Page 36 of Broken Discipline

“Yes, you do,” Leon interrupted.

Larkin gave a dramatic sigh. “He said I couldn’t play on the big kids’ playground.”

“Then what happened?” I asked.

“She pushed him. Then he pushed her. ThenIpushed him,” Leon said.

Larkin sat up. “You didn’t push him. You punched him, and we’re not supposed to punch. Mamaalwayssays that. It’s just pretend.”

“It’s not nice topusheither,” Leon said.

The two of them bickered and I took a deep breath.

A door to the side of the room opened, and Finn emerged. Relief swelled through me.

“His parents aren’t pressing charges,” Finn said. “Everything is cleared up.”

I stared into his blue eyes. “Please tell me you can’t press charges against toddlers,” I said.

“You can try against the parents,” he explained.

My stomach dropped, but I nodded, glad that Finn had taken care of it. Had he paid them money? Offered them his services? Or had he threatened them with Carter Care?

Finn was in a suit, not his uniform. I doubted he would do anything like that here.

The entrance doors slammed open. Stiletto boots clacked through the lobby. A tall, mid-forties woman with chili pepper red hair, fishnetted legs, and a busty chest came stomping toward us. My mouth fell open.

“Bunny?” I asked. “What are you doing here?”

“I guess you still have me as your emergency contact,” she said, swallowing me in a hug. “Or your kiddos’ contacts. Holy smokes.” She admired them, gazing with big, round eyes. “How the hell are they that big already?”

It had been years since I had seen Bunny. When I married Bruce, I left behind everything, even her, my best friend. She was one of the few stable people in my life, and this proved it; I had ghosted her, and she had still shown up.

“Mama, what do I say to her?” Larkin whispered. She turned to Bunny. “I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “You can say ‘hi’ to her. This is Bunny, my best friend from my hometown.”

“Bunny, like a rabbit?” Larkin asked.

“That’s right, sweetie,” Bunny winked.

“Hi Bunny! I’m Larkin. And this is my little brother, Leon.”

“I’m not little. I’m your twin!” Leon said.

“And you look just like your mama,” Bunny said, winking at Larkin. “You’re going to be prettier though. I can tell.”

“And I look like Daddy,” Leon interjected.

Bunny stole a glance at Finn. “He’s a little furrier than you, but I guess you can wait to grow your mane.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Carter,” the secretary interrupted. “If you’ve finished discussing your options with the other parents, then you’re free to take the twins home. They can return to instruction the day after tomorrow.”

“All right,” I said. “Let’s head home.”

“Nah. Catch up with your friend,” Finn said, nodding at Bunny. “Looks like it’s probably been a while.”

I turned to Bunny. “You want to come see the Compound?”