Best Laid Plans Heather Burkett
Chapter 25: The Difference Between Us
I changed into a t-shirt and some jeans and pulled up into the school parking lot just as Jacob was getting off his motorcycle.
"What the hell is going on?" I asked him as I rushed out of the car.
"Hell if I know."
Jake held the red door to the main office open for me, allowing me to enter the small space in front of the counter first.
"Good Afternoon. How may I help you?" A young woman greeted us.
"We're here to see the principal?" I asked.
Jake stepped up beside me, placing his hand on the small of my back. "We're Sarah Black's parents."
The young woman's eyebrows shot up. "Oh. Please have a seat, I'll let Principle Molina know you're here." She stepped away from us, knocking on a door in the back of the office before stepping in.
Neither Jacob nor I accepted her invitation to take a seat; too full of nerves and anxiety to be able to relax.
"Yes, please. Send them in." I heard the principal advise as the secretary stepped out of the office.
"Mr. and Mrs. Black? Principal Molina is ready for you." She gestured for us to come over.
Jacob and I stepped behind the counter, not bothering to correct her as we hurried into the small office to see Sarah. Just as we were about to walk in, a young boy about Sarah's age walked out holding an ice pack to his cheek. He looked to us worriedly before rushing past, as if he was anxious to get away from us.
As we entered the wood paneled room, a gentleman with short cropped, dark hair and glasses rose from behind the large oak desk, addressing us. "Good afternoon. Please, take a seat."
Sarah was seated in the middle of three wooden chairs, holding a similar ice pack to her hand.
"Baby, are you okay?" I asked.
She sighed before nodding.
I quickly took the seat to her right, motioning for her to give me her right hand so that I could inspect it for injury. Her hand was swollen and inflamed; a bruise already beginning to form around her right pinky and the right side of her palm.
Jacob quickly strode in behind me, taking the remaining seat as he smoothed his hand over her hair lovingly.
"What happened?" I asked the principal.
"It appears there's been a misunderstanding between Sarah and another student." The principal began.
"No, it's not a misunderstanding! I told him we weren't boyfriend/girlfriend!" Sarah interrupted, her face flaming with anger.
"What's this about?" Jacob interrupted, looking angrily at Principal Molina.
"It appears that one of our students has a little crush on Sarah and may have attempted to kiss her."
"What?!" Jacob and I asked in unison.
"Do you care to explain what happened next, Sarah?" The Principal prompted.
She bowed her head, ashamed. "I punched him"
Jacob looked at Sarah with that's-my-girl written all over his face.
"Unfortunately," Mr. Molina continued, "while we understand Sarah's predicament, we have an absolute zero tolerance policy for fighting."
"Will you please explain to me what the school's policy is for sexual harassment?" I seethed. "Are girls expected to just allow unwanted advances from boys without responding in their own defense?"
"Of course not. I assure you, the other student is being disciplined as well. In fact, I'm awaiting his parents to arrive at any minute. But, the fact remains that we always encourage students to find alternate methods for resolving conflict without turning to violence. We simply have no place for physical altercations."
I opened my mouth to speak again when Jacob interrupted. "So, Principal Molina," Jake spat out his name, "what is your plan for disciplining my daughter for standing up for herself?"
Mr. Molina grimaced, "Please understand my dilemma, Mr. Black. We have a code to maintain and can't be seen by the student body as playing favorites or making exceptions."
"The punishment." I insisted.
He took a deep breath, as if fearing our reaction. "School policy for fighting is one week suspension."
"One week!?" Jacob roared, standing up to tower over the desk.
"Suspension?!" I echoed.
The principal swallowed as if fearing our impending wrath. "Yes."
"And the boy?! What is he getting?" Jacob asked, looking as if there might be another fight.
"I'm unable to discuss other students, but I assure you that his disciplinary action is relative." Mr. Molina gestured towards Jacob's empty seat, a silent plea for him to stop looking so imposing.
Jacob remained standing, his shoulders rising and falling with his labored breathing.
There was a timid knock on the door before the secretary peeked back in. "Mr. and Mrs. Biers are here." She announced.
The kid with the ice pack on his face was fucking Riley Biers.
Serves him right.
"Please seat them all in the office lounge. I'll be with them shortly." The principal advised, apparently attempting to keep us separated to avoid further conflict.
"If you don't mind, I just need your signatures on this disciplinary action form." The principal requested meekly.
With our names scribbled on the form, we were allowed to leave. Jacob picked up Sarah's backpack for her as I tucked her under my arm, escorting her out of the office.
"We need to take her to the hospital." I spoke as we exited into the parking lot. "I think she may have a fracture or something."
