“Are you okay, baby? Next time someone grabs you like that, I want you to tell them that your mom will make them regret it.”She pulled him into a hug and then held him out at arm’s length and tilted her head, as if she was studying him. “Tell Mom what happened.”
Even though I wanted to pick the old woman up and shake her, I decided to watch Callie and see how she handled herself. She’d already proven to be impressive but I wanted to see more.
“She took my new book and hid it. I heard her talking on the phone. She said that I probably couldn’t even read. But I can read. I believe that I can even read better than she can, if I take into consideration her impulse control. A lower IQ can make it harder for some to resolve conflict peacefully.” Oliver shrugged like he hadn’t just roasted the hell out of Karla and looked up at his mom. “It’s time to go home and have dinner.”
“Excuse me?!” Karla’s face had bypassed red and was turning a very concerning purple shade. “Did your little brat just call me stupid?”
Luke tried to step forward but I held my arm out to stop him. Callie didn’t need us to fight her battle with Karla. “Let her handle it.”
“Why would you take his new book?” Callie straightened and pulled Oliver into her side and held him close. “And where the hell do you get off talking about him, or any student, on the phone like that? Do you know how damaging that could be to a student who isn’t as confident in themselves?”
“I didn’t call you stupid. I was simply questioning your IQ based on the way you conduct yourself.”
It probably didn’t help that I laughed, or that the sound seemed to come from the deepest part of my being, as if the devil himself was laughing at Karla. Oliver flashed me a wide smile and Callie’s cheeks colored but it was Karla who had the biggest reaction. Her eyes went so wide I was worried they’d pop out of her head and her mouth snapped shut and pursed so tight that it looked painful.
She took a few seconds to react and then she unleashed on Callie. “You bring your rude kid here and expect everyone else to take care of him while you flirt with men who are clearly out of your league and off limits. It’s embarrassing, honestly. I’m not your babysitter, though, and if you insist on leaving that brat wherever you want, I’ll be forced to file a formal complaint with Principal Darren. It’s irresponsible and I’m honestly concerned about you being in charge of a class of children when you can’t even control your own.”
Ben cleared his throat and stepped forward but Callie proved that she didn’t need us to wear capes for her. She eased Oliver behind her and leaned closer to Karla with a dangerous look in her eyes.
“Do you hate children, yourself, or other women more, Karla? Whatever your answer, I don’t care. I’ve tried being nice and respectful to you but your insistence on insulting me and my child is making it impossible. File a complaint. I’d be happy to inform the principal about your behavior, especially when in front of parents.” Callie gestured to us. “You will not bully my child and get away with it. Understand? Leave him alone from now on or I’m not going to be able to stay polite.”
Oliver stepped out and frowned at Karla. “She still has my book.”
“Give him back his book. You know just how little teachers make at this school so when I buy my son something and you take it, I will always take it personally. Theft is a serious offense, Karla.” Callie let out a deep sigh and I recognized the signs of fatigue she was showing. Her body just seemed to sag suddenly, like even standing was feeling a bit too hard.
I cut off whatever venom Karla was about to spew. “Alright, it’s late. Give the boy his book so we can all get out of here.”
Karla glared at me but she must’ve been tired, too, because she turned and walked out of the room, just to return a minute later with a thick book clutched in her hand. “This isn’t over.”
Callie shot me a smile but she was fading fast. She took the book and gathered her things while the three of us guys just stood there, waiting to walk her to her car. She smiled at us once more and then hesitated when we all moved towards the door with her. “What…?”
Ben took the book and handed it to Oliver and then pulled Callie’s bags from her shoulder. “We’ll walk you to your car.”
She didn’t even argue. She just led the way out of the school and across the parking lot. The night was muggy and sweat instantly beaded across my forehead but the heat seemed to unwind Callie’s tense muscles. By the time we reached her car her shoulders were back where they were supposed to be, instead of up around her ears.
“Thank you. All of you. Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on this year but it feels like I’ve never needed rescuing more. It’s a little embarrassing.” She opened the back door and let Oliver climb inside. “Say goodbye, baby.”
Oliver kicked aside a few empty energy drink cans and sighed. “Someone should help my mom clean her car more often. Goodbye.”
Callie scoffed as he shut the door and dove into his book. “Rude.”
“The more time I spend around the kid, the more I think he could make several of my Navy buddies cry.” I shook my head and decided I needed to take my chance to ask her out before Luke or Ben made their move. “What are you-”
“Are you busy-”
“I was thinking-”
I shot an exasperated look at my best friends. “Seriously?”
Ben’s grin was easy and charming, just like him. “Seems you’re in high demand, Miss Morgan.”
Callie’s face glowed pink in the shitty light of the parking lot. “Oh, I…”
I could tell she was going to turn all of us down by the tone in her voice so I decided to take one for the team. “I was thinking the kids would like a playdate.”
“A playdate?” She looked surprised. “You were asking about a playdate?”
I cleared my throat and nodded. “Yep.”
