She nods before wriggling to get free. Citi lets her go and watches her as she runs all the way to Havoc, who swoops her up into his arms. I move closer to Citi when she turns back to the teacher, who huffs in annoyance. Who the fuck does this bitch think she is?
“I’d like to see the principal, please.”
“I’m sorry, but Mr. Parker is due to leave for the day.”
“Excellent, that means he’s still here then.” Citi crosses her arms and waits for the teacher to make her move.
“Miss Dillion, I realize this is all new to you, but when it comes to Star, I’m the authority in?—”
Citi cuts her off, taking a step closer. “No. I’m the authority in my daughter’s life. Right now, you’re just the bitch who failed to tell me my daughter was injured and is now keeping relevant information from me. If you don’t take me to the principal, I’ll be forced to take this issue further, and you better believe I will.”
The teacher huffs and turns on her heel. “Fine, follow me. I assume Star will be okay with her daddy for a moment.” She says the worddaddywith so much disdain that I can’t hold back my retort.
“Lady, what the fuck is your problem?”
“I’ve got this, Ambros,” Citi tells me softly as I try to corral my temper.
“You shouldn’t have to have anything. This is bullshit.”
The teacher swings a door open, revealing a reception area. A woman in her fifties lifts her head, a pair of half-moon glasses resting on the tip of her nose as she takes us in.
“Is there a problem, Miss Finch?”
“Miss Dillion would like to see Mr. Parker.”
“Okay, I’ll let him know you’re here.”
She picks up the phone on her desk and hits a number before she starts speaking. “Sorry to disturb you again, Mr. Parker, but Miss Finch is here with a Miss Dillion.” She waits for a reply before nodding. “I’ll send them right in.” She hangs up and indicates with her arm for us to head on in.
The teacher strolls across the room and knocks on the door labeled “Principal” once before entering, not bothering to wait for a reply. She pushes the door open and waits for us to follow.
Principal Parker stands from behind his desk and looks over at Citi before his eyes move to me. “Is there a problem?”
“There was an incident at lunchtime between two students. A fight broke out. It was dealt with. Miss Dillion was not happy to learn her child was not allowed back in until next week.
“Ah. Unfortunately, it is our policy to suspend children involved in fighting.”
“Isn’t it also your policy to inform the parent if an incident breaks out, especially if a child is injured in the process?”
“Well, yes, of course.”
“Then explain to me why my daughter is missing a chunk of hair, and I’ve been told a boy did it. That’s it, nothing else. I assume at the very least this boy has been suspended, too?”
“The policy is very clear,” the principal confirms with a nod, but frowns when the teacher winces.
“Miss Finch?”
“Johnny Dean is a good boy with whom I rarely have issues. He was visibly upset during the altercation. He also had to receive treatment to his face.”
“So my daughter hit him, and he pulled her hair out. You still haven’t told me the rest, but I’d like you to confirm that the other kid has been suspended too.”
We all look at her. “Your daughter was the instigator.”
“That is not what she asked.”
I’m sick of this woman’s fucking attitude.
“Answer the question, Miss Finch.” The principal sighs.
