Page 27 of Cross My Heart
“You listen to me, you little punk, you ever touch Tate, look at Tate, talk to Tate, or even think about Tate again, I will make your life a living hell. I don’t care what you think you can do to me; I will make sure you get what’s coming to you tenfold. Do I make myself clear?” The vitriol in my voice is unfamiliar.
He rolls his eyes while I turn to Tate.
“Hey, buddy,” I say, trying to inject every ounce of sweetness I can into my words for him. “You take a few minutes and get cleaned up. I’m taking this kid to meet your teacher. You come to find me when you’re ready, alright?”
He shakes his head but won’t make eye contact with me.
I turn to the bully. “You, move it. NOW!” I yell.
By the time I reach Tate’s classroom, I am shaking with rage. During the short walk across the hallway, the bully informs me that Mrs. Williams already knows. He said because of who his father is, she will not do anything. We walk into the classroom, him heading straight for the teacher.
“Mrs. Williams, this crazy lady just escorted me out of the restroom, I think I should call my father now,” the conniving little ass threatens.
I catch the momentary fear cross her face before she rises from her desk to walk into the hallway with me. She immediately starts as if she is going to direct this conversation.
Oh, hell-no, lady.
“I’m assuming you are yet another new nanny for Tate?” She asks, barely hiding her disgust.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Lanie Heart.” I reach out my hand, which she chooses not to shake.
“Yes, well, Ms. Heart, we have rules in this school. I’m afraid we are going to have to call the school officials. Parents are not allowed in the children’s restrooms, ever,” she informs me in the most demeaning manner.
“You know what?” I say, barely containing my anger. “That is a great idea. I would like to file a complaint. Do you know where all of your students are, Mrs. Williams? Do you know that I had to enter that bathroom because that bully in there was holding Tate down on the bathroom floor trying to force-feed him a urinal cake?”
She pales but doesn’t respond. That’s when I realize the bully was telling the truth.
“This isn’t the first time this has happened, is it, Mrs. Williams? This behavior has been going on for quite some time, yet you’ve done nothing to stop it, have you?”
“Ms. Heart, you don’t understand,” she says, her voice shaky. “Jake just has a way about him, it’s not just Tate that he teases, it’s not that big of a big deal. His other nannies never said a word.”
I see red. “I don’t give a flying fart what his other twit nannies have done or haven’t done.” I’m yelling now, and I can’t seem to stop myself. I’m vaguely aware of someone coming down the hall, but I am on a roll.
“I am here now. I will be here. Every. Single. Day. I will be checking on Tate and his classmates. I will be making calls and hounding this school day and night until Jake faces the consequences of his actions. I don’t care who his father is. He. Will. NOT. Hurt. Tate. Again. Do you understand me? You’ll be lucky if you get to keep your job when I am through with you.” Just then, a hand is laid gently on my shoulder. I turn to see Dex with Tate at his side, both of them eyes wide and mouths agape. If I wasn’t so mad, I might laugh.
“Mrs. Williams, I’m not sure what is going on, but I suggest you call the office and have someone cover the class. I think we need to have a meeting right now.” Dexter’s voice is deadly calm, but I can see the vein in his temple throbbing.
I get on my knees so I am at eye level with Tate. “Hey, Tate-o-nator, everything is going to be just fine. I promise you. Are you good to go into the classroom?” I ask, holding him securely. “I was hoping you could show me your desk. I’ll help you get settled while we wait for Mrs. Williams’ helper to come from the office.”
He seems to be slightly in shock but walks with me into the classroom.
We get him set up at his desk and am relieved to see that Jake is across the room. He still looks evil, but I can see he is at least a little worried. Even from here, I can hear the controlled venom spewing from Dexter.
I crouch down beside Tate’s desk and raise my voice slightly while speaking to him. “Bullying is never okay, under any circumstances, you understand that, right?” I want to make sure he knows but also that all the other children here realize it too. “I meant what I said. I will be here every single day, Tate. I will make sure you are safe. I promise you. I will not let this continue.”
He has gone a little pale.When he moves, he is so fast, I almost don’t see him when he barrels into me for a hug.
I kiss his head and whisper, “Everything’s going to be fine. I promise you.”
Peering around the room, I spot Dex by the door. His face is bright red, hands clenched into fists. We make eye contact and have a whole conversation without ever really saying a word.
“I’m going to go to the office now to fix this. I’ll be back to pick you up today so I can check-in. Are you going to be alright?”
Tate gives me a small smile and pulls away. He doesn’t make eye contact with anyone, but he pulls out a folder that says ‘morning work’ and gets to the task.
I stand up and glare at Mrs. Williams, then follow her to the office with Dex guiding me by the elbow. The way he is hanging on to me, I briefly wonder if I’m the one about to get into trouble.
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