I shrug. “I d-d-d-unno.”
The boy sighs. “Stay right there.”
I’m not sure I could move even if he asked. My legs are shaky after my walk.
He comes back out a minute later with his hands full. He jerks his head at me. “Come over here.”
I move slowly in case I trip. He might take my snack if I’m not careful, like Daddy does sometimes.
The boy sits on the steps. I sit next to him, my eyes widening when I see what he has in his hands. The fresh bread looks extra white against his dirty, tan skin. I don’t know what’s on that sandwich, but my stomach growls at the sight.
He holds it out to me, nodding when I hesitate. I take it slowly, even though I want to snatch it away fast. Once it’s in front of my nose, I can’t go slow. Bite after bite, I eat, my stomach hurting at first.
The boy rests his hand on mine, forcing me to chew and swallow what’s in my mouth. We sit in silence. Once those first few bites are down, I take my time. This is the best sandwich I’ve ever had in my life.
He holds up a plastic cup of water, and I take it too. Before long, my sandwich is gone, and I’ve drunk everything in the cup.
“Where the fuck did you go, Knox?” a man yells from behind the house.
The boy’s eyes grow wide. “Go on now. Run back to the pond. Don’t let anyone see you.”
I don’t ask questions. I know what that tone of voice means. I take off running, only looking back when I’m far enough away. A big man stands in front of the boy. The boy moved so that the man’s back would be to me.
Suddenly, the big man swings and punches the boy in his face. I slap my hands over my mouth to keep from screaming.
Then I turn and run.
CHAPTER 2
Farrah
With a deep breath, I settle my pink rhinestone headband into my dark hair. I’ve carefully curled each strand into purposefully messy waves. The style makes it look as if I didn’t try too hard, while still being professional.
My long-sleeved maxi dress has ’70s-style flowers printed on it. Every time I wear it, I think of my Grammy. She made me a dress out of a similar fabric when I was little. I wore it all the time because it flared when I twirled.
God, I still miss her every day. Despite her cancer diagnosis, she hung on until I was a teen. I think she knew I’d never have survived with my alcoholic dad if she’d left me too soon.
I shake off my melancholy thoughts. I need to be at the top of my game tonight.
The parents will be here any minute to find out how prepared their kids are for first grade. As part of our school’s grant funding, we’re required to hold parent-teacher conferences twice a year—once in the fall and again in the spring.
Most of the parents I have to interact with are amazing. I got lucky this year compared to the other kindergarten teachers.These kids are some of the best students I’ve had in the seven years I’ve been a teacher, and their parents are just as great. There are just a couple I struggle to interact with.
Well, really only one in particular.
Knox Waters.
Just thinking his name makes my blood pressure rise. I have yet to figure out how such a grumpy asshole of a man could raise such a sweet and kind kid. Finn is one of the best in my class, which is saying something. He’s always helpful, listens with ease, and can make me laugh at the drop of a hat.
Sometimes I worry about his home life. Is Knox kind to him when it’s just the two of them? I know Finn’s mom isn’t in the picture, though I don’t know the story behind why. Does he have other influences in his life who make him such a great kid?
I was not raised in a healthy home, and I know I tried to make up for it at school. I hope Knox isn’t a jerk to Finn… but any time I’ve seen him interact with his son, he gets a soft look in his eyes that cannot be faked. Trust me, I’d know.
So maybe it’s just me that Knox has a problem with. I suppose I’d take that over him being mean to Finn.
It still blows serious chunks to interact with the jerk. I’ve had enough of men thinking they can treat people however they’d like with no consequences. If Knox decides to be hateful tonight, I’m going to give it straight back to him, consequences be damned. I only have to interact with him for another couple of months.
As sad as I’ll be to watch my class move on to the next grade, it will be a huge relief to never see Knox again.
