Lily nodded, a tear leaking out. “He wanted my lunch money. I said no. He… he shoved me. And then he laughed when I cried. He said, ‘My dad is rich. I can do whatever I want.’”
“And the teachers?”
“They were in the break room. Max told everyone I tripped.”
I stood up. I adjusted the blanket over her shoulders. I kissed her forehead one more time.
“Rest now, Lily. Grandma is coming to sit with you.”
“Where are you going, Mommy?” panic flared in her eyes. “Are you going to get fired?”
I smiled. It was a small, tight smile that didn’t reach my eyes.
“No, sweetie. No one can fire Mommy. I’m just going to… clarify some rules at your school.”
I walked out of the room, my heels clicking rhythmically on the linoleum floor. I passed the nurses’ station without a glance. I pulled my phone from my purse.
I didn’t dial the school’s main line. I dialed a number saved as “District Clerk – Priority.”
