1. Wire and Words #6
Coach Schneider nodded from beside the door. "That matches the little I heard, sir, and what I saw. Mr. Weber's action was unprovoked."
"Excuse me," the secretary poked her head into the meeting room. "Mrs.," she hesitated, then enunciated, "Tai-noo-it is here?"
Aunt Lucy, Gertie in arms, came in behind the secretary. "There is a problem?"
"Yes, ma'am." Mr. Flemming pointed. "Miss Taylor was in a scuffle with Mr. Weber and Mr. Schnell. A fourth student was hit with a lunch tray but is not injured."
"I see." Her aunt hitched Gertie higher on her hip as she studied the other adults. Gertie waved, so Claire waved back. The baby grinned, flashing four very white, sharp teeth.
The principal said, "Given the footage from the security cameras in the cafeteria, and the testimony of several students, Miss Taylor is suspended for the rest of today and tomorrow.
I'm sorry, but that is district policy for any student involved in a fight.
" He sounded apologetic. "She may get her books before she leaves. Deputy, will you escort her, please?"
"Yes, Mr. Flemming. Come." Claire followed Deputy Holzclaw out of the room. Oh, it was good to have air and be away from angry grownups. "Which locker's yours?"
"B hallway, 206, ma'am." Had the deputy played basketball when she was younger? She was taller than Dad Jude, almost as tall as Coach Schneider, but not nearly as wide.
"Good. Get your things." Claire took the lead and worked fast, stuffing books and notebooks into her backpack, then closing and locking the metal door as quietly as she could. The deputy led the way back to the office.
"Good. AJ is with your uncle," Aunt Lucy declared. "I hope they have not taken the car apart to improve it."
The deputy chuckled before she caught herself. She followed them to the door of the building, then went back inside. Aunt Lucy didn't say anything until they reached the SUV. "Oh good, the hood's still closed."
Uncle Jude stayed quiet until they left the parking lot. Then he said, "Claire, did you start it?"
"No, sir. I promise, I didn't start it, and I had already told Jenn that she should go to the dance with Tim if she wanted to." It wasn't fair.
"Two on one, and she tried twice to get away, according to the principal and lunch monitor, and the CCTV video," Aunt Lucy reported. "She's suspended today and tomorrow, but they let her take her work. District policy."
"Benes." That meant good. The way he said it meant that he was not happy. "That will make the visit tomorrow with Nagy and the lady from Child Protective easier."
She made herself very small in the back seat.
The boys started it, why did she have to be punished too?
And it would hurt her grades, and Uncle Paul would be mad, and if her mother found out— She could already hear the shrieks.
And her hand stung. She should have broken his grip and kicked him, or stepped on his foot, or ducked faster and run, not hit his nose. Had he been wearing boots?
His words sank in. "Um, Sir, Deputy Nagy?"
"You need to talk to Child Protective, Claire, about your mother's behavior.
Deputy Nagy will be there if you want her to be.
You are not in trouble," Aunt Lucy assured her.
"I talked to your Uncle Paul, and we are going to see about getting the visit requirement removed from his custody agreement. "
The car pulled into the driveway before she could cheer.
"Claire, after you get AJ out of his booster, please help with the groceries." Uncle Jude didn't sound angry, more like tired.
"He, he, he." She looked over. AJ had shed both shoes. He grinned.
"Will you do that when you're in high school?" she asked as she opened the door and got out. Laughter answered her question. What was it with him and shoes, anyway?
Only after they got in the house did Uncle Jude speak. Once they finished putting the cold things in the freezer or fridge, he said. "Claire?"
"Sir?" She ducked small.
"Well done. Deputy Heinrichs called as we were leaving the grocery store to confirm that I was not on traffic duty yesterday." He sounded irked. "He warned me about the fight, and the Weber family's concern."
Her shoulders sagged as she said, "Yes, sir. Carl said that you gave his brother a speeding ticket, then Tim said that I thought I was too good to go out with him."
"Passing a school bus that had flashing red lights and the sign out, as well as speeding. The bus driver sent it in." He extended one arm.
She hugged him, careful of the things on his belt. He half-hugged her back.
"Ahem." Aunt Lucy frowned, sort of. "Since you are home early, you can help gather apples, so your uncle won't hurt himself." The word "again" hung in midair.
"My hand was just a little stiff, not hurt," Dad Jude began, letting go of her so he could face Aunt Lucy.
Aunt Lucy had the determined look in her eyes that meant Uncle Jude would lose the argument. Again.
"I'll go change," Claire squeaked, then scooted down the hall and into her room before she giggled.