“Bullying does too, which is why they were fighting to begin with. She’s been bullied all school year by this same group of girls. I’ve made three reports, and because you all said it was a case of she said-she said, nothing was done about it. Now that my sister finally reached her breaking point, you want to address it and talk to me about policies?”
“We would have taken the proper steps to address the bullying if there was proof,” Ragen reasoned. “Yes, I do believe Dreya was bullied, and I get why. I’ve been the principal of this school since you were a student here. I saw the way you were treated because of your mother, and I’m sure what Dreya is experiencing now isn’t much different.” Ragen’s tone softened when she took off her glasses with a soft sigh. “I wish I could tell you Dreya could go back to class and we can forget this, but that’s now how it works. Just like the rest of the girls were suspended, she will have to be too. And because we have this fight on record, if Dreya does come to us again reporting bullying, we will have a foundation to believe it and respond accordingly. All involved parties will be expelled. I’m sorry if that seems unfair, but there’s nothing else I can do.”
Massaging her temples, Dru nodded her agreement. “How long will she be suspended, Principal Ragen?”
“Three days. The other girls will be suspended for five.”
“Is there a way I can get a report of what happened today? I’m going to try and get custody of Dreya, and I think this will help.”
Ragen smiled as she nodded. “I’m . . . happy to hear that. Yes, I can definitely get you an incident report, and please let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help.”
“Thank you.”
Dru made her way out of the office and told Dreya to come on. “Am I suspended?” she checked.
“Yeah. Three days.”
“Shoot. Tina’s gonna kill me.”
“She better not say shit to you. This is her damn fault.”
Dreya sighed as they stepped out into the hallway. “You know she won’t see it that way. All she’s going to do is complain about me being in the house in her way for the next three days. Ugh.”
“I’ll handle her. Just stay in your room if you feel like you have to avoid her. Or come in mine. Unfortunately, I lost my job today, so I’ll be at home with you.”
“Oh no!” Dreya stopped walking and turned toward Dru. “It wasn’t because of me, was it? I always mess things up for you.”
Before Dreya could get too upset, Dru cupped her shoulders and assured her with, “It was not because of you. It was because of me coming to work late and leaving early. You come first, above everything. I’ll never not show up for you.”
Dreya’s head shook as her eyes watered. “I’m so sorry, Dru. I just keep making things worse for you.”
“Aht aht. Stop with all that. You have nothing to apologize for. I’m good, and we’re going to be good too. I promise.”
It was clear that wasn’t what Dreya wanted to hear, but in that moment, Dru didn’t have too much energy to spare. As much as she wanted her sister to believe her, she’d have to believe on her own. Dru was mentally and emotionally exhausted. She’d take one or two days to rest before seeing ifshe could pick up some afternoon shifts at the lounge until she found another job. It was ironic that she was late because she was oversleeping, and temporarily saw getting fired as a way to rest. That wouldn’t last for long. She still had to pay their rent, and she’d never rely on Tina to do the right thing. One or two days to rest, . . . that was all she’d give herself, and then, it would be back to the grind.
Dreya’s giggles were like a balm to Dru’s soul. As horrible as the day started, it ended well. They’d decided to watch Disney movies and pig out on pizza and ice cream, and Dru couldn’t be happier. She didn’t think anything could ruin her night until Tina stormed into her room.
“Dreya, go to your room,” Tina demanded with fire in her eyes and her step. Dreya looked at Dru before moving. “Hey!” Tina yelled, snapping her fingers. “Contrary to what the two of you believe,I’myour mother, and you do what the hell I say. Not her. Now go.”
With a pout, Dreya stood. “She’s been more of a mother to me than you,” she muttered.
“Hey, be respectful,” Dru urged, though there was nothing but truth behind her sister’s statement.
“I should smack the shit out of you,” Tina taunted as Dreya walked past her.
“Touch her, and I will forget you gave birth to me,” Dru warned, cutting the TV off. “Now what do you want?”
“When were you going to tell me she got suspended from school?”
“When you got home. You’ve been gone literally all day. I called you when we first got here, and you didn’t respond.”
“Then you should have texted me.”
Rolling her eyes, Dru released an annoyed breath. “I will not allow you to take your anger out on me. I know the school called you and told you or at least left you a voicemail. I called to tell you, and like I said, I was going to tell you when you got home. Whatever anger you’re feeling, you do not need to direct toward me.”
Tina laughed. “You know what? You’re right. It needs to go toward her little bad ass.”
“No, it needs to go toward yourself! You don’t even realize how your selfish decisions affect her. Dreya got into a fight because you’re planning sex parties for her classmates’ daddies and offering her to them. What kind of fucking woman are you? Damn being a mother. You’re a woman. How do you think that shit is okay? She’s sixteen, and you’re offering her to a man that’s more than twice her age. You’ve already stripped her of her innocence. What more do you want to take from her?”
