Page 45 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 1

Adam’s first reaction is of surprise, but he seems to catch on quickly. Troy wishes he did.

Adam answers with a simple, “I understand. Let me get the girls home and then I’ll meet you at the community center.”

Troy butts in. “What? What’s going on?”

Brent is nice enough to humor him, considering he’s not an official member of the community. “We have strict rules in our co-op. Were Hallie a minor, there would be nothing to discuss. As a twenty-three-year-old niece, things are not that cut and dried. As an adult, she’ll need to apply to Eagle’s Pass and participate in the co-op if she wants to live here.”

The room breaks out into multiple conversations until Troy injects and once again, everyone stops talking. “With all due respect, I think there are some extenuating circumstances. Not to mention, Christmas is less than two weeks away. I’d think you could defer any discussion on this point until after the holidays. Can’t you let Hallie and her family focus on their reunion and try to figure out what she wants to do before you make any decisions? She may decide she doesn’t want to stay in Eagle’s Pass, after all.”

Aunt Gina gasps at that suggestion, clearly unhappy with the possibility Hallie may choose not to live with her family.

Brent’s eyes are intense as he sizes Troy up. Finally breaking into a grin, he agrees with Troy’s plan. “You’re right, Troy. There’s no rush. We’ll put this matter on our January agenda. That’s about three weeks from now. Would that be better?”

For some curious reason, Brent’s looking to Troy for his approval, not the Newberrys. “I think that’s more than fair.” Glancing to Hallie, he can see relief on her face.

“Great. Well Char, let’s get our little munchkin packed up and ready to go home. Adam, you’ll of course go through the co-op rules with your houseguest, right?“

Adam has approached his friend to shake his hand. “You know I will, Brent and… well.. Thank you. This means a lot to Gina and me to give us time to get Hallie settled.”

Brent smiles. “We’re a family here, Adam. Of course we’ll give Hallie some time to get settled. Just make sure she understands what being a guest in Eagle’s Pass entails before the weekend is over.”

Troy moves to talk with Hallie, but he’s too late. She’s being whisked away by her aunt across the room to confer with Dr. Devon.

Traci notices him standing on the sidelines and comes to talk. “Hey. You did good.”

“Yeah. Well, I just want to give the kid some time to get it together, you know?”

“I do. That’s why she’s gonna begin meeting with me a couple times a week starting Monday.”

Troy looks down at his sister. “That’s great, Trace. I can tell she really likes you. I think you’re going to be able to help her.”

“Thanks, but I can tell I’m not the only one she likes.”

Troy thinks he knows where this is going. “Oh no you don’t. Don’t look at me like that. You’re forgetting she burst in here because she thought I was the devil incarnate, here to beat you to death.”

“Yeah, well I set her straight on that this morning.”

Troy hates how much that pleases him. “Thanks, sis. I appreciate you sticking up for me, even though sometimes I can be a pain in the ass.”

“You can say that again… literally.”

While Troy and Traci were bantering, Gina and Adam have bundled their niece up in a heavy blanket and are shooing her out the door to their waiting SUV. At the last minute, Hallie looks back to connect her green eyes with his and then she’s gone. Thirty minutes ago, he would have done anything for some peace and quiet around here. Now, Troy hates how empty Traci’s house feels.

Chapter Six

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come in with you, honey?” It’s only the fifth time Aunt Gina has asked since breakfast.

Hallie takes a deep breath, trying to keep the impatience out of her reply. “Thanks for the offer, Aunt Gina, but really, I think it’s best that I go in by myself.” Moving quickly, Hallie opens the door to the SUV and is standing in Traci’s driveway, ready to close the door, quick before Aunt Gina could insist on coming in.

“Well, okay. What time would you like me to pick you up?”

Hallie honestly didn’t know. “How about I call you when I’m done. I have your cell number and my phone is charged.”

Gina doesn’t look happy, but she still plasters an indulgent smile on her face. “Sure, honey. I’ll just wait for your call. Have a good time, okay?”

Hallie can’t help but chuckle. “Well, considering I’m going to get my head shrunk, I’m not sure about how much fun I’m gonna have.”

“Now, Hallie. Don’t say rude things like that about Traci. She’s a wonderful lady and therapist. You need to let her help you.”

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