Page 70 of Cross My Heart
“Alright, Tate, you ready to show us this big project you’ve been working on?” Dex asks.
“Yes, Dad, it's outside my classroom, come on.”
We are walking through the halls when we hear the tell-tale sound that can only mean one thing.
“Gross, Dad, did she really just poop like that here in my school?” By the expression on Dexter’s face, I would say yes.Harper is known for her repulsive diarrhea. I have an iron stomach, and the girl has even made me gag a few times.
“Good grief,” Dex says, rolling his eyes. “Give me the diaper bag, I’ll change her and meet you guys in Tate’s classroom.”
Laughing, I hand it over. “Okay, Tate, just you, me, and Sara for now, let's go.” I take his hand and let him lead the way. Pointing out various artwork displayed on the walls.
Tate stops, looking nervous.
“What’s up, bud? Is this what you want to show us?” I ask him. I glance around, then notice the artwork in front of us are all family portraits made by Tate’s classmates. “These are amazing, Tate, where’s yours?”
He walks me down the hall a few steps and nods with his head. Looking in the direction he pointed, I gasp. I don’t get a chance to respond because we are interrupted.
“Well, who do we have here? The little mute is talking now, I see?” The voice is low and menacing.
I turn slowly, placing Tate behind me and wrapping a protective arm around Sara, who is strapped to my front. At first, I see Jake and my open hand balls into a fist. When I look up, I realize it must have been his father who spoke. There is no one else in this hallway.How can that be?
“I suggest you move along and check out some of your son’s artwork, there is nothing here for you to see,” I say, hating that my confidence sounds shaky, even to my own ears.
The man takes a step toward me. “I have to disagree, Ms. Heart. Because of you, my son has a blemish on his record. That is going to reflect very poorly on my upcoming campaign,” he seethes.
“I have nothing to do with that,Senator,”I say the word like a curse. “Had your son not been bullying Tate, none of this would have happened.”
“Poor Tate, his mother left him, and what is this? Is that you in his portrait?” He tries to look around me, directing his next words to Tate. “Do you think your little nanny is going to love you when even your own mother leaves?” The man spits.
“Yeah, dummy, she isn’t your mom.” Jake chimes in.
“That is enough. Walk away, right now,” I command, louder this time.
The senator gets right in my face. “You do not call the shots around here, Ms. Heart. Understand this; it would be a real shame should Zachary be set free now, wouldn’t it? Do you know who has the power to make that happen? Me, that’s who. Before you start making demands, you had better have a handle on who has the real authority around here.”
I feel all the color drain from my face. He knows he has me spooked. Then I feel a shaking little hand grab hold of my shirt.Tate. I need to focus on Tate.Turning my back to the asshole, I lower myself to the ground.
“Tate? Did you draw me in your family picture?” I ask him, desperate to gain control of my emotions and his.
He looks from me to the retreating forms at my back.
“Look at me, Tate, just at me. Did you draw me in your family?” I try again now that Jake and his dad are out of sight.
He nods his head and rushes me. Holding him into my side, he cries.
“Lanie? Tate?” I hear Dexter’s voice, but I can’t move. Tate and I are both in shock. I can’t speak. “What the hell happened here?”
I stare up at him, but no words come.
“I drew Lanie in our family. Jake and his dad said…they said she isn’t my mom.” Tate chokes up a bit. “Daddy, who is Zachary? Why did Jake’s dad say he could get free?”
“What?” Dexter yells, breaking me out of my trance.
“Please, Dex, Don’t. Not here. Tate, is there anything else you want to see? Do you want to go out to the courtyard for cotton candy?” I ask him.
“No. Can we just go, Lanie?” My heart breaks for this little boy who had been so excited about something so simple.How can adults be so cruel?
“Yeah, we can go, buddy,” I tell him. “Do you want to grab some dinner somewhere? Anything you want, just name it.”
