Band-aids Over Bullet Wounds

The Journey Starts Now

SIX MONTHS LATER:
   
    I got a stupid gold star, a sticker.  I got a sticker that was a tiny little gold star for 'graduating' training.   I'd spend the last six months being grilled with real training.  Hacking systems, infultrating techniques, how to be undercover, and more. I learned how to make friends all over again, in a sneaky self benefiting way.  Learning how to manipulate people was probably the best part. 
    Paul had been a great trainer, and I felt safe knowing he'd been the one to initally train me.  I felt that I could handle a drug bust because he'd truly prepared me.
    Paul and I were getting our first assignment together, tomorrow.  I was scared beyond belief.  I'd been waiting for this since I was a little kid, and here it was.  It was surreal.  All of it.    
    "Daddy, are you listening to me?" Mckennzie snapped at me from the backseat.
    "Sorry baby, daddy's listening." I spied her in the rearveiw mirror.  We were on our way to pick up the boys from preschool, and were stopped at a red light.  Mckennzie must have been talking to me because I missed every word.
    She'd intergrated well.  She seemed to like school, and already had some friends that liked to come over for play dates.  She seemed to love her ballet class here in Virginia more than she had in Chicago.  For that I was undeniably greatful.  The two boys were different stories though.  For some reason, and I didn't know what it was because they refused to speak about it, but they didn't seem to like school.  I'd considered multiple times to transfer them to a different one, even if they were more expensive.  The DEA payed better than the police force ever had.  I'd been finding myself with extra cash that I didn't even know what to do with.  We were finally settled into the house, meaning I'd finally dragged myself to putting everything away neatly, and for the most part we were happy here.  It broke my heart to see the boys unhappy, and yet I couldn't bring myself to move them incase it meant having to move to a different house to accomedate their schooling zone.  I had to think of something quickly because my boys were suffering.
    "Then what did I say?" She was sassy, that was foresure.
    I laughed, guilty. "I'm sorry Mac and cheese.  I missed what you said,"
    The light turned green and I pressed the gas. "My ballet recital daddy.  I get to do my own dance!"
    "All by yourself?" I was genuinely shocked.  My little girl was amazing, but she'd never had a solo.  If what she said was true this was amazing.
    She nodded proudly, giving me that big toothy grin, with one front tooth missing.  G-d bless her, she was just adorable.
    "Your instructor didn't call me," I thumbed through my phone when we came to a second red light to see if I'd missed any calls.  Usually when I was in training me phone wasn't accessable.  It made me extremely nervous incase my children's schools ever had to get in touch with me.  I was the only parent, and so they DEA had let me check my phone periodically through the day just to make sure that everything was going alright.
    Mckennzie just shrugged helplessly, and told me go because the light had changed.
    "When did you become such an expert at driving huh?" I teased her through the mirror.  She just giggled like the cute little girl she was as I drove into the boy's school parking lot.
    Once parked I got out of the car, helping out Mckennzie.  Mckennzie and I leaned on the hood until we heard the bell blaring, and a moment later children came streaming out in search for their parents among the countless mom's and dad's waiting.
    My boy's were always stragglers.  Always coming out minutes later then the rest of the kindgardners.  Mckennzie spotted them first before they say us.  I pushed off the hood, rolled up my sleeves and grinned as Noah and Sammy finally noticed us.  Noah took off like a rocket, and not a moment later he was slamming into my arms, crying from the pure joy of seeing me.  Sammy barrelled into my leg seconds later.  I picked up both boys, one in each arm, and gave them big kisses.  I missed them so much during the day.  During my two year absense I was with them everyday, all day.  The hardest part about going back to work was not being with them.
    As is completely obvious, I'm a bit of a sap when it comes to my children.  They mean everything to me.  I love them more than I love myself.
    "Hey bug, how was your day?" I asked Sammy as I put both boys back on the floor.
    "No dada," Noah reached up for me again. I only took his hand and guided my kids back to the car.
    Sammy just shrugged in response softly, not quite meeting my eyes.  Sammy hated it more than Noah, and I had yet to find out why.
