"But it's alongtime!" she moaned. "Violet, they're not going to stop. You know that!"
"I do," I agreed. "But you are stronger than that. What they're saying isn't true. We all know that. They're just doing it to hurt you, so you push through, and once all of this is done, we'll see what we can do, ok?"
"And then Ash will teach me how to punch someone in the face?"
I had to fight to keep from smiling. "Or I will, or Darnell, or anyone in this house."
"You know how to punch someone?" she asked.
I nodded. "Gran made me take self-defense classes before I could go on tour as a model. She said she didn't want me to get mugged in Berlin. No clue why she picked Berlin, but that's what she said."
"Can I learn how?" Faith gave me a look that was half devious and half pleading, as if she'd just found a loophole.
"That's a question for your dad," I told her. "I also know that Darnell can teach you, which might help you press the case, but only defense stuff. No attacks."
She huffed. "That's no fun."
"That's the rules for the next month - and a week." I rubbed her arm. "Trust me, we all wish this would go faster, but Luke made a mistake when he jumped in to help Ash, and now we don't know what's going to happen."
"I'm glad he did, though," Faith said, "even if it means I have to live with my mom. Friends are supposed to stick up for each other, but Mom says Dad's a no-good punk who thinks his fist will fix everything."
"He's not," I assured her. "Luke is an amazing man who stands up for what he believes in. He's a proud man, and I respect him for that. He tries hard to do the right thing, even when others don't see it that way."
"He said that we should do it even when it's not easy," she admitted. "He said that the best things in the world aren't always the easiest."
"And this is one of those things," I pointed out. "You facing down your bullies every day is going to be hard. It's still the right thing, Faith. Think of it as you teaching them that being mean and shallow doesn't work. If you can do that, then we'll do everything we can to help. I promise. It's going to be hard, but we are all cheering for you, and you can honestly tell us about it."
"And maybe show you my comeback book to see if you have better ideas?"
"Every day," I assured her. "When you get home from school, we'll go through those, ok?" But I remembered something else. "Oh, and I have to fess up."
"About what?" she asked, immediately looking worried.
"When you asked if I was eating lunch, I lied. I was ashamed that I'd forgotten, but when you went to class, I got up and had yogurt."
She groaned and rolled her eyes. "Violet!"
"I know!" I said, using her same tone. "But if you want to make this a thing, you can text me when you're headed to lunch, and I'll make something, ok? Then we can eat together. That way I'll remember."
"And then I won't have to have lunch alone," she agreed. "Cross your heart?"
I made an X on my chest. "And hope to die."
So she did the same thing. "Me too. I'm so glad you're Dad's girlfriend. You're much nicer than my mom."
"Only because I'm not the one punishing you," I reminded her. "I still get to be cool, and I'm gonna roll with that as long as I can."
"Forever," she told me. "Maybe Dad will even get brave and ask you to marry him."
I just laughed, easing myself off the bed. "How about we don't rush that, Faith. Now, you change clothes and do any homework you have. I need to finish working."
"Violet?" she asked just as I reached her door. I paused to look back, but she was already taking off her boots. "Thanks for being my friend. I know it's probably not cool to hang out with a kid, but you and Ash are kinda my only friends right now."
"Not true. Cy, Cessily, and Darnell think of you that way too. Besides, I think you're fun."
The smile that put on her face made it worth all the worry I'd had throughout the day. Those simple little words were all that child needed to hear, and as I headed up the hall, I promised that I'd say them more often. She just needed someone to remind her that she was worth something, and I had no problem doing that.
Chapter Twenty
