Page 122 of The Right Sign

I give her a small nod.

Dare gestures to Jenny. I assume he’s making an introduction. The principal’s eyes slide to me and then tighten in barely concealed irritation. Her body language screams ‘she needs an interpreter? How cute?’.

I ignore her.

“It’s not like you to be late. Is everything okay?” I sign to Jenny.

“My car broke down and I had to get it towed.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

She hesitates. “Mr. Sullivan bought me a new car, but I don’t think I can accept that.”

My eyebrows twitch. Dare bought Jenny a new car? Why?

Because she’s my interpreter?

Something in my chest flutters.

No. Don’t you dare start again, you stupid butterflies.

Now that Jenny’s here, I can finally be more involved in the conversation and that’s all that matters.

“How is Talia doing in her classes?” I sign.

The principal paints another giant, butt-kissing smile on her face and I know immediately that whatever she’s about to say is total crap.

“I was asking her teacher.” I jut my chin at the beautiful woman with the thin, neat dreadlocks and big brown eyes.

The principal scowls.

The teacher looks surprised.

“It hasn’t been long, but Talia has had trouble concentrating in class and when she’s called on, she’s always got a snappy comment.”

The principal starts yapping again and I try not to tune out while Jenny interprets.

The teacher bites her lip and shrinks back. Despite her surrender, her eyes burn with determination. There’s something about that expression that speaks to my soul. Some kind of fight. Some kind of passion for justice.

Dare speaks, but he’s still facing the principal, so I wait for Jenny.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with us today. I’ll speak to Talia and make sure there are no more issues.”

I assume the conversation is over until Jenny interprets for Dare again.

“I’d appreciate if you could keep this quiet.”

My emotions surge.

Shock. Frustration. Annoyance.

They fly through me like over-eager adventurers on a zip line.

I guess we’re going with the ‘bury this under the rug’ option.

I don’t know why I feel so disappointed. This is Sullivan’s world. He’s used to people bowing to him, playing by his rules. He’s accustomed to living life with zero consequences.

Our fake relationship is yet another ploy for his family to dodge the ramifications of their misdeeds. But shouldn’t he be more concerned? Talia is so young, so impressionable. What kind of lesson is he teaching her by cleaning up this mess?

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