    "What about you mister, get into any trouble I should know about," I yanked open the car door and helped Noah climb in first, buckling him up safely.  Noah liked the middle.  He refused to ever sit on the sides.  He always, and I mean always had to sit in the middle.
    Noah laughed and said no, going in for the grab of my ear while I buckled him up.  "Later Noah okay?" I pried his twitchy fingers from my ear.  He moaned sadly.  I gave him a look and he let it go.  Backing out of the car I proceeded to help Sammy who was much more silent today.
    "Sammy, are you alright?" Once he was sitting I caught his chin and forced him to look at me.
    "I don't like it here," He mumbled pathetically. 
    "Why not?" I probed.
    "Because," He snapped.
    "Because why?" And I knew by the look on his face that the waterworks were coming soon.  I eased back quickly, grabbing up his seat buckle to hold him at bay.  "Alright Sammy.  We'll talk about it later."
    He let out a shaky breath and bit his little lip to contain himself.  Mentally not in the mood for a meltdown I closed the door before any tears came out.  Mckennzie was waiting for me patiently with her hand outstretched.  I took her to the other side of the car and helped her in quickly.  When I finally got into my own seat my three children were already fighting about something stupid, and two out of the three were crying. 
    It was going to be a really long afternoon because they fought the whole way home, and I didn't have it in me to tell them to stop.  I didn't even have it in me to pull over when Sammy started screaming and hollering in frustrated tears and wouldn't stop even after we got home and I hugged him until he didn't want to be huged anymore.
    Sometimes I felt like a really bad father.  I tried to tell myself I wasn't, that today was just a bad day.  Sammy got clingy that night, and Sammy never really got clingy.  After dinner he'd refused to go anywhere that I didn't go, and if I tried to leave him alone he'd get angry and cry.  I ended up holding him tight while we sat on the couch and watched a silly cartoon until it was bedtime.  Even then he wouldn't let me go to my own bed, and insisted I sleep with him.  I knew it was bad to indulge my children this way, but I ended up sleeping in Sammy's bed with him that night.   I never slept with Sammy, usually it being Noah that needed the extra reassurance.  When Sammy insisted I stayed with him all night, I knew something was wrong at that school, and I had to do something about it.  I couldn't continue to let my child be miserable there.
    The next morning, with a stiff neck from Sammy's little bed I tried to take the boys to school, but Sammy refused to go.  He'd never refused to go anywhere, and I'd never heard him scream so loud in his four years of life like he did that day.  It happened to have been in the school parkinglot too, which attracted the attention of parents. One must have called the principle because 20 minutes later she was outside, trying to coax Sammy in.  I was dead late to work by now, and a little miffed that he was being so difficult. 
    "Principle. Taylor.  I really really need to get to work, but I think an appointment with you would be appropriate." Sammy had finally calmed down, taken Mrs. Taylor's feminine hand and stood beside her, wiping his eyes and still whimpering with tortured tears running down his cute little face.
    "When are you free Sergeant Nicks,"
    I laughed.  She did not have to call me Sergeant.  "Today, after school hopefully.  I'll have to give you a call, but I can't do this everyday."
    "I completely understand.  You go along now, I have everything under control."
    I nodded, realizing she had dismissed me.  I dropped to my knee, beckoning Sammy to come forward.   He complied happily, crying into me all over again.
    "Now Sammy, you be a good boy today. I'll be back at four o'clock to get you alright?"
    "No dada, don't leave,"
    "I have to go baby," I kissed his head gently, then pried his trembling fingers from around my neck and handed him off.  He screamed with every step I took away from him.
    My heart went out to him.  I cringed with every step I took, hearing his desperate whimper begging for me.  
    Yet, my mind was already made up.  I was taking him out of that daycare.  I wasn't strong enough to watch him suffer that way everyday.
    I could still hear him crying even as I exited the parkinglot.
    *
    "You're late," Paul clapped me on the back.
    "I know man, I'm sorry.  My kid had a tantrum this morning and refused to go to school, and then wouldn't let me leave," I explained, raising from my chair at my own desk to follow Paul to see the Chief.  It was my own personal desk, and I was ecstatic.
    I was offically the newest member of SOD.  The place I'd been dreaming about since I was a little kid.  The SOD officals office was on the third floor.  There was 27 of us, and we were all here to do the same thing.  Undercover work. 
