Page 21 of Shy Santa

“Don’t know.” I placed my hand on her lower back as we made our way out of the coffee shop and down the street where I parked the car.

“Bear, take a breath. What did the principal say?” She spun and grabbed my arm.

My cheeks flushed. Shit, I didn’t hear what she said after her announcing Ace was in her office. “Umm… I caught nothing after she said there was an incident.”

Addy opened the car door and climbed in, and I followed suit. “She would have said something if Ace were hurt. So, it might not be a bad situation.”

My attention focused on the wheel, I sat for a moment, letting her words wash over me. Lackman would’ve called me back if Ace was hurt.Right?She knew I was on my way. Maybe it wasn’t a physical injury that was the cause for the call.

God, how did parents do this all the time? And still want to have more kids. I wiped a hand down my face, turned the car on, then pulled out into the light traffic. “You’re right. I’m panicking, probably, over nothing.”

“It’s okay. You’re new to this.” She squeezed my bicep, then patted it. “Geez, you’re built.” She giggled, a heat in her eyes.

A snort escaped me as I navigated downtown traffic to 65 and got us back to Kissing Springs. “Do you mind going to the school and waiting in the car?”

“I’m not in a hurry. I can hang in the car while you go in.” She smiled big. “Or I might go in and chat with the secretaries. Been a bit since I had time to kill. I can get some of the early gossip before it hits the streets.”

* * *

“Mr. Alexander.Thanks for coming in. I’m sorry we had to meet again under these circumstances.” Ms. Lackman shook my hand. Her boney fingers dug in a little. “Before I have Tiffani bring Alice-Grace in from the councilor’s office, I wanted to talk to you.”

She turned and ushered me into her office. A bright and cheery place, with a large dark wood desk and two plush chairs situated in front. There were a few quilts stacked in the corner on a couple of bean bag chairs and one hanging on the wall in the school colors. I sat in a chair after she sat behind her desk.

“I know things are complicated with you gaining full custody of your daughter after her mother’s death, but I can’t make exceptions. Alice-Grace, I’m afraid, will have to be suspended for three days for her part in the fight.”

My hand held up. I tried to control the frown from taking over. “Wait a minute. Ace was in a fight?”

“Yes, Mr. Alexander.” Ms. Lackman looked like she wanted to roll her eyes. “I said as much over the phone.”

“Sorry, I panicked when you said she was in your office.” I rubbed the back of my neck. I always hated being called to the principal’s office when I was in school. As an adult, I must admit I still hated it. “What happened?”

I might be a new to this parenting gig, but Ace didn’t strike me as a fighter type.

“We’re still trying to piece that together. But it looks like she stepped into a bullying situation. Punched the boy who was taunting a couple of girls. I wish there was a better way to handle things, but the district’s zero tolerance policy on fighting means all parties involved get the same punishment.” She leaned forward, her voice dropping. “But between you and me, that girl has a great right hook. I wish I didn’t have to punish her, given the parties involved and Alice-Grace’s situation, but the school can’t be seen showing favor. You understand, right?”

“Yes, Ma’am. I do.” It impressed me that Ace had it in her to punch anyone. “If you could get her for me, we’ll be out of your hair.”

Lackman picked up her phone and asked the secretary to send Ace in. I stood but didn’t wait long.

After a moment, Ace came in, her head down and shoulders slumped. She wouldn’t look at me and her hair was a mess, her shirt torn. “Ace…” I called to gain her attention, but she kept her focus on the ground.

“Thank you very much, Ms. Lackman.” I offered my hand again to the principal, who grasped it in her boney grip.

“Alice-Grace, we will see you back at school on Friday.” Ms. Lackman held out her hand to my little girl.

I placed my hand on her shoulder, and she tensed up. I signed her out on a clipboard, and we headed to my car.

CHAPTER13

Bear

ADDY

“Aunt Shirley, what am I going to do? I can’t just work here. Short term, it can tide me over, but how can I make ends meet?” I slumped in the booth. It’d been a week since I quit and no one in town was hiring receptionists.

“Why not look at selling your stories? You know I’ve always loved them.” She snagged a couple of fries and munched. “I bet you’d make a killing.”

“I’m not an author, I write as an escape.” I pushed my empty plate to the side. “Plus, getting a publishing contract is hard and takes years. And if you get a contract, it’s a couple of years before your book is out for the world to see.”

---