went. As I decorated for Christmas, I smiled. I was really going to do the house up right! I was waiting for my bodyguard to show up so we could get more white lights, but he’d called and said he would be late.
I’ll just go get the rest of the Christmas boxes from the basement.
The phone rang. I looked at my watch. It was ten a.m.
I lifted the receiver. “Hello.”
“Hello, is this Mrs. Reed?”
“Yes, it is. Can I help you?”
“Hello, Mrs. Reed, this is Principal Hoover from Joey’s school. I need to inform you that Joey and a classmate got into a fist fight on the playground.”
“What? Is Joey okay? What about the other little boy?”
“Actually both seemed to have done harm to the other. Joey was hit in the eye and his nose is bleeding. He’s with a school nurse right now. But I need you to come up to the school immediately. Joey and the little boy whom he got into a fight with are both going to be suspended.”
“Suspended?”
“Yes, ma’am. We have zero tolerance for fighting at this school.”
“I understand. I am on my way.”
“See you then, Mrs. Reed.”
Fuck!
I wasn’t surprised by this news. I was hoping Joey would have a new start at this school. Eric and I had a long talk with him about this.
Well crap!
I grabbed my purse off the table and headed for the CRV. I knew Roman would be pissed about me leaving without my bodyguard, but I had no choice.
I grabbed my phone and texted Roman. The school called and Joey got into a fist fight. I have to run up to the school immediately. Joey is going to be suspended. The morning bodyguard has not shown up yet, so I will have to go without one. Don’t worry. I will be fine. Love you!
I waited a minute for a reply but didn’t receive one. Roman was probably working and didn’t hear his phone. Well, I hoped I would be back home with Joey before he even noticed the text. I didn’t want to make him worry.
I ran outside and noticed that it started to rain. Great. I jumped into my vehicle, immediately locking my doors. I might have had to leave without a bodyguard, but I wasn’t stupid. I would be careful. I drove down the driveway and hit the remote for the gate where it could open; I drove through and closed it behind me.
After making sure it was closed, I turned onto the highway and drove toward Joey’s school. After one mile, I noticed that the red light on my gas tank was on. I would have to stop. I had never been one to take a chance on running out of gas. There was a gas station half a mile up the road. I should be safe in a public place.
I turned into the station and pumped my gas. Once I finished, I waited for my receipt to come out. It didn’t.
Crap.
I was going to have to run in to get my receipt. I kept a budget on my computer of all my expenses. I got used to it when I was a single mom and old habits were difficult to change. Oh well, I was thirsty anyways, so might as well grab a Coke. I ran inside and grabbed a drink and my receipt. I unlocked the vehicle, jumped in, and immediately locked the doors and ran my hands over my rain-soaked face. Okay, off to the school. I opened my Coke and took a big sip of it, and screwed back on the cap. I started the vehicle and drove out of the station. I had three miles to go until I reached Joey’s school.
I grabbed my phone out of my purse to see if Roman had texted me back. He hadn’t, which was fine. I put the phone between my thighs and when I glanced in my rear-view mirror, I saw a man, wearing a mask, sit up in the backseat. I screamed. Even though the man was wearing a mask, I knew who it was. Andrew. He was wearing one of the white plastic masks from Jason’s collection.
I wasn't scared. I was pissed. I figured out that I wasn't scared because Joey or Roman weren’t here. They were safe. Andrew couldn’t hurt them, only me, and for some reason, that made me feel brave.
“Hello, Beth, nice to see you again.” Andrew purred at me.
“Wish I could say the same thing, fucker! What the