    "Come one, let's get going," Paul was already at the door, beckoning me forward.  I tossed the police hat I had been looking at for the last ten minutes on my desk before following- I was saying my goodbyes.   After this, I was offically no longer a federal policeman.  I knew I wouldn't be needing it anymore.
    "Nervous?" Paul jabbed the elevtor button. 
    "A little," I shrugged haphazardly.
    "First assignments are always the scariest.  Don't worry.  I'll be assigned on it with you.  You're a wonderful cop Sergeant, you're going to do great," Paul's pep talk continued as we stepped into the elevator and descended.
    I'd only known him a handful of months, but I already assosiated to him like a brother.  He didn't know much about my life, or what happened to my late wife, but he'd met my kids already, and they'd seemed to take to him quite nicely.  He was a great counsellor, and I couldn't wait to work for real with him.
    "Thanks man, I appreciate it,"
    The elevators opened. I inhaled deeply.  We stepped out together into the busy lobby I'd been greeted with my first day.  I got hollars, and claps on the back as we waltzed through the floor to the back, where the Chief's private office was.  I forced a smile at all the police men I'd begun to build relationships with, and waited patiently beside Paul as he raped on the door with his knuckles.
    When the Chief finally called us in we were greeted with a handful of the most high qualitified SOD'S in the office, all standing behind the Chief's desk.  They all clapped and cheered for me when I walked through the door.  A real smile broke out at that one, because this was the acceptance.  After all the playful hazing they'd give me over the last six months, between the move and trying to settle in, I was finally apart of this team.
    "Welcome to SOD, there's no escape now," I didn't know who said it, but everyone responded in a chuckled of laughter.    
    I shook hands with all seven men in the office, in sequence, and finally sat down in the chair positioned for me to get my first real assignment. A large thick folder was dropped into my lap.    
    "It's time to box up that uniform boy.  You're offically an undercover cop,"
    With those words, I knew my whole life was about to change.  I almost had a difficult time holding the tears at bay, or managing to breath at all.  Karen would be so proud of me, and knowing that filled with me warmth, and equally squeezed my heart in dread. 
    The Chief continued on, not giving me a lot of time to let that all sink in.  "In the file you'll find all the information.  I'm going to brief you quickly.  These boys here are all on your support team, you are all a new unit; do not forget that and think you are dealing with this mission alone.  This is extremly important.  These are now your brothers.  You've got Jerry, technology investigator.  He's the truck runner.  You need a bug, or a travel mic, you go to him." He pointed to each guy in turn.  "Mickey, Attorney debuty general.  Jason, Intelligence. Mark, we all call him hoops, our Forensic Science boy.  Jack, the finance guy. Lex who is the information hub, so if you need dirt on anyone, you got to Lex. And finally, Paul, your partner assisant.  Nicks, we want you to understand that usually you would be second command to Paul, but we're giving you a opportunity of a lifetime.  Don't mess this up.  You're the team leader in this investigation and mission.  You go wrong, and this whole team goes down with you."
    I gulped nervously. 
    I couldn't forget that this is what I wanted all along.
    "Secondly in the file you'll find a whole sequence on Franco Aldo.  Italian Mafia kingpin.  We've been pegging after this man for nearly ten years.  We want him closed case, but no one can even get close to him, until now.  Until you,"
    I sat there, mouth agape. This was a lot to take in.  I was good at my job, but to accomplish something all these men before couldn't complete... I highly doubted it.
    "Why are you giving me this operation," I didn't mean to ask, but there you have it.    
    "No one knows you,"
    "So I'm getting the job no one else could do because no one knows me here? I've been here six months already. Who's to say I haven't been scouted already?" That felt a little bit like a slap in the face.  I was good enough to get a real job, not just one with known and recycled information so the new guy didn't have to do any digging.  I didn't get to start from scratch, I had to follow in everyone else's footsteps.  Hurray. Note the sarcasam.
    "You haven't.  Trust me," The old Chief with the greying beard and warm blue eyes nodded enthusiastically. "No listen, your job isn't to go after Franco. Well eventually, but first  your job is to go after his ex wife.  She's the one that lives here.  It just so happens, she herself has a son going to the same daycare you've got your little boys in.  The kid's name is Andrew."
