Page 5 of Dagger

“She’s annoying,” Dani offered in a small, still polite voice.

“That’s a life lesson, not everyone is wonderful.” It was a lesson I’d learned too young. There would always be people you didn’t like in this world, and how you dealt with them was the only thing you could control.

“You’re not mad?”

“Me? Of course not. Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself just to show people there are consequences to messing with you.” It might not be the best advice, but it was exactly the right advice in the moment.

Later that afternoon during art class, Krissy and her cronies were at it again, teasing Dani. “She doesn’t even have a mom!” She cackled with laughter, perfectly fitting a cartoon villain.

Poor Dani. The little girl was frozen in place, like a deer caught in headlights. Her hands were balled into tight fists andher skin had gone pale. Small beads of sweat popped up along her hairline and I instantly knew what was happening.

“Krissy,” I snapped. “Go to the principal’s office. Right now.”

“But—” she began to argue.

“No, I don’t want to hear it. Go. Now.” I didn’t relish kicking a student out of my class, but she’d gone too far. As soon as she was gone, I turned my attention back to Dani. “Come with me.” I took her hand and guided her out of the classroom and into the teachers’ lounge.

“I’m fine,” she insisted, her voice small and quiet. “I promise. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, just breathe.” I inhaled and exhaled slowly until she followed along. “That’s it, just breathe.” My heart clenched for the pain she was clearly in and the steel spine she was determined to exhibit in the face of it. “You’re good.”

“I’m a freak.”

“No! You’re not a freak, you are someone who has panic attacks. Just like me and millions of other people.”

Her eyes rounded. “You too?”

“Yep, since I was about your age. It happens even now, but it’s totally manageable, so you are absolutelynota freak. Got it?”

She offered a watery smile. “Got it.”

The bell sounded and I knew soon enough the lounge would be filled with teachers in need of a break from theirenergetic students. “Come on.” We returned to the classroom, and I watched Dani as she wandered around in the room, staring at the self-portraits, landscape drawings, and motivational sayings pinned to the walls.

“My mom is dead,” she began softly. “Everyone says she was crazy. They talk about her when I’m not supposed to be listening, but I hear them. Sometimes I wonder if I’m like her.”

That was heartbreaking. “I’m sorry about your mom. I lost my mom when I was very young too and it never gets easier. Some days I wonder if I’m remembering her right.”

“I don’t remember her at all,” she admitted. “But I have Callie and Charlie. That’s my nanny and the housekeeper, they take care of me,” she informed me with a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “My dad is really busy, but…” she crossed the room and stopped just a foot from me, “I don’t think he likes me very much.”

I thought of my own father. “I just met you and I like you, so I’m sure your father adores you.” I hoped he did, then again, I remembered having a neglectful father. I knew my dad loved me, but the ache in his heart from losing Mom blotted out everything else. “Grief hits people in strange ways.”

“Maybe.”

Damn, this little girl was breaking my heart. “Trust me. When I found out I got the job here, I wanted to call my mom. Then I remembered and I was sad all over again.”

The recess bell rang, and it was time for my heart-to-heart with Dani Kane to end. But as soon as the last bell rang, I turned on my laptop and emailed Mr. Kane. I didn’t know theman since he didn’t pick Dani up from school, but it was time for a face-to-face meeting.

Chapter 4

Dagger

“Oh man, this shit is sick, bro!” Matt, an accountant, looked at his freshly inked calf in the mirror with a wide, satisfied smile. “It looks just like I wanted it to.” He turned to me with that slightly glazed look usually worn by first timers.

I flashed a half smile. “That’s usually the point.”

He laughed again. “Yeah, I know, but this isexactlyhow I pictured it.”

I gave his calf one last swipe, cleaned and wrapped it before standing. “I aim to please.”

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