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“No.” Love Hill crosses her arms over her chest. “I am not moving from this seat until Meadow is given the same punishment as Skye.”
“I guess I’ll be phoning my son-in-law to arrest you.” Mrs. West picks up her phone.
“Lyric is welcome to try. This is a non-violent protest.”
The principal sets the phone back on the desk. “You are not in charge of deciding the punishments in this school. I am.”
“Obviously, you need some help with your decision making if a little girl can tell another little girl her mamma doesn’t love her without repercussion.”
“She was given a stern talking to.”
Love Hill snorts. “You don’t get it, do you? You have no idea how it feels to be an outsider in this town where everyone is welcomed with open arms. You have no idea how it feels to be the only person in the classroom who doesn’t have a mother. Or the only person who doesn’t have a father. Or the only person no one will listen to when you’re accused of a heinous crime.”
I glance back and forth from Love Hill to Mrs. West. “Heinous crime? What’s going on here?”
Love Hill deflates. “Nothing.”
“I think I made a mistake,” Mrs. West mutters.
Love Hill nods. “I agree. Meadow should be suspended for as long as Skye is suspended for.”
“I wasn’t referring to Meadow…” Love Hill growls to cut her off. “I’ll call Meadow’s parents. I didn’t think…” She shakes her head. “I think we should discuss our non-violent policy at a town meeting.”
Love Hill stands. “Can we take Skye home now?”
“I’m serious, Ms. Hill. I’m ready to discuss this.”
Love glances away. “I’m not.”
I squeeze her hand. I have no idea what’s going on or why Love is hurting. The only thing I can do is squeeze her hand and stand by her side. I have a feeling no one’s stood by her side in a long time.
Including me. I couldn’t fire her quick enough based on some nasty things a few people said.
“Let’s go get Skye.” Love nods. “Goodbye, Mrs. West.” My voice is clipped. I may be clueless about what their discussion entailed, but I have a feeling this woman did something to hurt Love. Something she’s yet to recover from.
Mrs. West nods. “Thank you for coming in.”
“As if we had a choice,” Love mutters.
I drag her away before they can get into another verbal skirmish I don’t understand.
Skye is waiting for us in the nurse’s room.
“Come on, squirt. Time to go home.”
She appears confused. “I have class with Miss Hazel.”
“Or we can get some ice cream,” Love suggests.
“Ice cream?” I shiver. “It’s freezing out.”
Love grasps Skye’s hand and leads her out of the room. “Isn’t your daddy silly? He thinks it’s too cold for ice cream. It’s never too cold for ice cream.”
Skye giggles. “Daddy’s silly.”
I grasp her free hand and lead her out of the school. I peer back as we exit. I thought a small town would be a great place to raise my daughter. But now I’m wondering if I was wrong. If I should have stayed in San Diego all along.
My gaze catches Love smiling down at Skye as my daughter tells her all about her morning at school. Maybe there are things in Winter Falls worth staying for after all.