    Oh no, not the daycare!
    "Looks like you'll be keeping your boys there after all." And like it was the funniest most cruel joke in the world, all the men in the room laughed at my expense.  One last hazing I supposed. "But listen.  Her name is Valerie. Under no circumstances, and I mean none, is she to find out you're a SOD. Your job is to get as close to her as possible, find out what she still knows about her ex husband.  The general public believe he's gone back to Italy, but we have know otherwise.  Now it is you're job is to protect her for that reason.  Franco's been trying to get custody of her kids for three years.  He's bad news, so you've got to keep him as far away from her as possible if by chance he decides to let his presence known.  She thinks he's in Italy." It sounded easy enough.    "Oh, another thing.... You need to get her to invite you into the gang.  You won't get anywhere near Franco without her. She is your key to success.  Yet, you can't forget to keep her far from the action.  Franco and Valerie are to come in no contact. It'll blow your cover if they do.  When you finally infultrate into the mafia, it's goodbye Franco Aldo and his entire empire.  Lastly, it means this operation will most likely take you to Italy at some point.  You have to be prepared for the occasion if it arises."
    "I thought you said that he's isn't in Italy." I tried feebly to sound fierce, I didn't.
    "No telling what time will bring will it?  Start with his ex wife and her kid," the Chief lent back in his chair, shrugging nonchalantly.
    I knew I was screwed already.  I wasn't ready for this mission.  I was way in over my head. And that damn preschool.  G-d I hated it so much already for what it was doing to my poor fragile little boy, and now I had no choice but to keep him there.
    This better be worth it all.  I thought it with a bit of a forced smile as I accepted my first assigment.  Even if it was with a heavy heart, I was still pretty excited.
    *
    "Where's my coke?" Joyce spit a big glob of salvia at me which landed right below my left eye.  It was already swollen and purple, throbbing, with my lip split and blood dribbling down my chin. I ached everywhere to say the least.  Every muscle spasim was excruizating.
    "I told you I don't have it,"
    Smack.  Right against my cheek. I saw stars momentarily.
    "I'm only going to ask this one more time," Joyce, always the impassive guy, the chiller, and advice giver, but right now he yanked out his barreta, aiming it right between my eyes.
    When I took this job I never thought I'd die for it.  All I could think about was my kids, and knowing I'd be seeing Karen soon.  Only problem; I wasn't too sure if I was prepared for it or not.  I knew I was leaving to much behind, and it squeezed my heart painfully.  For my kids, for her, I had to get through this alive.
    "Okay, okay. I'll tell you."
    *
    "Daddy, is Sammy going to cry at school today?" Mckennzie was blunt- to say the least.  She was generally compassionate, as long as the person in question wasn't in visible sight. 
    "No, not today Mac.  Just eat your breakfast.  We're leaving for school soon,"
    Today was the day.  The start of a new mission.  Phase one was easy.  Get dressed like a normal Joe. Scout out Valerie, attempt to talk to her, and take it from there.  I was weary about getting involved with a woman.  Yes, it was for my mission.  Yes, I'd been single for four years.  Yes, it was time to move on.  And yet... I was scared.  I was content with my three happy children, my new job, and my bed all to myself every night. Besides, I was in over my head here.  I might end up hating the woman.  Why was I worrying about anything just yet.  I couldn't even describe her to you.  After the file had been transfered to my hands Paul and I had spend the afternoon shift pouring over all the information. 
    Valerie was 30, one son and a girl.  Andrew, who was the tender age of four. A mental note I took, of him being in the same class as my boys.  If my 'get close to Valerie' failed, I'd have to peg my sons to do it for me. She had another daughter, Diana.  She was incidentally 6.  Just like Mckennzie.  They didn't go to the same district school.  Unfortunately if it didn't work for my boys, I had to consider moving Mckennzie to the second school location to try again.These ideas were all very hypothetical.  I had no intention of moving Mckennzie anywhere, and I wasn't banking on my boys doing my dirty work for me.  I was planning on doing this one on my own.  I had no choice in the matter but to literally force myself in Valerie's life. Because if I had to do it, I would.
