Page 37 of Bragg's Christmas

“She said…” Skye heaves for breath. “She said…”

Love Hill rubs a hand up and down her back. “It’s okay. No one’s going to be mean to you here.”

“Promise?”

Love Hill doesn’t hesitate to answer. “I promise no one will be mean to you if I’m around.”

What was I thinking? Firing this woman? She’s clearly made mistakes in her past but everyone deserves a second chance. Especially since she obviously wants to shield my daughter from any future hurts.

The principal clears her throat. “Perhaps we can return to my office to discuss the situation now?”

I hesitate. I don’t want to abandon my daughter.

“I’ll stay with Skye,” Love Hill offers. “You go.”

It’s the perfect solution but I don’t approve. I want Love Hill to be with me. To stand by my side as I navigate this new territory.

“I’ll mind your little girl. Don’t worry,” the nurse says. “Do you want a lollipop, Skye?”

Skye’s tears are forgotten as she pushes away from me and rushes to the nurse and her container of colorful lollipops.

We follow the principal back into her office and settle in chairs across from her.

“Who’s Meadow? And why was she being mean to Skye?” I ask before she can speak.

She frowns. “Meadow is a local girl. The problem isn’t Meadow. The problem is Skye’s reaction to her words.”

“Stop!” Love Hill growls. “You are not going to say, ‘sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me’ because it’s complete and utter bullshit.”

“Curb your language, Love Hill.”

Love Hill slaps her hand on the principal’s desk. “I will not curb my language. Words can hurt. They can hurt worse than broken bones. You should know this. You’re supposed to be this great educator who came to Winter Falls to save us uneducated ogres.”

“Be careful, Love Hill. The chief of police can be here in five minutes to arrest you.”

“I don’t care. Have your son-in-law arrest me. What I care about is ensuring that little girl in there,” she points toward the nurse’s room, “is treated with the care and respect I never got in this school.”

Mrs. West frowns. “I wasn’t principal at the time.”

“I don’t care.”

“What are you talking about?” I interject.

Love Hill waves away my question. “It’s ancient history.”

“It doesn’t sound as if it’s ancient history.”

She ignores me to stare down the principal. “What did Meadow say, Mrs. West?”

Mrs. West clears her throat. “She said Skye doesn’t have a mamma because her mamma doesn’t love her.”

Love Hill explodes out of her seat. “Who are Meadow’s parents? Where are they? Why aren’t they here answering for what Meadow said?”

“I thought it was more urgent to discuss Skye slapping Meadow.” Mrs. West focuses on me. “Violence is not tolerated in Winter Falls. Skye will be suspended for three days.”

“What about Meadow? How long is she suspended for?” Love Hill asks before I can.

“Ahem. She’s been reprimanded.”

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