“It was me, Aurora, Woofie, and Kimmie Parks. We were singingNever Getting Back Togetherat recess and Timmy and his friend Paul said that our singing sucked and then started making fun of Aurora. How come she didn’t tell you, Uncle Fitz?”
“That’s a good question, honey. I’ll ask her tomorrow. Did Mrs. Robbins ask to speak with you? Or the others?”
“Not me. I don’t know about Woofie or Kimmie.” Everly kissed Ronan and went to the fridge to grab a mini bottle of water.
“What do we do now?” Ronan asked, watching as Everly twisted the cap off her water and took a sip.
“I haven’t wanted to throw my ace in the hole, but I’ve been wondering if I should call Max Preston. See what he’s got to say about this.” Fitzgibbon sounded uncertain, which wasn’t like him at all.
“I’ll call him,” Ronan offered. “If you call it might look like you’re trying to use your influence to get him to change his mind on school policy. I’ll talk to him and find out what he knows and why no one spoke to our kids.”
“Yeah, that’s probably a better idea. I’m too emotional right now. I’d end up shouting, crying, or arresting his dumb ass.”
Ronan chuckled. “I promise you’ll get to slap the cuffs on if it comes to that, but I don’t think it will. I’m a very skilled negotiator.”
“Oh, really? Is that why Everly has one hundred and seven unicorns in her bedroom?” Ten rolled his eyes.
“Stop crushing my dreams, Ten. Fitz, I’ll call you back.” Ronan ended the call. “I don’t like this one bit.”
“Agreed. Let’s get you back to bed, little miss.” Ten made a move to stand up, but was stopped by Everly’s response.
Everly shook her head in a rare act of defiance. “I want to stay and listen to Dad talk to Principal Max. Aurora is my best friend and this isn’t fair. You always say that we have to stand up for our friends and that’s what I’m doing.”
“She stays,” Ronan said, holding up his hand for Everly to high-five. He tapped Max Preston’s contact and put the call on speaker phone.
“Ronan? How the hell are you?” Max sounded in good spirits.
“I’m good thanks, but there’s something I need to talk to you about.” Ronan took a deep breath in an attempt to keep his temper under control.
“Sure thing. What’s on your mind?” Max sounded like his usual jovial self.
“My niece, Aurora Fitzgibbon, is suspended from school tomorrow and I just wanted to get your take on that. My daughter and other kids were with her when this incident took place and none of them were spoken to. It doesn’t seem quite right to me.” Ronan hoped Max would be able to shed a little light on the situation.
“Aurora, suspended?” Max asked sounding confused. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Can you fill me in?”
Ronan gave Max the bare bones of the story and read him the letter that was sent home with Everly.
“Fuck me blue,” Max said, making Everly laugh. “Oh, no. Is that you, Everly?”
“Yup! I’m here to make sure Dad got the details right. But what you said was funny!” The little girl giggled.
“Promise me you won’t repeat it at school.” Max sounded worried.
“You got it. I’m gonna go to bed now, Mr. Max. I just wanted to tell you that Aurora would never bully another kid. I’m the one who said that Timmy smelled, and no offense, he does. I sat next to him in the sharing circle when he brought his nana to school for show and tell. If you need to punish me, I understand. I was wrong.”
“Thank you for being so honest, Everly. I don’t think punishment is necessary at this time.”
“Night!” Everly kissed Ronan and Ten’s cheeks and headed off to bed.
“I don’t know what to say about this situation. Mrs. Robbins most definitely didnotmention anything about Aurora, bullying anyone, or holding an assembly tomorrow. I just checked myschool email account and there’s no correspondence from Jill at all. I’m going to get in touch with her and then I’ll call Fitz. I’m so sorry this happened.”
Ronan nodded. “Same here. Aurora is a sweetie and would never bully anyone. According to Fitz, she’s very upset over being told she can’t go to school tomorrow with her friends.”
“I’m upset too. Thanks for the heads up, Ronan. Bye.”
“Bye, Max.” Ronan hung up the phone and set it on the table. “What the actual fuck?”
“Who is this new teacher anyway? We didn’t learn much about her at the open house last week.” Ten shuffled through Everly’s take home folder, as if there was something in it that could answer his question.
