Chapter 24 – Easton #2
“Not a fucking word about my little brother, Billson,” Diesel cut in. “He’s perfect.”
“He’s an amusing kid.”
“Enough said,” Diesel said flatly.
“Indeed, Mr. Caldwell.”
Satisfied, Diesel dug inside his jacket and came up with a strap of cash and held it out to Billson. “Your legitimate money will be transferred this Friday with everyone else’s.”
Billson accepted the cash, unlocked the smallest desk drawer and dropped his money inside before locking it back. Instead of leaving the key in the hole, he pocketed it and grabbed another small stack of papers. “I’m glad I could be of service, Mr. Caldwell.”
They left Billson to his grading and resumed the fast-paced tour.
Wilhemhein in Pacific Hall, or the math building, was a chameleon.
He greeted them politely and answered them sharply.
Ms. Flotsam whose class was in Franklin Hall, reminded Easton of a prison warden.
Her students regarded him and Diesel with curiosity until she clapped her hands and they returned to their tablets.
Coach Yancy and Mr. Marksum were likeable fellows that Easton expected to get along with. Ms. Mendez was quite pretty with her dark hair and dark eyes and one of the few younger female teachers Easton met. She seemed completely taken with Diesel as most women were for whatever fucking reason.
Back in the office, Diesel looked at the wall clock and cursed. “Rebel will not be happy with me if I’m not there to greet her.”
“Kid sisters are like that,” Easton said in a not-so-subtle reminder of Rebel’s place in that fuckhead’s life as he dropped into the uncomfortable desk chair.
He’d seen enough to know exactly how Diesel felt about her, so Diesel’s nod and fond smile surprised Easton.
“They are. Her in particular.” Dismissing the conversation, he turned and looked around. “Goddamn this office is horrendous.”
“Tell me about it,” Easton grumbled. “But I guess I’m stuck with it.”
Facing Easton again, Diesel blinked in surprise. “Why do you say that?”
“Is one of my perks a decorating budget?”
“As long as you protect my brothers and sister and do whatever needs doing to move them from grade to grade and let them enjoy school life, you can ask to redecorate every year and you’ll get it.”
It was Easton’s turn to blink. He’d been joking. Diesel was serious.
“Are they here for an education?” It didn’t sound like it. He might not have been a school administrator but moving children through a school system without meeting basic requirements shortchanged them. “To meet a quota? Because it’s the law?”
“Aunt Meggie wants her children educated, Easton. She wants all of us to experience college. But we’ll be lucky to get CJ to graduate high school.
He’s a smart kid when he can focus, but his head is in the club.
Rebel struggles with math but she gets good grades in all her other classes.
Her twin was an A/B student. Mattie is brilliant and Harley excels at anything she put her mind to.
Ryan is a ‘B’ student. Rory is a ‘C’ student.
Axel sometimes struggles with math and language arts.
Ransom and Ryder are B/C students. Those three are collectively known as The Terrible Triplets.
Heed that title. They can be awful little motherfuckers. ”
Diesel shocked Easton yet again. He’d had all that information stored in his head.
“There are other kids, right?” Easton asked.
“Aunt Meggie has two kids not yet in school. Gunner and Jo. Kendall has Blade. Cove, Bunny’s youngest, will start school in the fall. There are nine or ten more currently enrolled, who I have no clue about.”
The job seemed daunting, mainly because of the special treatment.
“Those kids aren’t stupid, Easton,” Diesel said when Easton voiced his concerns. “Most of the student body doesn’t know Aunt Meggie and Uncle Christopher own the fucking school. They follow CJ’s lead and he acts like a regular student.”
“Not so regular if the younger kids have special privileges.”
“It was approved by the teachers. Trust me when I say don’t rock that boat.”
“I’ll get in trouble.”
“When the suspensions start rolling in, you will,” Diesel said, then shrugged.
“You can try it your way, but I suggest you give yourself a little breathing room before you jump into that particular fire.” He glanced around again.
“I would have Aunt Meggie call you. She loves decorating projects, but Uncle Christopher won’t be happy with that scenario. ”
Easton grunted. All because he resembled a movie star who Meggie had a crush on. “I can’t change my fucking face.”
“More’s the pity. It would save a lot of bullshit.”
“I suppose so,” Easton agreed, and thrust his chin toward the locked file cabinet. “I suppose the kids’ records are under lock and key?”
“Something like that,” Diesel said cryptically. “All paper trails are for legitimate business only. Do not text about jobs—”
“Do you think I’m fucking stupid? I know how this works.”
“We’ll fucking see,” Diesel grumbled, and started to walk out. “What kind of fucking car do you want?”
Easton laughed until he saw Diesel’s seriousness and his humor died.
He gaped. “Uh—”
“I think that borrowed Chevrolet is perfect for you, but I have to follow Aunt Meggie’s order in this. She thinks you need a car befitting your status.”
“And if I don’t last at the job? Screw up or don’t like it?”
“Then we bury you in your fucking car,” Diesel barked, snatching the doorknob in his hand. “We’ll settle this another time. Later,” he said, and left Easton alone.