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“I really don’t need any announcements.”
“It won’t be but a second.”
I’m escorted straight to the principal’s office where I’m offered coffee and pastries. The principal folds her hands together and preens at me.
“The sizable donation you made has already been earmarked for our new sports wing. The lacrosse team is ready to bring glory to our division next season…”
Something about her words make me itch.
“We’re already in talks with a Division 1-level secondary school. My dream is to build a pipeline straight from our hollowed halls to the big leagues…”
“Not sports.”
Her eyebrows hike. “Erhm. Excuse me?”
I lean my elbow against the desk. “I’d like to fund an ASL course at the school.”
The eyelashes start fluttering next. “Mr. Sullivan, I don’t believe that’s how donations work.”
“That’s how they work now,” I say firmly. “Will that be a problem?” The words are accompanied with a stern frown.
The principal bursts into nervous laughter. “Oh no! Not at all. Whatever you like!”
There’s a knock on the door.
Talia pokes her head in, eyes wide in curiosity. The moment she sees me, a giant grin spreads across her face.
“Uncle Dare!”
“Hey, pretty girl.”
Talia streams inside the room and leaps on me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you.” I pinch her cheek affectionately.
The principal presses both lips together, smile strained. “I’ll let you two have a moment.” She stalks out of the room and I hear her mumbling about ‘entitled pricks’ as the door closes behind her.
“How have you been, Tals?” I cup her cheeks and turn her head back and forth. I don’t see any head injuries. “How many fingers am I holding up?” I flash a peace sign.
She giggles and pushes my hand off. “Uncle Dare, did you call me to the principal’s office for this?”
“Didn’t you miss me?”
“Yeah, but I’min school,” she says it the way a lawyer would whisper ‘I’m in court’.
I squint at her. “Why does it sound like I interrupted you?”
“We’re in the middle of story time.” She purses her lips. “You could have waited until Algebra at least.”
“Algebra is import… Talia, where’s your watch?”
My niece lifts her bare hand and looks down as if noticing it for the first time. Guilt flashes in her eyes and she hides her arm behind her back.
“Um, in class.”
“You took it off and left it in class?”
Another eye dart to the left. “Mm-hm.”
