Page 7 of Losing Faith

“What I just said.” I walk into the apartment and his huge rottweiler walks over to me. I pat her head before she walks over to Sire’s girlfriend, who’s making her way to us.

“Hey, Jackson.” Vidia treads lightly as she glances at the paper he is reading. I say hi in return as I watch the realization slowly hit him.

“They can’t do this.” He shakes his head in annoyance as he hands the paper to his girlfriend.

“Yes, theycan. She isn’t meeting the requirements to be moved up. Do you expect them to let her struggle in the next grade?”

He remains silent.

“Exactly, you pulled her out of schooltentimes this year and I told you to stop doing it. Now look.” I gesture to the paper.

I can tell he feels bad, but his sympathy isn’t going to help my kid. I’m more mad at myself for not putting my foot down and taking him off her blue card like I said I would.

“It was not—”

“It was, Sire. They showed me her record, she’s barely been in tutoring. Aside from you fucking up my kid, do you know how bad of a father I look now?” I read with Isabelle every chance I get but of course, they don’t know that nor do they care.

“Oh, please. You’re not a bad dad, Jack—”

“To them I am. It was hard to get her into this damn school and all of them doubted me from the second I signed her up because they think she’s suffering with one parent. Now she’s failing and it’s proving all of them right that I can’t do this.” I let out a long breath before running a hand down my face. I feel my head pounding and I don’t think today could get worse.

I turn to leave but stop short at Sire’s words. “Wait, Jackson, I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have pulled her out of class so much but you’re far from a bad dad, man. You’re the best damn parent I know and everyone who doubted you can go fuck themselves.”

I shake my head at him before turning around and he goes on. “Youcando this. You’re already doing it. You’re kicking ass at raising Isa.”

“And we’ll make sure she doesn’t fail,” Vidia voices from his side before grabbing a hold of his hand.

“Yeah.” Sire nods encouragingly. “Bring her over for a few hours after school and I’ll work with her, get her up to speed.”

Vidia offers me a smile as she continues for him. “If that doesn’t work, then we’ll find the best tutor and pay for everything.” She smiles up at me and I decide not to decline their offer only because she’s smiling at me like she thinks this will work and I need it to work.

“Fine.”

They both nod but I look over at Sire again.

“You’re off her blue card.”

He must sense the seriousness in my voice because his entire face drops. “Jackson, come on.” When I don’t respond, his shoulders drop slightly. “Who are they going to call if there’s an emergency and you don’t answer? I swear—”

“They’ll call Vidia.”

Her head snaps over to me and she looks confused before her face softens and a smile grows on her face. “Really?”

“Yeah, I know you two are always together, so you’ll most likely be with him in the event of an emergency, or you’ll call him.” I give her a shrug as her smile grows. “Either way, I trust you.” She also went to college with us, and while we weren’t as close, if Sire is dating her, I trust her with my kid.

“Thank you. I won’t be pulling her out of class, promise.”

Her boyfriend playfully shoves her away and her laugh fills the entire apartment. “Smartass.” He rolls his eyes at her with a smile before turning to me. “August is going to be offended. You told him he was your third option after your mom and me.”

I let out a soft laugh as I imagine his brother’s dramatic reaction. “I lied. I love your brother and I’m sure he’s great with kids, especially mine, but he’s one of the last people I’d trust if anything happened to Belle.”

He wouldn’t be able to stay calm or focus very long in an emergency, which isn’t his fault, but still.

“I’m telling him you said that.”

“I’m sure you will, asshole.”

Sire laughs and I ignore him as I hug Vidia goodbye.

---