"Go ahead. I'll follow you there." Jacob fumed, kissing Sarah on the temple and handing me her backpack before walking over to straddle his bike.
I opened the passenger door for Sarah, helping her into the car and clicking the seatbelt into place for her before making my way to the driver's side. I slipped inside, fastening my own buckle before exiting the parking lot into traffic, with Jacob right behind.
"Are you mad?" Sarah asked after a couple of minutes.
"No, baby girl. I will never be mad at you for standing up for yourself. Right now, I'm just worried about your hand. Does it hurt?" I asked.
"A little. It's sort of throbbing." She answered, staring out the windshield at the drizzle that was beginning to fall.
I looked in my rearview mirror to check on Jacob, whose t-shirt was starting to soak in the raindrops. Luckily, the hospital was only a few blocks away, so I doubted he cared.
"Looks like you have one hell of a right hook. We might need to put you into boxing." I joked, trying to ease the tension.
"Mooom." She moaned.
"So, you want to tell me in your own words what happened?" I asked, making a right turn.
"Riley keeps asking me to be his girlfriend. He's even been telling our friends that he's my boyfriend, even though I said no. Today, during recess, a bunch of his friends dared him to kiss me to prove it, or something stupid like that. I just got tired of him bothering me so, when he went to kiss me, I just punched him." She looked down at her damaged hand. "I didn't think it would hurt this much."
"Yeah. What he did is wrong, and we'll definitely be reaching out to his parents to talk about it. But, maybe lay off the punching. I'm not sure you're growing bones are up for it." I teased. "Besides, a knee to the groin is much more effective and less likely to injure you."
Her eyes went wide, as if she couldn't believe I had said that. "Thanks for not freaking out, mom." She replied.
"Hey. I'm the cool mom, remember? No secrets, no lies."
"The fact that you just referred to yourself as 'the cool mom' defies the idea of you being cool." She joked.
I stuck my tongue out at her as we turned into a parking space at the hospital, Jacob still on my tail.
We waited by her hospital bed, discussing what had happened as a nurse wheeled her to x-ray to assess the damage to her hand.
"I could kill that kid." Jacob stated angrily, still having not calmed down from our talk with the principal.
"Well, maybe let's not resort to murder." I said softly, reaching over to pat his fist.
"What do you suggest we do?" For a moment, I was starting to believe he was really contemplating homicide.
"I'll see if I can get a number for his mother. Maybe sit down with them and have a talk." I suggested. "Do you want to come too?"
"I think it might be best if I sit this one out, Bells. Just in case they have a zero-tolerance policy for violence, too."
I chuckled softly, watching as he lost a little bit of his edge.
"She's worried we're mad at her."
"No! If anything, I'm proud of her for defending herself. It's the kid and the principal I'm mad at." He answered.
"Well, when you calm down, it might be a good idea to tell her that." I suggested. "I'm sure it will help put her mind at ease."
I could see in his eyes the moment he began to truly calm down, realizing the affect his anger was having on us. "I'm sorry if I overreacted. It's just – if anything happens to her-"
I took his hand in mine and squeezed. "I know."
The nurse returned with Sarah a moment later, and Jake was quick to apologize for his temper.
The doctor arrived soon after to give us the news that Sarah had fractured her pinky, in what is commonly referred to as a perfect boxer's break.
I tried to ignore Jacob's look of pride in the matter.
She would require a cast on her right hand for six weeks.
"Don't worry, kiddo." He started, "Billy and Sue should be home most of the week, and maybe I can take a couple of days off-"
"Can't I stay with mom?" Sarah interrupted, stopping Jacob dead in his tracks. "It's just, I'm going to need some help with things, and I'd be more comfortable with mom helping me with girlie stuff, ya know?" She added.
Jacob looked dumbfounded for a minute before looking up at me quizzically.
"Sure, I'd love that, if it's okay with you, Jake?" I hedged.
"Sure. That's fine. Why don't you all head over to our place when we get out of here to pick up Sarah's things." He answered. "I'll let Billy and Sue know what's happened and that you will be staying for dinner. I'll be right back." He stepped away from us to make the phone call.
"Thanks mom. For everything."
"It's my pleasure, Buttercup."
Sarah and I ate dinner with Jacob, Billy and Sue before packing a suitcase with all of the clothes she would need for the week. We said our goodbyes around nine that night before heading back to my place.
Just as I was pulling up to the apartment, my cell phone rang.
It was Edward.
I cancelled the call, sending him a quick text that I couldn't talk at the moment, but that I'd call him back a little later.
