Brute: The Valves MC by Carmen Faye

almost bumped into another parent and hurried to the Principal’s office. I was sure he’d fire me on the spot.
     
    Lucky for me, he was too involved into a conversation that sounded like something about finances to notice my lateness. I notified him, excused myself and went back to deal with the gathering parents. I could see the ones against vaccination already riled up, ready to dispute everything that was to be said in this meeting.
     
    Shaking the hands of parents walking by me, smiling politely, assuring them we had the best interest of their children at heart, I was secretly wishing there was a replay button for real life. It couldn't have been a worse day for political arguments.
     
    One particular Missus held my hand longer than was customary and started a long lament about our chronic irresponsibility as a nation, as a school and as teachers. She believed God would keep her family safe from all misfortune and proceeded to list how long some of the forefathers of Christianity had lived. Her argument was, since then there were no vaccines, the reason for their prolonged lives must’ve been the fact that they didn’t immunise their children.
     
    Hearing her tirade made my head feel like it was about to crack and I was on the brink of sending her on her way when Dawson came to the rescue. “May I steal Miss Bennett from you for a second?” he cooed at the woman who, after turning a sharp gaze at him, melted visibly and nodded.
     
    “Thank you,” I mouthed, careful not to be heard by someone.
     
    He smiled and took me closer to the door. We couldn’t leave the classroom because my presence was needed, but the air was less tense there and I could feel my migraine ease away.
     
    “I’m sorry I made your day worse, baby,” he whispered, looking true to his words.
     
    “It’s all right. I can manage it. Just don’t let me fall into this trap again. Okay?”
     
    He was struck by my serious expression and I laughed. He shifted on his feet and I guessed that he wanted to kiss me. Too bad we had to restrain ourselves for the time being.
     
    To settle him and because I was feeling grateful for his intervention, I reached a hand to caress his arm but, before I could touch him, he jerked his phone out of his front pocket and looked annoyed at the caller ID. He started for the door but a rather heavy man was blocking the way and he looked too involved in a conversation with the Principal to leave soon.
     
    I frowned. Dawson looked like a cornered animal and I felt something was wrong. I stepped closer to ask him about it but I stopped in my tracks.
     
    “Don’t ever call me on this phone again! You hear me, Rust?” I heard him say through gritted teeth. His words made me turn on my heels and look for something else to settle my mind. I really didn’t need another mystery for the day and his seemed like one I wouldn’t like one bit.

 
    CHAPTER NINE
     
    I grabbed my purse and checked to see if I haven’t forgotten anything. Then I looked up and saw Ginger almost ready to go. “Shall we, honey?” I asked, crossing the empty classroom and taking her extended hand.
     
    She nodded and started to walk in step with me. In the hallway, I looked around to make sure no one saw us. For this weekend, Dawson asked me to take Ginger directly from school and I was wary to be discovered. My heart was already beating like it wanted to jump out of my chest when we were finally within a few steps of the exit.
     
    “Miss Marigold Bennett?”
     
    My heart skipped a beat. I always felt uneasy around my boss, especially since he had the uncomfortable habit of using my full name. It felt like I was being scolded and it was cringeworthy that he always talked like he was scolding someone.
     
    “Yes, Mr. Deck?” I said, turning around.
     
    “Finished for the week, then?” he inquired, eyeing suspiciously the little girl beside me.
     
    “Yes, Sir.”
     
    I never knew how to talk to him. You couldn’t make jokes