The response is immediate.
Rika:Thank God. I'm five minutes away.
Zoe wipes her face with the sleeve of her hoodie. "Is Mom really mad?"
I shake my head. "She's relieved. Come on."
Rika's car pulls up to the curb moments later, tires crunching on gravel. She's out of the driver's seat before the engine is fully off, and Matthew tumbles out of the back seat right behind her, still clutching Mr. Gears.
The moment Zoe sees her mother, something in her face crumples all over again. She runs to Rika, and they collide in a tangle of arms and wings, both of them crying now.
Rika holds her daughter like she's afraid she'll disappear if she lets go, her face buried in Zoe's sapphire hair.
"I'm sorry, Mom," Zoe sobs. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt Maddie."
"Shh," Rika murmurs, stroking her hair. "It's okay, baby. You're okay. That's all that matters."
Matthew joins the hug, wrapping his small arms around both of them, and for a moment they're just a family, messy and hurting but together.
I stand back, giving them space, my throat tight.
When they finally separate, all three of them are red-eyed but steadier. Rika looks at me over Zoe's head, gratitude written all over her face.
"Thank you," she mouths silently.
I nod.
The drive back to the house is quiet. Rika drives with Matthew in the passenger seat, and I follow in my SUV with Zoe. Back at the house, we gather in the entryway. The air is still heavy, but it's no longer crushing. Rika has her arm around Zoe's shoulders, and Matthew sticks close on her other side.
I take a breath and look at Zoe. "Alright. We need to talk about consequences."
Rika stiffens, protective instincts flaring. "Noah, I don't think now is the time."
"Now is exactly the time," I say gently but firmly. "Kids need to know there are boundaries they can’t cross. Zoe crossed a boundary today when she ran away. Discipline is a way of showing love, too.”
Rika opens her mouth at this, then closes it. She seems taken aback by my words, but after a few moments, she nods.
I turn back to Zoe. "You know what you did was wrong. You got physical with another student, and you left without telling anyone where you were going. You scared a lot of people, Zoe."
Zoe's chin wobbles, but she nods. "I know."
I keep my tone calm and clear. "So here's what's going to happen. You're grounded for the rest of the week. No going out with friends, no cell phone. And you owe Ms. Langford and Madison an apology."
Rika starts to protest. "Noah, she's been through enough today."
But Zoe interrupts, voice small but steady. "It's okay, Mom. He's right."
She reaches into her pocket, pulls out her phone, and hands it to me without being asked.
"I'm sorry. I know I messed up. And I'm sorry I scared you." Her voice cracks on the last word, and Rika's expression crumples.
"Oh, baby." Rika pulls Zoe into another hug, and this time it's softer. Less desperate. "I love you so much."
Then Zoe pulls back, wipes her eyes one last time, and looks between Rika and me with an expression that's equal parts exhausted and mischievous.
"You two should date," she says flatly, like she's commenting on the weather.
The words hang in the air like a grenade with the pin pulled.
