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“I don’t think…”
He stared up at her, challenging her to deny what he knew was true. “I read all about what Homeland Security did in Waco,” he said calmly. “I don’t think they’d do something like that, but if they think my dad wants to keep me out of school for political reasons, they might stop him.” Suddenly the boy sounded mature and sure of himself. “Even if he did school me himself, he’d be forced to use all the approved books, and that’s part of what he wants to protect me from.”
“Maybe he’s right. I don’t know what the rules are about homeschooling.”
Jimmy wiped his hands on the back of his jeans and looked away. “I think he feels trapped. He’s upset about what we’re being taught and doesn’t know what to do about it. He read the civics book I picked from the reading list for my report. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so angry. When he finished the book, he went online to check facts and do some research. I don’t know what he found, but it just made him angrier. He said he has to act soon.”
Those last words sounded ominous. “What sort of action? Any idea?”
“Something to let the world know what’s going on.”
Tessa felt the urge to hug Jimmy, to tell him everything would be all right. Neither of those things was appropriate. Hugging older children was frowned on. The boy was already taller than she was. He’d be a teenager next year, and kids were developing earlier. A hug could be misinterpreted by someone watching or even the boy himself. And she couldn’t honestly reassure him. She had no idea if things would be all right at all unless something happened to change things. Paranoia didn’t usually go away. “Do you know if he’s angry at any particular person?”
“All the people who are trying to poison our minds—that’s what he said. He said he’s going to stop them.”
“Them?”
He shrugged. “The government. Probably you and Mrs. Turnbull, and all the teachers. I don’t really know who he meant or what he’s thinking… when he’s mad, a lot of what he says doesn’t make sense. Partly that’s because he’s just talking to himself. I hear pieces of his thoughts.”
“But you don’t have any idea what he intends to do—to stop us?”
Jimmy shrugged. “No. Just that he thinks he knows how to send a message that will let the world know what is going on. He thinks most people are asleep and need a wakeup call.”
“I wish I had some idea of what that meant.”
Jimmy sighed. “Me, too. He’s online a lot. Maybe he’ll get a web site.”
That didn’t seem likely. According to Rafe, he already had a serious online presence and forums for his ideas. Tessa considered her options—she didn’t have many. That his father was in some political funk didn’t necessarily mean the boy or anyone else was in any danger. Jumping the gun by getting the authorities involved and then having his father turn out to be a harmless whacko would destroy her credibility. It would make her seem foolish and irresponsible to Jimmy. It also would turn his father’s rant into a self-fulfilling prophecy. She was talking to Jimmy, pumping him for information, and if she used it against him, things would go exactly as he said.
She felt helpless.
“Would you do me a favor? I’d appreciate it if you and I talk a bit every day. Not a discussion. Don’t tell me what your father is reading or doing, just talk with me so you can let me know that things are still okay. If he’s just angry, that’s none of my business, but if things change, if you ever feel that you are in any danger at all, I’ll find a way to help you. If you aren’t, no matter what your father wants to think or say, I won’t interfere.”
The boy grinned weakly, his relief evident. “That sounds fair. I don’t think he’d like it though.”
“All I ask is for you to let me know that things are okay, and I promise I won’t let him find out we are even talking about that.”
Jimmy sighed. “I wish I had bikers who think I’m great, like Kayla does. That is so neat.”
It occurred to her that Jimmy might talk to Ronan or Jett. “She likes them.”
“And their bikes are amazing.”
She thought of Ronan and Jett introducing themselves to her through a bike ride. If Ronan or Jett were willing to invite Jimmy to go for a ride, that could be a way to help him open up. The trick would be getting Jimmy away from his father when school was out. That wouldn’t be easy.
“They do protect Kayla, don’t they?” The idea of Ronan and Jett protecting Kayla made Tessa’s heart melt. “I guess we all want someone to protect us. I think they’d do anything for her.”
“As much as she’ll let them. Kayla doesn’t need a lot of protecting.”
“I think you’re right. You’re pretty strong too.”
“If I did have an uncle like them, I’d ask him to take me for a ride. A really, really long ride.” He looked wistful, imagining it. “I would ride and ride and wouldn’t ever come back.”
That he had a child’s version of her current fantasy was somehow reassuring. “Well, we have to work with what we’ve got, Jimmy. And you do have me. Keep me up to date and I’ll help.”
He smiled. “Thanks.”
When she headed back to her desk, she could see he was standing straighter. The sight made her feel better for a time.
