Page 35

Chapter thirty-five

Hazel James

I told Raven that I didn’t believe in karma, but I’m starting to think her UNO reverse theory isn’t far off from the truth. I get out of my car and slam the door. The noise punctures the air like a warning shot. June’s school is going to wish they had a warning. I’m the kind of person who gravitates toward sadness rather than anger, but when I heard my little June crying into the nurse’s phone, I saw red.

This morning, Emmett posted a photo of us together as a relationship announcement. I’ve stayed off of all social media. I muted my notifications and did my best to distract myself while Emmett was at practice. Then I got a call from the nurse saying June wasn’t feeling well. Only, that’s not what was really going on. Apparently, a few older kids heard their mommies gossiping this morning and they started being mean to June on the playground. As soon as she finished telling me that they used the word tramp to describe me and then her, I jumped in my car. Then, she said that her teacher didn’t do anything, and I knew this wasn’t going to be a nice visit.

I yank open the door to the lobby. The bell above the door swings and rattles wildly. A woman at the front desk lifts her head with raised brows.

“How can I help you?” she asks in a timid voice.

“My name is Hazel James. I’m here to pick up June Foster. I’d like to speak to the principal and June’s teacher before getting her though.”

“I’m not sure it will be possible to speak to her teacher, as classes are in session right now. If Principal Hadston is available, then she can speak with you.”

“The principal will do for now.”

I’ll make sure the teacher is spoken to before I leave.

“I’ll check if she has time.” The woman picks up the phone receiver on her desk. She turns around and murmurs quietly. I make out June’s name, but not much else. She turns back around. “She said she can see you in a few minutes.”

“I’d like to check on June in the meantime, then. She called me from the nurse’s office.”

After checking my driver’s license, she makes another call, letting the nurse know June has someone here to pick her up. A minute later, June is running into the lobby. I open my arms and wrap her tiny frame in a hug when she gets to me.

“I’m so sorry, sweet pea. Miss Hazel is going to take care of everything, okay?”

“O-Okay,” she sniffles against my shirt.

I hold her tight until a woman steps out of a nearby office.

“Miss James?” she questions. I meet her eyes and nod. “You can come in now.”

I spot a chair beside the office door and lead June to it. “You sit here, okay, sweet pea? I’m going to have a little chat with your principal and then we’ll go get a sweet treat, whatever you want.”

June sits down in the chair, scooting back until her feet dangle. She gives me a weak smile and nod. The lack of her usual exuberance throws gasoline on the inferno that is my anger. I walk into the office seething so much I almost forget to shut the door behind me so June doesn’t hear.

“What brings you in today, Miss James?”

Principal Hadston sits behind her wooden desk. She steeples her hands as if she’s a CEO in a room of board members. I rest my hands on the back of the chair, refusing to sit even when she gestures to the seat.

“I received a distressing call from June today. She told me that during recess, there was a group of kids bullying her. When she spoke with her teacher, nothing was done about it.”

“That is very concerning.” I grip the chair at her condescending tone. “I’m certain that her teacher would have done something, though. We have lofty standards for conflict resolution here. All of our staff is highly trained.”

“Are you questioning the validity of June’s words?” I keep my tone measured.

“She is only five years old.” Principal Hadston smiles. I do not.

“You’re accusing her of lying.”

“No, I’m simply stating that she could have easily been mistaken or missed something in her emotional state.”

I let out a short laugh. “So instead of investigating a serious problem that would compromise your lofty standards, you’re going to completely dismiss June on account of her age?”

She stands. “There’s no need to be hostile, Miss James. I know you’re new to parenting, but the families whose students attend here understand that our policies always have the children’s best interest at heart. No teacher would ever condone poor behavior from students.”

So she knows I’m dating Emmett, then. And sounds just as judgmental as those kids.

I cross my arms. “If you want to see hostile, you’ll keep refusing to do something about this.” I give her a smile that’s more a baring of teeth than anything else. “As for me being new , I might have just begun dating Emmett, but I’m very aware of the power that holds. It’s the kind of power that could get–I don’t know–a condescending, neglectful school principal fired with one simple interview. I’ve got reporters from every news network in the country begging for my time. Think of what would happen if this little story came up.”

