Chapter 4

4: 4

Two weeks later, I was in study hall.

The dean appeared in the classroom doorway, face grim, and beckoned to me.

Something dropped in my stomach. A bad feeling.

The moment I walked into the principal's office, I saw my father sitting on the couch.

He wore a sharp, pressed suit, his hair slicked back and shining.

Beside him sat the stepmother, dressed just as flashy, and a man I didn't know.

The second he saw me, he shot to his feet and put on his loving-father face, arms spread wide.

"Clemmie, look at you, all grown up. Come here and let your dad get a look at you."

I dodged his hands and moved to the side, waiting for him to show what he'd really come for.

He didn't even look embarrassed. He cleared his throat and slid a donation form across the desk to the principal.

"This is a little something from the two of us. Thirty thousand to the school, to upgrade the equipment."

"Clemmie's always been a difficult child. She's never understood the sacrifices we make as parents."

"I came here to take her back down South with me."

"The schools there are better, after all. Better for her future."

The stepmother chimed in, all soft and gentle.

"That's right, Clemmie. Your dad talks about you every single day. We only want what's best for you."

The stranger stood up and handed the principal a household registration book and another stack of documents.

"I'm the attorney Mr. Dickerson has retained. I'm here to assist with this matter."

"Under the law, my client has the right to choose which school his child attends."

"We are now requesting that the school immediately process the cancellation of Clementine Dickerson's enrollment."

Principal Ross, the talent-loving old man, lifted a hand and pushed the papers back.

"Clementine is one of our key students. The SATs are almost here. Transferring at a time like this..."

"Which is exactly why I came in person. At such an important moment, how could I not worry, as her father?"

The principal didn't want me to go, but there was nothing he could do. He just sighed.

"Clementine, look... he is your real father. And this is for your own good."

"Legally, he does have the right to decide."

My father turned and stepped up close, leaning to my ear, dropping his voice.

"Be a good girl and come back with me. Sign the papers on the house, and after that you can go to school anywhere you want."

"Otherwise I'll make sure you don't even sit the SATs. You don't want all those years of hard work wasted, do you?"

I stepped back, jaw clenched, staring him down.

"I will never go back with you. Not if I'm dying."

The stepmother covered her mouth, putting on a heartbroken face.

"Clemmie, Mommy knows you have your issues with me, but your father truly wants the best for you."

"Shut up. You're not my mother. Don't stand there making me sick."

"And you. Playing the loving father? The only reason you came here today is to steal the house my mom left me."

Called out in front of everyone, my father dropped the act completely.

"You little brat. Grown some wings, have you?"

"I gave you life, I raised you all these years, and this is how you talk to me?"

"Let me tell you something. You're my daughter. I want to take you, and nobody can stop me!"

And he grabbed my wrist, half-dragging, half-hauling me toward the door.

I stumbled, my heel catching the threshold, and I nearly went down.

The principal stood to block him, but the lawyer held him off with the documents.

"Mr. Dickerson is the legal guardian. He's exercising a lawful right."

Out in the hall, students were craning their heads to look in. Someone called my name.

I wrenched my arm back with everything I had, but his fingers dug into my wrist until the bone ached.

He was about to drag me out the office door.

A huge bang.

The office door was kicked open from the outside.

The fire door at the end of the hall was kicked open from the outside, the iron door slamming into the wall and rebounding.

"Let me see who thinks they're taking my girl today."