“Just being friends for a while is good. It gives you a chance to learn what’s important to them. What they value.”
“Ahhh. Getting to know him sounds okay. But what if I don’t want to get to know him? What if I don’t want to date him?”
That simple question is huge for a lot of children around here. They’ve been trained not to say no. Some have literally had it beaten into them or been drugged to take away any resistance. “Then you say NO. You can say it kindly. You can say it loudly. You can say it any way you need to. But if a guy asks you to do something you don’t want to do, you say no.”
“But what if something happens at my internship? I don’t want to lose it. Maybe it would be easier—”
Her even having to ask that question makes me mad. “I don’t care where you are. You say no. And if he doesn’t listen, you come to me or someone else for help. You aren’t alone now. You aren’t without protection. You scream until help comes and fight him until he bleeds or run. But you don’t need to do anything you don’t want with your body to keep a job. Do you understand me?”
Izzy nods and brushes a tear away. “I can say no.”
“Yes, you can. I know you can.”
“Thank you, Fea.”
“You’re welcome.” Even though I said exactly the same thing the last time. But kids need reminders. Adults do too.
The Death Council
Max
Focus on the baby, not on the urge to smash Canyon in the face the next time you’re near him. Seeing the two of them talking together before work…he probably walked her here. Did she make him breakfast this morning?
I hate this.
I hate everything about it.
What they did is none of my business. They are a happy couple, and you are their friend. That doesn’t matter one bit right this moment.
Dash smacks the table.
It seems that the segment on coding is over. “You need to learn patience. Coding is all about getting the details in order.”
Dash blows a bubble at me.
“I knew you’d understand. Now, watch this section very carefully. There are some important things you need to know.”
He bangs his head against my arm.
“On it.” I turn on the next video.
That baby watches intently. Others would say it’s the scrolling text and bright colors, which I know is probably true, but something tells me he’s absorbing some of this, even if it’sjust to get a feel of coding. The kid is too smart for some home that won’t appreciate and develop his gifts.
“Hey.” Fiona slides into the spot across from me with a cookie and two coffees in her hands. “I thought you might like to try one of my new flavors for the fall. It’s a double-chocolate cranberry shortbread cookie with a cream cheese frosting and candied nut sprinkles.”
This is torture. “You had me at cookie.”
Dash slams the table and reaches for the cookie.
“Oh no. I forgot to take him to the doctor.”
What? “Is he sick?”
Fiona shakes her head. “Nothing like that. I just want to see if he’s old enough to start on some real food.”
Grasping fingers get close to the cookie.
Dash doesn’t know I’ve raised sneakier hands already. “He certainly wants to try.” Now’s the time to apologize to her.
