Highlander Ever After

Back to School

Anna

Glancing at the phone I saw a text from Jer about a road trip and then another from the school that Caleb would be attending. Tomorrow was his first day.

I couldn’t believe he would be going to P1. I still had to wrap my mind around how the school system works. I’m used to saying Preschool, and Kindergarten, things like that.

The phone rang and I frowned at the number.

“Hello?”

“Is this Mrs. Anna Nikolaev?” The woman sounded like she was pinching her nose and the sound pierced my ears.

“Yes, who is this?”

“This is Mrs. Claire Dewatt, I am one of the assistant teachers. I would like to extend an invitation to a meeting tonight. I am asking all the parents of new students to come to the school and get to know the teachers and each other.”

“I would appreciate meeting the parents of Caleb Nikolaev. If you and your husband could make it.”

“Alexei is no longer with us. It was stated in Caleb’s file that his father had passed and that it was recent. Miss. Sutton and the counselor made a note of it and they were going to keep an eye on him.” There was the sound of a throat clearing and papers being shuffled on the other end of the phone.

“OH, so it says. Well, it seems a little odd that this particular child would get such special treatment. There have been other children who have lost a parent or loved one and have not…oh he is one of THOSE children.” The way she said THOSE I could practically see the sneer on her face and I put the phone on speaker.

“Excuse me? What the hell does that mean?” I don’t think I wanted to go to this meeting tonight because if this sow was there, I am sure I would punch her in the nose.

“There is no need to be vulgar, Mrs. Nikolaev. I hope Caleb is not going to be a problem because of this.” I put my hands on my hips and glared at the phone. What was this woman getting at? How dare she insult a little boy?

Oh, I was ready to throw down.

“You’re the one being vague and insulting a little boy who has had a bad start to his life. Are you telling me that you have a problem with adopted children? Or just those who have lost their father?” My door opened and my jaw dropped.

Cassius and Sully walked in and they were gawking at me as I stood there in my bra and panties arguing with a pretentious cow over the phone.

“You are jumping to conclusions. You Americans are all the same. I was just saying that there was no need for Caleb to have special attention.” I ground my teeth and was ready to march down to the school and beat this woman.

“I am not! YOU’RE THE ONE BEING ALL SNOBBY AND IMPLYING THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY SON JUST BECAUSE OF HIS START IN LIFE!” I was now screaming at the phone and Jer poked his head in the room.

“What’s going on here?”

“If you continue acting like this Mrs. Nikolaev, I am going to have you banned from school and I think that it might be better that you find another school for young Caleb. We are a very prestigious private academy and it might not…” I didn’t get to hear the rest of what she said because I hauled off and threw my phone against the wall.

I was breathing heavily and ready for a fight. Jer was hiding behind Cassius and Sully who looked like they wanted to be anywhere but here.

“YOU THREE IN HERE NOW AND CLOSE THAT DAMN DOOR…NO WAIT GET BABA I NEED HER HERE TOO.” Jer scurried off while I paced around my bedroom.

“Anna, as much as I like seeing you half-naked, you’re distracting us and unless you want me to throw you on that bed and let Cassius and I tag team you while Jer and Baba watch, I suggest you put on some clothes.” Both men were looking everywhere but at me.

“Oh, I do love a good show. I don’t think I would like that, since I am related to you Cass. I could maybe give Anna some pointers.”

“Eww no Baba just no! Anna put your cat away!” I flipped Jer off and grabbed my hoodie and slipped it on. I was half dressed.

“I am assuming we are here to discuss the b***h on the phone that was saying mean things about Caleb?” Jer narrowed his eyes and Baba stood up and started cursing in Russian.

“Oh, yeah we came in on the tail end of that conversation.” I was really going to have to become more fluent in Russian.

“Yeah, whatever she said. Apparently, there is some meet and greet with the teacher and parents of students tonight. That heifer pretty much trash-talked our sweet boy and said he wasn’t good enough for their school. Now Miss Sutton is no problem but this wench. Oh, I am sure you four wouldn’t mind putting on a show, right?” Jer grinned evilly and Baba was nodding.

“This woman and anyone else who thinks that Caleb is not worthy of their school will KNOW who they are messing with.” I pounded my fist into my hand and Cassius raised his hand like a school kid.

“This isn’t going to cause issues for Caleb, is it?” He had a point and my little moment of retribution was diffused, I couldn’t have him known as the kid with the dead father and crazy bitchy mother.

There was a soft knock on the door and we all looked to see Caleb standing there with Angus sitting by him.

“Momma, is there a problem with my school? If there is I can find a new one.” We all looked at one another and Baba shook her head.

“No, my munchkin, just some mean people talking bad about your mommy and daddy.” Caleb made a little fist and he pouted and stared at me.

“Mommy you do whatever you have to do to teach those people a lesson and I will be proud of you no matter what.” He nodded and stalked off toward his room. I sniffled and never have been prouder of the kid.

“Well you heard the kid so what’s the plan.” Cassius still looked apprehensive but Baba was practically bouncing on her heels with anticipation.

“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to Cass?” He sighed and ran a hand through his hair and leaned on his elbows.

“If the kid is fine with it then I suppose I am as well.” Jer clapped him on the back and we started hatching out a plan to show these people just who they are messing with.