She shifts and tugs on the sleeves of her blazer. “What would you have me do?”

I’d like to go ahead with my threat. Maybe throw something at this woman’s head. But I recognize that my bad week is coloring my judgement. I take a deep breath before responding.

“Reprimand the teacher, then the students. And the teacher should apologize to June. If anything like this happens again, I expect serious repercussions.”

Principal Hadston nods. “I will make sure that’s done. This won’t happen again.”

“Good. I’ll be taking June home now. This won’t affect her attendance record,” I state in a cool tone.

“Of course.”

I turn around and walk out of the room. My heart is a too-full washing machine. I had enough tumbling around in it, but now anger is bleeding onto the other emotions like a red t-shirt in a load of whites.

June looks up at me when I walk out, her eyes full of tears. I know this anger isn’t going to subside for a little while, but I’ll hold it back for her sake. How could someone let this happen to such a sweet little girl? Emmett is going to be furious. The thought both bolsters me and weighs on my mind. Yet another thing for him to worry about. My eyes sting as I hold my hand out and June takes it without hesitation. She wouldn’t have gone through this if it weren’t for me.

“What dessert did you decide on, sweet pea?” I do my best to infuse my voice with cheer.

“Can we get a big cookie like in New York?” she asks.

I muster up a smile as I lead her through the lobby. “Of course we can. Would you like to go home or to the park after?”

“Can we go to the park and look for pretty rocks?”

I squeeze her hand. “That’s a great idea, June. The sunshine will cheer us up.”

“I hope so.”

My heart breaks in half. This poor sweet girl. I’m tempted to go in and demand the teacher and kids apologize right now. But I walk her to my car instead.

She gets in, and I leave the door open even after she’s buckled into her booster seat.

“I’m sorry that those kids were mean to you.” I take her hand. “Everything they said wasn’t true.”

Her head dips. “Why did they say that word? What does it mean?”

I close my eyes and draw on my waning strength, then open them again. “Some people are mean when they’re jealous of how happy other people are,” I try to explain. “And that word is something you should never say. They shouldn’t have said it.”

“I don’t like being mean, I like being nice.”

I smile and run a hand over her hair. “I know you do. You’re the sweetest girl in the whole world, that’s why I call you sweet pea.”

She giggles. “I thought it was because I eat lots of sugar.”

I tickle her belly a little bit, making her laugh more. “That’s true too. How about we get some more sugar to make you extra sweet?”

She nods, a smile blooming on her face.

“There’s that smile I love to see. We’re going to have a great afternoon.”

“Thanks, Miss Hazel.”

I kiss her forehead and then close the door. Exhaustion weighs down on me. It’s starting to feel like my new normal. I’m happy June is okay. I know her mood will recover fast, but the idea that I played a hand in her pain knifes at my heart. A chocolate chip cookie may put a smile on her face, but it doesn’t fix everything. I wouldn’t change being with Emmett, but maybe if I could have gone about it a better, slower way, we could have avoided this situation.

A sigh falls from my lips as I open my driver’s side door. I’ll do what I can to make this situation better and keep it from happening again. Maybe a new job will help? I plop down in my seat and turn the car on to get some air blowing. The idea of someone else getting this kind of call makes my stomach turn. Yet again, I feel at a loss for what to do. I need Emmett’s help here, even if I’d rather avoid the conversation.

“Miss Hazel, are you going to tell Daddy about what happened?” June asks from the backseat.

“Yes, I am.”

“He’s not going to be happy.”

“No, no, he is not.”

“Should we keep it a secret?” I glance up at her reflection in the rearview mirror. Uncertainty lines her face. “That way he doesn’t get mad.”

“He won’t be mad at you, sweet pea. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“I know, but I don’t like it when he’s upset.”

I turn around to give her a reassuring smile. “We have to tell the truth even when it could upset people. It’s important to be honest.”

My words settle like rocks in my stomach. I need to be straightforward and honest with Emmett. I can’t keep dodging his questions about how I’m doing. It’s not fair to him or to June. So, even though it scares me, I’m going to do it. Tonight.