Page 2 of Lion’s Den

She grabbed her purse and purple tote bag and locked her classroom door. “Where is Eddie parked?”

“Back of the school. He didn’t want anybody to see him here because they might think he’s not cool or something.” He shrugged as if his brother’s reasoning didn’t bother him, but Sedona saw the truth in her student’s eyes. Having Eddie’s approval mattered.

“Do you want me to talk to him?”

“Oh, no, ma’am!” His eyes were wide. “Don’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“It’s embarrassing, like I’m some dumb kid or something.”

Oh, man. This kid cracked her up. “No, I wouldn’t want to do that. Thanks for reminding me you’re practically a grownup.”

“You won’t talk to Eddie?”

“Nope. I promise. So, when does your mom get home from work?”

He shrugged. “About midnight. I don’t know exactly when because I’m asleep most nights.”

Most nights. Her heart ached at the Ramirez family’s tough life. “I can understand that.” Mrs. Ramirez was one of the most hardworking women Sedona had ever met. “Still haven’t heard from your dad?”

Another head shake. “Mom says he wasn’t very nice to her.” Julio turned his head to look at her. “How could anybody be mean to Mom? She’s really nice when she doesn’t make me clean up my room.”

She rested her hand on Julio’s shoulder. “I don’t know, buddy. Sometimes people we love aren’t in a good head space, and they make poor decisions, like your dad hurting your mom. I’m glad he’s not able to hurt you or anyone else now.”

“Me, too.”

Sedona pushed open the back door leading to the faculty parking lot. Julio skipped along beside her.

She paused at the edge of the sidewalk and glanced around. “Is that Eddie in the SUV?”

Julio frowned as he stared at the three men standing near the vehicle. Two men had pushed the third one up against the side of the SUV and were yelling at him. “I don’t see Eddie. Did he leave me?”

Sedona didn’t like the looks of the three men who were casting dark glances at them. “Come on. Let’s go around to the front and see if your brother moved the car because of these men.”

“Who are they?”

“I don’t know, Julio. Let’s leave them to their business.” Hopefully, they’d finish the business and move along to another location before she walked to her car.

“Okay. They’re mean.”

“How do you know?”

“They yelled at me to go home, but I couldn’t, Miss Hart. I had to get Emily’s backpack.”

“They’re the ones who shouldn’t be on school property. Let’s get you to Eddie, then you can go home.” Perhaps she could, too.

The sound of a vehicle idling grew louder as she and Julio circled the building to the front of the school.

Julio brightened. “That’s Eddie.”

“Are you sure?”

He nodded. “I recognize the sound of the motor. It’s my brother.”

“Well, let’s see if you’re right.”

Julio raced ahead and poked his head around the corner of the building. “It’s him. I told you I was right about the motor.”