    "I'm not hungry," she was whiny today.
    "Mckennzie I said eat your breakfast." Then I left the kitchen to go check on the boys.  They usually never took this long.
    "Boys," I let them know I was there by calling out just as I pushed open their door.  I found Noah inspecting his teeth in the bathroom mirror.  Did I forget to mention the worst part about this house was every room had a bathroom attached.  I'd hear the boys playing with the tap and toliet way past their bed time.  I considered locking the bathroom at night, but reconsidered seeing as if they ever needed it, it would need to stay open for them to use it. Sammy was sitting crossed legged in front of his closet, looking up at it forlonly, with nothing on but his nighttime diaper.  Both boys still wore diapers on occasion at night.  If I felt they were stressed that day, wound up for any reason, I'd put them in one just in case.  They hardly ever used them, but it made me feel better knowing they could, than having to worry about cleaning all their sheets later.
    "Dada!" Noah yelped, jumping down from his stool in the bathroom and rushing over to me, attaching to my leg automatically.
    "Boys, why aren't you ready for school yet?" I petted his head affectionaly, looking over at Sammy expectantly.  Noah was dressed- I mean his shirt was backwards- but at least he was wearing pants and a shirt.  His socks were MIA.
    "I'm ready dada," Noah chirped.
    "I see that bud.  Good job." I ruffled his hair, looking down at him with a big tooth grin.  I debated telling him that his shirt was backwards, or leaving it for his teachers.  I figured, being his father, this was probably my area of juristiction.  I crouched down to Noah's level and he released my leg, latching onto my arm instead.  "Come on, you put it on backwards."
    He gave me a mighty chuckle, squirming away when I tried to yank one of his hands through the sleeve.  Soon we were both laughing as I wrestled his scranny arms through the sleeves to turn the shirt around.
    "Much better," I dragged his giggling form into my chest and onto my propped up knee to give him a slobbery kiss.    
    "No dada, NO!" He was a ball of hysterics again as my beard tickled his cheeks.
    Laughing I finally released him, turning back to Sammy who still sitting there in the same position I had seen him last.  Only this time his body was twisted to watch us, and on his face was a look of undeniable envy.  For the first time in my life I saw the look of jealousy etched onto my baby boy's features.  I staggered, hit full force with the notion that I had dangled attention and effection in front of one twins eyes with the other.
    "Sammy come here," I beckoned him over, sitting down on the floor crosslegged and letting Noah have one knee.  I patted my second knee for Sammy.  He only sat there and watched me suspiciously.  Hurt by the display moments before.
    "Sammy come," I coaxed again, and this time it seemed too hard for him to resist.  Soon he was scrambling across the floor, feverishly barrelling towards me to fling his whole body weight against my mine, sitting on my knee like it was his throne.
    "Look at this little naked boy.  You're so naked.  Look at all this skin, I could just eat it all." I wanted to make him feel loved, and so when I started tickling all the skin I could see I was unprepaired for the wail of ecstatic laughter that escaped his lips as he too squirmed.  Then I was kissing him, playfully biting the exposed skin on his back while he laughed all his sorrows away.  And since I had one laughing, I couldn't leave the second one out.  Moments later the whole room was swallowed in shouts of gleeful bouts of laughter, and a lot of love.
    "Alright, that's enough boys.  It's time to get dressed Sammy.  We have school to go to," After a few minutes of tickling and laughing I finally released them.  They sighed with heavy held in breathes from laughing so hard, catching their breaths in large intakes of air.  It was probably the cutest thing I'd ever seen the two of them do. 
    Sammy got up this time without any coaxing or hesitation.  He walked over to his closet and Noah and I sat there, hands around necks and waists, watching him until he was fully dressed.  I chided him for leaving his night diaper on the floor, and he only laughed evilly when he ran out of the room with Noah, leaving the diaper behind.  I wanted to be stern with him, but all I could do was laugh as I scooped it up and tossed it in the trash, following behind them downstairs. 
    My kids ate their breakfasts like good kids for once, no fighting today, and when that was all over and done with we headed out for school.  I dropped Mckennzie off first like I always did, and once I watched her walk safely into school I hopped back into my car and proceeded to the boys school.
