Page 3 of Fury

“That’s okay. I just wanted to get the backstory on Hope so that I’m able to help her a little better. She’s a lovely little girl. is she related to you?”

Bonnie shakes her head. “No, she’s a friend of mine’s niece. Her mother, unfortunately, is in prison and so she was sent to live with her uncle until it can be worked out. He is the only other family she has, but they’re not really familiar with each other. I feel so sorry for her, she’s really lost.”

Poor Hope.

It’s hard enough for her mother to be taken away, let alone to be sent to someone she doesn’t know. Kids have a level of love for their mothers, even if they do bad things, and I know how utterly heartbreaking it can be for them to have that taken from their lives. It’s truly awful.

“Does her uncle work?”

Bonnie gives me a sheepish smile. “Oh. You don’t know who her uncle is ...”

Now I’m curious. “I don’t, but you know I’m going to ask ...”

“His name is Ford, he’s a member of the Prisoners of Purgatory Motorcycle Club.”

Oh.

Oh.

Well, that explains a lot.

“Her uncle is ... a biker?”

Bonnie nods.

“Is she living at the clubhouse?” I gasp, praying her answer is no.

“No, she is staying next door with a wonderful lady who is in a relationship with a guy there. I know it sounds bad, but I promise you they’re really good people and she isn’t being treated poorly.”

I want to tell her that I’m finding that difficult to believe, but talking to her is making me doubt myself. She is lovely and kind, and maybe Hope is being taken care of properly, at least by the ladies. Still, the idea of her spending her time with bikers is concerning. I can’t help but feel that way, it’s not like they have a fantastic reputation. Everyone knows what goes on behind closed doors in that place.

It's not up to me to decide where she lives, though.

“Look, I’m not here to judge. I’m just concerned for her wellbeing,” I explain. “Hope came to school today with no lunch and no socks. I don’t know if her uncle is aware, but kids need to eat ...”

Bonnie’s eyes widen. “He sent her with no lunch? Oh my gosh, why didn’t you call me?”

“I tried to call the number on file, nobody answered. Don’t worry, I made sure she had food.”

I shared my lunch with Hope and made sure that she had as much as she needed. My stomach might be grumbling now, but I can rest easy knowing that the little girl didn’t go hungry. Not today, at least.

Bonnie’s cheeks redden with anger. “My gosh, I’m going to throttle him. Don’t you worry, he will not be sending her with no food again. I promise you that. I am so sorry.”

“Do you think her uncle will consider coming and speaking to me?” I question.

“I’ll give him no choice. He can bring her in tomorrow. Once again, I am so sorry. I didn’t know. I’m not giving him credit, because he’s going to get a backhand, but he had no idea he had a niece, and he has never had anything to do with children before. So, just go easy on him, it might take some time.”

I smile at her, nodding. “Well, she’s lucky she has you.”

Hope approaches Bonnie and Bonnie leans down, stretching out her arms. The little girl rushes over, embracing her. I can see she trusts Bonnie, and I’m certain that while Bonnie is around, Hope will be taken care of. As for the uncle, well, he’ll just have to come and speak to me. I think it’s time he learned a few lessons about taking care of children.

Whoever this biker is, he needs to get it together.

Or he’ll find me climbing all over his back.

I take my students’ wellbeing very seriously.

He’s about to find out just how much.

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