The Academy

Seventy Eight

Tink:

"Mommy!" Delilah cries from the staircase. "Baby, what's wrong?" I demand, sitting up. "Alec went to wash off a cut that I accidentally gave him and these mean girls came in," she says sobbing. She dives against my chest, crying. "Honey it's alright, you're at home. Nothing is going to happen here," I say, rubbing her back and putting my chin on her head. "Mommy they called me anorexic. I asked Alec and he told me. And now I feel bad," Delilah sobs.

I hold onto her tight until she stops crying so bad. "I thought daddy was going to get you for lunch?" I ask, kissing her head. "Daddy did. We went to the little restaurant with the barbeque and then he asked me why I was eating so much. I told him and then we went back to school. I told grandpa and then Alec walked me home and said he was sorry for not being in the room with me," Delilah says, starting to cry. "Shh. It's okay," I say, holding her tight again. "You aren't anorexic. Baby you are perfect. You are beautiful," I mutter, kissing her forehead again.

"Is daddy still at your school?" I ask when she lies in my lap. "Yes. He said he was going to demand a meeting with their parents. He wasn't leaving until he spoke with them," Delilah says with a long yawn. "Trevor, stay with my baby girl. I need to go get Peter from the school," I say, standing up and feeling even more like crap. I put on a small jacket and my snow boots. "You're sick, let me go," Trevor sighs, grabbing my elbow and pulling me back to the couch. "No, you won't be able to get Peter away from momzillas. He's a freaking amazing father and that means he won't let some girls hurt his baby girl. Being the amazing father he is, if you get in his way he will punch you so hard you pass out," I say, taking Sarah's keys out of her coat pocket that was hanging on the coat rack.

"Sarah I really need to borrow your car, can you watch Samantha and Nathan? I need to go get my husband from Delilah's school before he gets arrested for animal abuse," I say. "Sure. But I think the Choose Your Own Adventure books are keeping a pretty good eye on them. Don't abuse a momzilla either, you hear me?" Sarah asks. I nod and go out onto the street.

"Hey," I say, coming into Xavier's office. "You heard what happened?" Peter asks, looking destroyed. "Yeah," I nod, running a hand through his hair. "Kelly's parents will be here soon. I'm sorry for what happened," he apologizes, looking at my sweatpants, tank top, and hoody with a disapproving glance. "This is Janice," Xavier introduces us. "I'm so sorry for what happened. I have no idea why Kelly would say something like this," Janice says, sitting in the other chair beside Peter. "Nobody is blaming you, we only wanted to know if you would talk to her," Xavier says. I can see Peter roll his eyes.

"Is there a problem?" Xavier asks, addressing Peter. "Yes. I actually am blaming her. She's the parent, the kid offended someone with out realizing it was wrong. Feeling bad for things is a learned behavior. Kelly had no idea it was wrong, she didn't feel like she offended a young girl because she believed it was okay," Peter said, putting no wall between his thoughts and Janice's feelings. "How are we going to handle this?" Xavier asks, dismissing Peter's previous statement. "Two weeks detention and no computers at home," Janice says. "That sounds more than fair," I say, nodding in agreement. "Oh look there is a brain behind the brawn," Janice mutters. "Go home Peter," I say when he looks over and glares. "Fine," Peter says, shaking his head.

"Let me tell you something Janice. I do not appreciate you insulting my husband. I don't appreciate your kid insulting my daughter and I most of all don't appreciate the way you were staring at him. Button your shirt, stop leaning forward. Being a cougar is not appropriate. He's married and twenty five. Discipline your kid and maybe we wouldn't be here," I say. I pat her shoulder and then leave the room. "Oh my god I love you," Peter laughs as he takes my hand and leads me out of the building. "I really disliked the way she was looking at you and the insulting you thing. I'm the only person who should look at you like that," I say, hugging him in the parking lot. "Baby, I love it when you get all defensive with momzillas," Peter laughs, kissing me. "You are going to get sick," I tell him, getting into Sarah's car.

"We're back," I say, coughing as we come into the book store. "Oh, hey," Trevor says, quickly backing away from Sarah when he sees Peter. Then he falls over one of the kids beanbag and stays on the ground. "You were making out with my sister during work hours?" Peter asks, laughing and putting an arm around me. "No, it's 6:23 little bro," Sarah laughs, helping Trevor up off  the ground. "Good luck. I would say don't hurt her but she's fully capable. You kids can stay down here if you want," Peter says. They barely look up from their books and nod.

"Go lay down, I'll be there in a minute," Peter says, helping me out of my jacket. I sit down and lay back on the couch. "I'm proud of you," I tell Peter when he sits beside me. "Lovely now come here,"

Peter says, pulling me into his lap and against his chest. "You are an amazing father," I admit. "You are an amazing jealous wife," Peter says, kissing my head. "Getting jealous is a talent," I shrug. "You're calling your sister to tell her about it aren't you?" Peter asks as I pull out my phone.