Becoming a DeMarlo

28: "Do what you think is right."

Chapter 28: "Do what you think is right."

That night, I tried to convince Charlie again that Ms.Phillips was truly too strict.

"Kid, she's won national level awards from the education board for her teaching. She's the best tutor you could have. Of course she's going to be strict," he said.

"No, Charlie, she's not just strict! She's..crazy! She got mad at me for going to the bathroom. The bathroom! And she shoved me so hard," I complained.

Now I had Charlie's attention.

"She touched you?" 

"I mean, touched makes it sound dirty, but yeah. She sort of pushed me."

This made Charlie frown.

"Okay, how about Rick sits in during these sessions?"

"Then she'll know I snitched!"

"It's not snitching, Maya," Charlie sighed. "But fine. If you don't want Rick to be present, then just give it one more shot. If after Tuesday's session you still don't feel comfortable with her, I'll find someone else."

I figured that this was the most he'd budge on the topic and decided I could try to reach peace with Ms.Phillips, one last time. 

—

The next morning, I was slightly displeased to see that Elijah was already at the table when I went down to have my breakfast.

"You're early," I mentioned, bringing his attention up from his laptop. 

"Yes, I am taking you to school today," he said, dismissively.

"Another donation to Ms.Katherine Bridge?" I teased, making him clench his jaw.

"Mind your own business and eat your breakfast," he chastised, already seeming irritated.

I decided I didn't have enough energy to annoy him any further, so I kept quiet as I ate. 

When we got into the car, Elijah seemed distracted and stressed, repeatedly tapping his fingers against the steering wheel as he drove, with a hard expression on his face.

I didn't want to trigger his anger by speaking, so I stayed quiet and looked out the window. 

"Do you want to see Ross again?" he finally asked, catching me off guard.

I didn't expect that question from him. 

"I mean, not anytime soon. Why?"

Elijah's eyes darted from the road, to me, to back to the road.

"I'm thinking of...ending his suffering," he said.

"By ending his suffering...you don't mean letting him free, do you?"

"No. Of course not. That wouldn't do anyone any good. If he gets out he could get in contact with his old buddies. I don't believe anyone would dare to double-cross me, but there's always the odd idiots. And Ross has some cousins who might want to take him in, and I don't think he'd change his ways."

I was shocked that Elijah was talking about this with me. 

"So by ending his suffering, you mean killing him?" 

"Yes."

"Oh."

He looked at me tentatively. 

"Go on. Tell me your opinion."

"I don't have one. I already told you I forgave him and I'm trying to move on. Why are you asking me?"

This made Elijah sigh.