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“Welcome to the club.” My phone rings. When I check the number, it’s Jinx’s school. “Look, I have to take this, but expect us for dinner. We’ll plan a decisive strike.”
I answer the phone as I rush to my car. Jinx’s school has never phoned me in the middle of the school day, and the fact they didn’t contact Zakiya concerns me.
The head of the school greets me as I speed down the halls and to the exit. “Mr. DeLuca, is it possible for someone to pick Jinx up?”
“Is she sick?” I wrack my brain but she didn’t show any symptoms when we ate breakfast, so why would she need to come home early?
“No, she isn’t ill, but she was in an altercation today and I’m afraid she’ll have to be suspended for a week.”
I stumble to a stop. “She’s six years old.”
“Please have someone pick her up as soon as possible. It’s not good for the other kids to be disrupted by her presence.”
The asshole hangs up on me like he’s forgotten who the fuck I am. I call Zakiya and tell her to meet me at the school. I’ll need someone I trust to stop me from committing murder in front of my angioletto.
I pull into the parking lot at Jinx’s school. Zakiya is already here and meets me halfway to the entrance.
“What is going on? They wouldn’t talk to me because I’m not Jinx’s mother.” Pain streaks through her voice at the injustice.
“They’re mistaken and we’ll uncover what’s happening soon.”
We enter the school and the school escort leads us to Dr. Jakob.
“Mr. Sansone, thank you for coming at such short notice. Your daughter is in my office. I’ll get her and you can be on your way.” Dr. Jakob dismisses us by turning his back.
“I’m not going anywhere until you explain what happened,” I say. Irritation crawls up my spine.
His attitude no longer bears the same conciliatory tone as our prior meetings.
Dr. Jakob presses his lips into a thin line but nods and opens his office door for us to enter.
Jinx sits huddled in a ball, her shoulders shaking.
“Mio angioletto.” I open my arms to her when she raises her tear-streaked face.
Jinx runs to me and I pick her up, squeezing her and rubbing her shoulders, my heart breaking for what she’s going through.
“Why is Jinx in tears?” Zakiya demands, her protector persona rising to the surface.
“Please have a seat.” He sits behind his desk.
Zakiya and I exchange glances before sitting.
“Jinx started a fight with another student in her class.”
“That’s a lie!” Zakiya shoots to her feet. “Jinx wouldn’t start a fight.”
“A fight involves more than one person. Where’s the other child and their parents?” I ask.
“Seeing as the little boy was the victim, he will not be reprimanded.” Dr. Jakob speaks slowly as if to a person who has difficulty understanding simple words.
“I demand to hear what happened.” Zakiya thrusts her finger into the man’s face.
Dr. Jakob pushes her finger to the side with a sneer and then wipes his hand on a handkerchief. “For the safety of the children here, we do not allow strangers to question children without their parent or guardian present. But be assured, we tried to get her side of the story, however, she wouldn’t speak to defend herself. She’s obviously at fault.” Dr. Jakob takes a pen and spins it between his fingers.
“Who questioned her?” I ask.
“Pardon?”