    "Dada," Noah ventured.
    "Yes bug,"
    "Do we have to go to school today?" He asked it softly, almost shyly.  My Noah may have been a stage five clinger, but he was by no means a shy kid.  I took a glance at him through the rearview mirror, and there he was, sucking his thumb and tugging on Sammy's ear.  Sammy sat there, spacing out as he watched the buildings and trees go by, oblivious to the tugging on his ear.
    "We do," I nodded, smiling to lift his spirits.  "Why don't you want to go to school today?" I almost missed the green light change while I stared at him intently.  A honk behind me sent me speeding through the light.  I had to get used to this new car.  I didn't have my police car for the time being.  That would be a dead giveaway.  So instead I was driving a standard black Toyato.  It was nice for its purpse.  Sadly I missed my cruiser, but I knew I'd get it back soon.
    "Don't like it," it was a simple reply, loaded with deadly arsenal.
    "Why not?"
    He shrugged.  Noah always had something to say. He never just shrugged.  I wondered for the millionth time what it was that bothered the both of them.  I stayed quiet, let it go while I pulled into the school parking lot.  I swung into a spot, killing the engine and jumping out.  I helped out Noah and Sammy a moment later, taking both of their hands and guiding them to the building.  I scheduled an appointment with the principle today.  I'd planned to take the boys out of this school system, and if the principle had a wonderful idea for keeping them here if I didn't like what I saw, I was pulling them out regardless of my mission.     
    "Dada, you come to school with us today?" Sammy lifted his little head up to me as we walked through opened the double doors.
    "No baby, I've just meeting with the principle quickly."
    "You got in trouble?"
    So innocent, so pure and sweet.  He assumed anyone who had any business with the principle was a troublemaker. I just had to love the kid.  He was too precious for life.  I chuckled, shaking my head no. 
    "So why are you here?" He was just curious, and it was one of those moments I wanted to keep locked away in my pocket for the rest of my life.  He wouldn't be this cute forever. Soon he'd get all big, and be all into girls.  I cringed.  I wasn't ready for that yet.  He was only four.  It wasn't the time for that.
    "It's just a friendly chat bug.  You go along now.  I'll be here to pick you up after school," I released both boys hands and gave them a gentle shove towards the kindergardner room.  They stepped away from me, moving closer together and looked back at me with wounded eyes.  Now came the waterworks.    
    "Bye dada." Noah was almost in tears when I bent down to give them both goodbye hugs.      They both latched on quickly, getting whiny and clingy.
    "Alright boys, come one.  I'll be seeing you later okay.  We talked about this yesterday.  You're going to be brave for daddy and go back into that classroom like big guys ya?" I pulled back to look at both of them, caressing an arm each.  They looked back at with fat worried lips.
    "Yes dada," They responded in unison.
    "Alright.  That's what I like to hear," I granted them both a kiss on the forehead, and then I stood, silently shooing them off. 
    It took a moment, but with final waves they turned and headed into the classroom they hated so much.  The teacher closed the door behind them just as the bell signaled.  There was a mad dash as the older kids scrambled for their classrooms.  Then it was just me and the silent hallway.
    I sighed, still looking at the closed door my children were safely locked behind.  Finally letting the worry for them go, I turned on my heel and headed for the principles office.  I got lost once, but finally found it on the other side of the school.  The principle was speaking with the receptionist when I approached the desk.  She ushered me right in. 
    Her office was big, lots of wood, and big diplomas on the wall.  Nothing else had much life except for the pictures of a man and four teenage children scattered around.
    "My youngest, started ninth grade this year," I jumped, startled.  I hadn't realized she was watching me so closely. 
    "Wow," I mumbled, taking a seat quickly when she motioned me over.  The principle was old.  50 perhaps.  Grey hair, a wary tired and old smile, and warm brown eyes.  I imagined she was a kind woman outside of her job, as well as in.
    "Time goes quickly, let me tell you," she sighed softly, offering me a gentle smile. I returned the favour, and she got right to it. "And speaking of time I'd like to talk about your boys before our time runs out."    
    "They don't say it out right, but my boys don't seem particularly happy.  I'm not quite sure why," I offered.
