Page 3 of Slayer Mom
I stiffened up and crossed my arms, which wasn’t quite pushing away, but close. “In the morning when you’re up first thing to leave for the office? That morning? The morning when we do all the discussing because I’m here on my own?”
He pulled back and studied me. “You’ll have the boys with you.”
“Yes, I will. If Wat needs more supervision then he’ll get it at home with me. I’ll homeschool him if I have to. Plenty of people do that all the time these days. There are video classes, and private tutors for math, not to mention all the groups. Caitlyn did homeschooling with her twins for a few years. It was fine.”
He studied me thoughtfully. “Why did you light candles?”
“They’re unscented! You have no proof that I burned any candles. You changed the subject again. Do you think that I’m incapable of teaching my children?” I really sounded aggressive. I needed to speak with more consideration, like an adult, but the cheesecake.
He moved quickly, taking me in his arms and brushing my hair away from my face withfeatherlight fingers. He was so strong, yet gentle, and he felt as good as always, which was very, very good. I missed him so much. If only this evening hadn’t gone so terribly wrong. “You are a wonderful mother. You taught them all the important things, from making their own sandwiches to tying their shoes, but there is more that they have to learn. They’re gifted children. I know that you put all of yourself into raising them, but that’s not all you are. There’s more to you that you just haven’t discovered yet. All those big single woman dreams, you would have time to pursue them. Why don’t you sleep on it? You’re right, I have an early morning tomorrow, but I’ll take you to lunch and we can discuss all the pros and cons. I’m sorry that I didn’t talk to you first before I made arrangements, but Mr. Sanatee was very upset and insistent.”
I frowned at him, because I didn’t want to sleep on it so I got a chance to think about all the ways my reasonable husband was right, but a wave of utter exhaustion almost knocked me over. He scooped me up and carried me to bed, then tenderly tucked me in.
He caressed my face and murmured, “Goodnight, love. Everything will turn out all right. You’ll see.”
two
. . .
I didn’t wakeup until nine the following morning. The kids weren’t home, of course, because they’d spent the night at Marj’s. She’d drop them off at school with her son, Mike. I felt terrible, groggy, and completely guilty for yelling at my husband last night. He’d left a nice note on the fridge.
Lucy, I’m sorry for taking matters with the boys into my hands without your consent. Please meet me at La Cocina Roja at twelve-thirty. I’ve scheduled at least two hours for our discussion. Afterwards, I made an appointment for you at the spa across the street for a relaxing massage. Maybe you’d enjoy that more than knitting, although there’s a yarn store around the corner if you feel inspired.
All my love, Hazen
I rolled my eyes, sticking his note in my pocket then grabbed everything for a sensible breakfast of vegetable packed omelet with only a dusting of cheese.
After I ate, I felt a little better, but still tired in spite of sleeping so soundly for so long. I’d meet him for lunch and have our discussion, but first I was going to get the facts for myself. I was my children’s mother. I would decide what was best for them on my own terms.
I parked in the school’s visitor’s parking in front of the massive building. This part was old, regal and gothic, but most buildings were thoroughly modern and cutting edge. I walked around to the entrance while my heart beat a little faster. This wasn’t my comfort zone, and the fact that the principal, Mr. Sanatee, had talked to my husband without my permission made me want to stop at the knitting store for some needles. Maybe I could use yarn for strangulation.
I shook my head. I had to channel calm concern and respect if I wanted this resolved easily. It took me fifteen minutes of waiting to get into his large and airy office. He greeted me at the door with a smile.
“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. You haven’t ever dropped in unexpectedly before.” His smile was pleasant enough, but I felt like I was intruding, that I had no business disturbing this important person with my unnecessary complaints.
Screw that. I let my smile turn chilly. “I’m here to talk about Wat. If he’s having troubles in school, I expect you to notify me as well as my husband.”
He gazed at me with his honey brown eyes until he blinked first and I realized that it had been a staring contest. He took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, then put them back on. “I apologize. His number was the only one the secretary could find. Did he inform you about matters and what we suggest to facilitate the best opportunities for growth and development?”
“Boarding school? Yes, he informed me.” As though he had the right to tell me what was going to happen to my children without discussing it together as equal partners.
“Mrs. Darnell, I’m not sure why you’re here.”
I stared at him. “I want you to explain to me Wat’s behavior, how long it’s been going on, and exactlywhat he did to make you come to such an extreme conclusion. My husband wasn’t clear enough for me.”
He triangled his hands on his desk and studied me. “He told you that Wat lit the student in front of him on fire at the fire and safety demonstration?”
I stared at him while my stomach lurched. “No! Is the other student okay?”
He waved a hand away. “Of course. Your other son, Lock, kept his head, knocked the student over, and got the flames out before Lukas was more than singed.”
I stood up and rubbed my throat, pacing behind my chair before I faced him again. “Why would Wat do that?” It made no sense. He was mischievous, but he’d never actually hurt anyone.
He shrugged easily. “They hate each other. Lukas has an unfortunate mouth and was insulting your son and his family. As inappropriate as that was, the way your son escalated the situation is troubling.”
“Troubling? That’s an understatement. I didn’t realize that he lit a person on fire. How long has this kind of thing been going on?” Why hadn’t anyone notified me before now? I was supposed to be responsible, but I couldn’t do anything if I didn’t know about it!
“He’s had trouble with anger management and impulse control from the beginning, but now it is getting out of hand. He realizes in retrospect that he shouldn’t have done it, but he lacks the ability to partition those emotions when he’s caught up in them. Lock is much better at controlling Wat than he is, but it’s too much to expect your oldest son to bear the burden of being responsible for Wat when Lock has his own potential to develop. The school I recommended is very well-known for its gifted program. Both of your sons are remarkable. With just a little more guidance, I believe that they can do very well.”
