Page 12 of Steel

“No, Dinah. One thing for certain and two things for sure—you’re gonna show your ass, and I’m not trying to have to bail you out of jail for putting your hands on somebody.”

“I’ll act right until they say some shit I don’t like. When it comes to Nayelli, all bets are off. But I’ll let you handle it.” She was quiet for a moment. “You ever thought about her taking self-defense classes?”

“You know I don’t want her fighting.”

“Look, sis, there’s gonna come a time when it happens. She’s angry, Neha. She’s away from her family and friends. She’s dealing with these kids and trying and failing to make new friends. Of course she’s angry. It’s going to spill over at some point, and I won’t be surprised if she takes it out on one of those little girls. Prepare for that or pull her out of that school if they aren’t going to handle this.”

I sighed. I knew she was right. I considered how moving would impact Nayelli, but I didn’t think it would be this bad. I had to get a handle on things and soon.

Standing from the couch, I went upstairs to my daughter’s room. As I approached the door, I could hear her talking on the phone.

“I miss you, Grandpa. I hate it here.”

Of course she would call my father. He was the only close father figure she had, and they’d been inseparable since she was born. My daddy loved his grandbaby. He spoiled her, much to my dismay. There was nothing she could ask for that he wouldn’t provide.

Knowing that he could calm her down, I turned and went into my bedroom to take my shower. Thirty minutes later, I was dressed in some comfortable loungewear and slipping my feet into a pair of fuzzy socks. I could smell whatever Dinah was cooking, and it reminded me that I hadn’t eaten lunch today. Just as I got the socks on, there was a knock on my door.

“Come in,” I said softly.

The door opened, and there stood Nayelli. For a moment, she stared at the floor, twiddling her thumbs.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I don’t hate you.”

“I know, baby. Come here.”

She ran over to me and threw her arms around my neck.

“I love you,” she said, sniffing.

“I love you too.” Holding her away from me, I looked her in those pretty brown eyes. “I know you’re angry. I understand that. But let’s make one thing clear. You don’t ever speak to me like that again. I give you grace, but I’m not one of those parents, Nayelli. You show me the same respect I show you; you got that?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. Now let’s go see what your auntie is burning up in that kitchen.”

She smiled and linked her fingers through mine before we left the room.

The Next Morning

“I hopeyou have a good day, baby,” I said, kissing Nayelli’s temple.

“I’ll try.”

She waved as she headed down the hall toward her homeroom. I watched until she made it into the room before going into the front office. I had to channel my inner Dinahtoday, because I was beyond tired of this shit. When I walked in, I bypassed the receptionist and headed straight to the principal’s office.

“Ma’am, you can’t go back there!” the receptionist called.

“Watch me!”

Grabbing the doorknob, I twisted it and pushed the door open. Principal Joe was on the phone and jumped as I entered.

“Ms. Malone, I?—”

Reaching over, I ended his call.

“Principal Joe, how many times do I have to come up here about these little girls continuing to bully Nayelli? Just yesterday, she told me one of them pulled her hair at recess.”

“Ms. Malone?—”