Page 10

10

EVER AGAIN

Hayden

“Is the new school going to be bigger than the old one?” Maiden asked from the backseat.

“Actually, it’s gonna be smaller, champ. But you’ll make lots of new friends. It’s gonna be so much fun.”

“Okay,” Maiden said quietly, a stressed look spreading across his face. “Daddy? I feel weird in my tummy.”

“Aw, you know what? That’s how I feel before every hockey game.”

“Really?”

“Yup! But then I just remember my name and that I’m strong and awesome and I don’t need to be scared of anything. Now, what’s your name?”

“Maiden.”

“Maiden what?”

“Maiden Raynor!”

“Yeah! And who’s strong and awesome? ”

“Maiden Raynor!”

“That’s right! We don’t need to be scared, because we’re 100% awesome!”

Maiden smiled and looked half-happily out of the window. I remembered how hard it was to move schools as a kid. The fear of fitting in, of getting teased for my size or my looks. I was a big kid even at Maiden’s age, and if you stood out, you were a target. I guess that’s why I got into so many fights. That, and the fact that my father prepared me for violence at a young age. I shuddered and quickly shook off the dark feelings that just the thought of that man gave me. Maiden might have had to put his fists up—the very reason why we had to change schools mid-term—but at least he didn’t have to take a beating at home too.

The sign for Parkford Junior Primary School came up and we took the turn, “So, here’s your new place, Raynor Junior. Looks nice!”

Maiden and I were looking out the window, seeing the school for the first time, when I had to slam my brakes on hard to avoid hitting two women who stepped out in front of the truck.

“Hey, watch it!” I yelled out of the window.

One of the faces staring back at me was familiar... Susan? Saranda? Damnit, what was her name? The one from last night.

After an uncomfortable moment of them gawping at me open-mouthed, they both finally stepped away from the front of my truck and I quickly drove on through the parking lot. In the rear window I saw them both turn, still wide-eyed and open-mouthed, their eyes following me.

“What the hell?” I muttered.

“What’s that Daddy?” Maiden chirped.

“Nothing champ, let’s get you to your new school. ”

Sarah

“Was that…?” I mumbled to Kensy.

She looked back at me with wild bulging eyes, “Uh-huh.”

My eyes narrowed and the anger in my blood began to boil at the thought of that rude, arrogant, and self-entitled monster.

“What in the hell is he doing here?” I muttered.

“Perhaps you made more of an impression on him than you thought?” Said Kensy, hopefully.

The black look I gave her back told Kensy everything she needed to know. Furious at having to see his big, obnoxious, blockhead again, I watched the truck turn a corner in the parking lot, then made my way into the school, seething.

Inside the staff room, I got to the coffee pot just in time to watch Hicks pour the last drop into his cup.

“Oh, sorry Sarah,” he smiled at me.

“Yeah, it’s okay. It’s the cheapest coffee in the world. I’m not even sure it’s not painted rice, to be honest.”

“Sarah, a word please?” Jill’s voice was unmistakable. The sound of someone trying to sound more above their station than they really are.

She waited for me to come to her, even though she could just as easily come to me in the first place. It was a matter of principle. Being as she was the principal.

“We have a new one starting today. Had a bit of trouble at his last school, but his father made a rather helpful donation to our library fund, and I’m sure we can handle him.”

“Uh-huh,” I nodded back. Just what I needed today, an unruly new kid to disrupt the class. Jill looked at the sheet of paper in her hand.

“Erm, Maiden Raynor. ”

I stared at her.

“Oh, is there a problem?”

“No. It’s just, I thought you said… Hayden Raynor?”

“Ah, no, it says here Maiden Raynor. He’s outside with his father in the hallway if you could introduce yourself?”

I knew what was happening, but it was so unbelievable that I couldn’t quite actually conceive it was true. I had to be mistaken. This couldn’t be… I turned the corner and there he was, wearing that same stupid face that he had when we first met. Annoyingly gorgeous, and massive turd, Hayden Raynor. His ham hock of a hand resting on the shoulder of an awkward and shy-looking boy.

So, the brute had multiplied, just what we all needed.

“Hey. Um, didn’t we?” Hayden started to say, uncomfortably.

Ignoring the half-grinning ogre that seemed to be blocking out every inch of sunlight, I kneeled down and smiled at the little boy who was trying to hide behind him, putting myself at his level.

“Well, hi there.”

“Say hi Champ,” the big ape said from above us, looking down at the nervous boy clinging onto his trouser leg. He managed a shy wave before burying his face back into his dad’s pants.

“It’s Maiden, right?”

A little nod.

“I’m Sarah, and I’m so excited to meet you! Do you like dinosaurs, Maiden?” I said, noticing the stegosaurus pattern on his shirt.

“He LOVES ‘em! Don’t you champ?”

I glared up at Hayden and he looked back at me, quickly understanding his interruptions were not welcome .

“Well, we’ve got LOTS of dinosaurs here. You want to come see them?”

Maiden looked hesitant, but the idea of dinosaurs was too big a pull and he let go of his dad’s leg and turned to me, nodding.

“Oh, I can’t wait to show you! My favorite one is Marvin. He’s a stegosaurus. Let’s go see, okay?” I stood and offered my hand and he took it.

I noticed Hayden’s expression as we turned. A worried and concerned look. I’d seen a glimpse of it at our dinner. Now, it was painted across his big, stupid face as he watched his child walk away.

I wasn’t sure it could get any worse. As it turned out, it only took half a day before there was trouble.