Page 20 of Peaks and Promises

“Um…” I swallowed hard. “My neighbor watches him after school. I’ll have to see if she’s home.”

Muttering something incoherent, Terri went back to her office.

Tess put a gentle hand on my arm. “Go. I’ve got your tables.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. We’ll be fine.” She shot a glare in the direction of Terri’s office. “Sometimes she forgets we’re not robots.”

“Do you think she’d be mad if I brought my son in? He could sit in the back booth until my shift is over. He’s a really good kid—wouldn’t get in the way.”

She winced. “I wouldn’t risk it. Terri isn’t a fan of kids. Besides, we’ll cover you. Brit is here, and she can handle like a dozen tables at once. We’ll make it work.”

“You’re the best. Thank you.”

I updated Tess on my tables so she could close them out, then went to the back to get my purse.

Outside, a hot breeze did nothing to cut through the blazing midday heat. The air felt dry and gritty. I got in my car and turned on the AC, then headed to Nate’s school.

What was going on with him? A fight? There had to be more to the story. He wasn’t a violent kid. He barely stuck up for himself, even when other kids were being jerks.

I parked out front and went straight to the office. The receptionist greeted me with a friendly smile.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m Summer Lewis. I’m here for my son, Nate.”

“Oh.” Her smile faded and she nodded, pushing a clipboard toward me. “Sign in, please.”

I signed in, and she handed me a lanyard with a visitor badge.

“Follow me.”

She led me down a short hallway behind the reception desk. The door to the vice principal’s office was half open, and I could see Nate sitting in a chair, his shoulders slumped, his eyes on the floor.

The receptionist pushed the door open and gestured for me to go in.

A man with a slight build, glasses, and salt-and-pepper hair sat behind a desk. He looked up when I entered. Nate didn’t.

“Ms. Lewis?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m Summer. What happened?”

“Please, have a seat.”

I took the chair next to Nate. He still didn’t look at me.

“Nate, do you want to tell your mom what happened?” Mr. Ross’s voice was surprisingly gentle.

“I hit Joey Conroy during recess.”

“Why did you do that?” I asked, confused.

Without looking up, Nate shrugged.

“He won’t say,” Mr. Ross said.

I turned to Nate. “Was Joey bullying you?”