I wrapped a plastic grocery bag around Sarah's cast, taping it up to ensure that no water would get inside as she showered and then left her to clean up in the bath as I hung up her clothes.
She came out about ten minutes later, wrapped up in a towel looking all types of embarrassed. "Um, mom?" She asked hesitantly.
I cocked an eyebrow at her. "Need some help?"
She sighed. "Yes. I can't seem to get my pajamas on."
"No problem." I knew she must be feeling pretty modest, so I held her nightgown up for her to slip her arms into it, sliding it down over the towel. Once she was fully covered, I pulled the towel down from under the nightgown, picking it up as it pooled at her feet.
"Thanks." She mumbled bashfully.
"Don't mention it." I pulled back the comforter, letting her climb into bed before tucking her in. "We'll work on getting you used to the cast this week so that you can be a little more independent when you go back home. The doctor said you'll be in the cast for six weeks, and I doubt you'll want to rely on your Dad or Sue for help." I advised, brushing her hair back from her face.
She nodded, her mouth opening wide with a yawn. "It still hurts." She frowned.
"I'll get you a couple of Tylenol. Hold on a minute." I went to the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, pulling out the pill bottle and pouring two into my hand before grabbing a glass beside the sink and filling it with cool water.
"Here you go."
She took the pills awkwardly into her left hand, popping them into her mouth before sipping from the glass and swallowing.
"Alright, get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow." I placed the glass of water on her nightstand before kissing her on the forehead and making my way towards the door.
"Mom?" She called out, just as I turned out the light.
"Yes?"
"Thanks for taking care of me."
"Of course, baby girl. I love you." I said from the doorway.
"I love you too." She said before rolling onto her side and burrowing deep under the covers.
I knew I needed to call Edward, but I desperately needed a shower to get the remainder of the make-up off of my face and the hairspray out of my hair, since the school had called before I'd had a chance to wash up earlier.
I was just stepping into my bedroom when my phone began ringing once again.
"Hey." I answered in a whisper.
"Hey beautiful." He replied. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes, everything is fine now. How are you?"
"I still have a stupid grin on my face from last night." He answered honestly.
I blushed fiercely as my lips spread into a wide grin.
"Me too." I admitted.
"So, at the risk of sounding too eager – when do I get to see you again?"
I frowned, tiptoeing to my bedroom door to close it. "I'm afraid it's not going to be soon."
"Oh." The disappointment was evident in his voice.
"My daughter got into a little bit of a problem at school." I advised.
"Oh, I hope she's okay." He said, concerned.
"She's broken her hand and will be home with me for the week."
"Oh no! Can I be of any help? Maybe I could come over and bring dinner one night?" He asked, sounding hopeful.
My heart sank. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but I simply wasn't ready for that yet.
"That's really sweet of you, Edward, but we'll be okay." I hoped that answer would suffice.
"I get it." He answered, his hopes dashed. "It's a little too soon to meet her, right?"
I frowned. "Yes...I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I understand, but if there's anything I can do to help, let me know." We sat in silence for a moment. "So, do you have a minute to talk, or is this a bad time?"
"No, Sarah's in bed so I can talk."
"May I ask how she hurt her hand?"
I told him all about what's been going on with "little" Riley Beirs. He laughed, saying he admired the kid's gumption.
Then, we talked.
Just talked.
We talked about our first crushes and the crazy things we did to get their attention. We talked about the difficulties of parenting. Surprisingly, despite the difference in our experience, we seemed to be on the same page on a lot of things, both crediting our own parents for teaching us how to do it right.
"What do you think your parents would say about me?" I asked haphazardly.
"Oh, they know all about you."
"What?" My voice cracked.
I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
"Well, not about last night." I could hear the smirk in his voice. "But, we're very close, so I told them almost immediately that I'd found a woman who sparked my interest."
"Do they know about our age difference?" I asked nervously.
"Yes. I want you to meet them – when you're ready – and I didn't want there to be any secrets or surprises."
I could respect that.
"They must hate me." I mumbled.
"They might have had their reservations when I first told them, but to the contrary, they're really happy for me. They've always said I was an old soul, so mom thought it was only natural that I'd be drawn to someone more mature. Besides, they have an age difference as well, so it's not as big of a deal to them."
"Oh, really? How big of an age difference?" I asked, hoping it would make me feel better.
"Dad is eight years older."
Nope, that didn't help at all.
"And, if you don't mind my asking, how old are they?"
He didn't answer immediately, which worried me. "Dad is fifty-four."
It didn't take me long to do the math. His mother was only six years older than me.
Well, shit.
"Don't overthink it, Bella. It doesn't bother them and, you know it doesn't concern me."
That seemed to be the one major difference between us.