I hate this man. I hate this man. I hate this man.
“Why do we have to go here? I don’t even like it anymore.”
I peeked in my rear-view, glancing at a very grumpy Emmy, who clearly wasn’t having any of my shit today. Greg wasn’t buying my shit, either…I was singing when he came downstairs to make sure I hadn’t lost my mind. I dodged every possible conversation he was trying to start about where I wasthe remainder of the afternoon yesterday, and I think he just assumed that I’d found a new flavor that didn’t actually make me wanna lay in traffic. He’s not entirely wrong if that’s his assumption, I’m just too much of an ass to admit it…even to myself. And I know Greg said that he and Maggie wanted to give this another week before they let Em decide what she wants to do, but…fuck that. Nobody’s screwing with my girl. I’m pulling my auntie card.
“We’re going because I slept really good last night, woke refreshed, I’m in a good mood, and it seems like a swell day to learn how to get my foot high enough to fit up somebody’s ass. You’re also a terrible liar, kiddo.” She just stared at me like I was five shades of insane.
“Bruh…”
My mouth dropped open and I lowered my sunglasses, looking back in the mirror. “Emmaline Grey…did you just call me,bruh?”
“…Um…yeah?”
I pointed at her reflection. “Rule number one? Greys don’t stoop. It’s beneath you. You’re five years old, where’d you even learn that garbage?”
“YouTube.”
“Good lord. Okay. Rule number two? If it’s not a true crime documentary, orBob’s Burgers? We don’t watch it. We also need to teach you how to read so I can send you home with the good stuff.”
“Daddy says your books are dirty. Do you not wash your house?”
I’m gonna kill him.
“Tell Daddy my house is cleaner than the back of his underpants.” Emmy giggled and covered her mouth. Did I mention how much I love her laugh? If I ever talk myself into the idea of punching out a little parasite…it’ll be her fault. Don’t getme wrong, Vivian is just as much my everything, but Em was my first little gremlin in a blankie and we’re best buddies.
No sooner did we pull into this parking lot, her laughter went as dead as Mr. Danforth, who I did an excellent job on today, and the look on her face was about as defeated as it gets. Somebody’s getting their ass chewed today. Be that a group of elementary-age little girls, or all sixteen of their mothers. Or fathers, I honestly have no qualms with either of them walking into Sunday service this fine weekend and actually having areasonto pray to God. I parked and shut my car off, turning in my seat to make sure she’s understanding me.
“Em…does your shit stink?”
“What?!”
“Your poo. Does it stink?”
She looked around like anybody could possibly hear us, and grinned, covering her mouth again. “Yeah? Don’t your poos stink?”
“Nope. My poo smells like jelly beans. And so does yours. You got it?”
“…No. No, I don’t.”
I dropped my forehead to the corner of my driver’s seat and snorted. “Okay. Lemme tell you how this is gonna go.” I popped my head back up. “You’re gonna go in there andpretendyour poo smells like jelly beans. You’re gonna walk with that chin raised up, you’re gonna do your wet spaghetti thing, show these little bitches how it’s done, and act like you don’t give acrapwhat they think…even if you do. You’re not here for them, Emmaline. You’re here foryou. I want you to pretend they don’t exist and show me what you got. Can you do that for me?”
I swore I saw tears well up in those blue eyes. It made me wanna get stabby. But she nodded and I nodded back, helping her out of her car seat buckles before we went inside. Her gymnastics instructor met me at the door to their training room.
“Hey, little stranger. You feelin’ better?” Em nodded. “We haven’t met. I’m Jenn.”Jenn…reached a hand out to shake mine, and I obliged.
“Seven. I’m the aunt.”
“Nice to meet you. Parents, or…well, family and friends don’t wait in here. There’s a room two doors down that you can hang out in unless you’re coming back to pick her up. There’s also screens in there with video feed if you wanna watch. Sorry, it’s a policy thing.”
“That’s cool. Is there a policy about kids bullying other kids?” Her face went slack. Emmy didn’t say a word. “Just trying to be transparent. There’s a reason you drew the short straw and got me today,Jenn. And if you’re gonna try to tell me that you’re not aware of what’s been going on? Well…you’remore transparent than you think you are. I won’t be going anywhere. Em…you remember what I said. Go in there and show me what you can do. I’ve got eyes on you, kid.”
Her instructor refused to look me in the eye after that. Told me all I needed to know. Another grown ass woman afraid to deal with the obvious. I’ll never understand it. It’s a stigma that’s been around for way too long. If someone had done this for me as a kid, I might have turned out a little softer. I guess it’s a good thing that I love myself and couldn’t fucking care less how rough I am around the edges.
I made my way down to the room she mentioned, and there were four other women in here. I didn’t recognize any of them, and maybe that played in my favor because…they obviously don’t recognize me either. I kept one eye on Em, sliding my phone out of my bag like I was bored and putting on the facade that I’d rather be anywhere but here. I stuck an earbud in for good measure. It didn’t take long. Never does with these cunts.
They started quietly chatting about the fact that Emmy was back. Made mention about how Greg only took‘half of the hint’since he dropped her off instead of taking her outta here altogether. I’m already about to snap, but I’m trying to keep my shit together long enough to see what else comes outta their mouths before I ram my fist into it. I caught one of them occasionally glancing at me out of the corner of my eye. I promised Mom that I wouldn’t do this anymore, but since I have their attention and it’s conveniently sitting at the bottom of my bag…
I dug around for my vape and pulled on it casually, making a show of pretending they didn’t exist, and then I glanced up at the screen. Em was handling a balance beam like a boss, and for all I put in, trying to convince her to stick her nose up at these assholes…she did me one better. Emmy was in her element. So focused and concentrated. She barely needed any direction from Jenn at all. I noticed at least two of the little girls watching her, and figured I’d spotted the one causing the trouble the minute she rolled her eyes. I hit my vape again.