    "The teacher's been telling me that they've been acting up slightly in the last few weeks," she sat back in her chair, observing my reaction.  I had to stay calm and be professional about this.
    "Acting up in what way?" I countered.
    "We've begun to worry if it may be a bully issue.  We can assure you Sergeant that we have a zero tolerance for bullying.  If any such behaviour exposes itself we will clamp down on it immediately." She replied. 
    Oh G-d, please not bullying.
    "Apparently, the two refuse the company of other children. They only seem interested in each other."
    "It's a comfort thing I suppose.  They trust each other, they know each other."
    "Yes that is true, and as this does happen occasionally, it does worry us.  Have you ever considered Sergeant, to seperate them in different classes or perhaps school so they don't rely on each other,"
    I was stunned at that.  I'd never ever considered splitting them up.  They'd been together since the womb.  How could you seperate children like that?
    "I don't know if that is necessarily a good idea, or that it would solve the problem," I injected.
    "Why not?" She inquired.
    "I know my children Principle Taylor."
    "Fair enough.  So what do you presume we do about this,"    
    Then, like I was instructed to do so I told her discretly about the operation.  Telling her I was only keeping the boys here because I had no other option- which was a lie- and at the first sign of trouble for them I was yanking them out.  I told her about having to get in contact with Valerie, though I left out why, and hoped she'd buy it.  She seemed to be understanding of my requests as she nodded along. 
    "May I ask why?" She tried to be nochalant, but I could see the curiosity lurking behind her eyes.
    "I'm only here to keep a protective eye on her, and thats it," it was a total lie, but all I had.
    Her head bobbed along with understanding, though I had to really question if she infact understood at all.  "I think it would be wise for us to perhaps place them in different classrooms."
    I blanched at that.  She was not going to seperate my children.  She may have been the principle, but these were my kids, and no one- not even her- was going to tell me how to raise my children. "I don't want them seperated.  They'll ease into it.  I'll speak to them.  They have keen ears for listening.  I don't want you to split them up,"    
    "Sergant, with all due respect, I believe it is in your best interest to seperate them.  Not for life, just in different classes.  They'll learn to stand on their own-"
    "No!" I didn't mean to interrupt her, but she wasn't going to tell me what had to be done.  "I know my children best, and I know that seperating them is a bad idea.  You have no idea the tantrums you will have to listen to if you even try." My kids weren't spoiled.  I'd really tried to raise them well, but telling Sammy and Noah that they couldn't have each other's hands in a time of need to hold was just cruel.
    "I really think-"
    "And I think differently.  I'm sorry Principle Taylor. I didn't come here to negotiate my children's wellbeing with you.  I'm a fraction away from yanking them out of this school.  My kids are miserable, and if you think that telling them when they can and cannot be together is going to make them any happier you are sorely mistaken."
    I think I'd rendered her a little speechless after that one, because all she seemed to have as a response was a seat shift, a sigh, a lip lick, and a feverish brushing of her hair from her face rapidly.  "Alright Sergeant.  We'll keep them together for now.  If they don't progress by summer then we honestly think it is in your best interest to do so.  We don't tell our parents how to nuture their children, but we have the right to voice our opinon."
    I wanted to tell her that just becasue she had an opinion didn't mean it was worth anything, or that anyone actually wanted to listen.  I held back, nodding along as she spoke.
    We fell into an uncomfortable lull as we both looked anywhere but at each other.  She cleared her throat.  I coughed.  She shifted.  I moved to stand up. 
    "Do you have any last questions you'd like to ask," She mumbled it out hastily, almost as if she didn't want me to leave.  I paused in my body lift, halting my heave upwards and slumping back into my seat.
    "Uh, no.  I think we covered it all."
    "Well it was a pleasure Sergeant.  I'm sorry to cut this so short but I have an appointment right behind you, so you best be on your way.  I'm sure you're a very busy man,"    
    "Thank you Prinicple Taylor.  I appreciate it," I stood up for real now, manuevering out of the seat.
    "Thank you," she smiled politely, and if I didn't think she was well versed I would have believed it was real.  To bad I knew better.
    I left quickly, not turning back to see her one more time on my way out.