over with the man, “but unless you work with me, it will all have been in vain. Can you promise me they won’t miss any more days?”
He looked behind me for a moment, and with a huff, he nodded.
“There’s also another issue,” I said, kicking off my plan to get closer to him and the kids.
“What?”
“The boys. They’re behind. They’ve missed so many days, and they’re struggling.”
“So what? Not everyone is great at school,” he said, and I bit back a retort.
As if he would know.
“I know. That’s…it’s true. But I want to make sure they keep up. That’s why I wanted to ask—offer—to tutor them after school so I can ensure they stay on top of things,” I said.
That wasn’t necessarily a lie, but the kids’ performance wasn’t such a major concern yet. Not that their dad would know, which I hoped would be the white, little lie I needed to get in on the inside as planned.
“Tutor? What does that mean?”
Did he seriously not know? Or was he playing stupid?
