“In the future, if Emmy needs one of us to come to her again, call me first.”
“Of course,” Pam agreed. “We don’t like to insert ourselves in people’s personal lives, but it is clear that Emmy needs some stability in her home life. She’s falling behind in school. She’s got a long way to go and starting off like this . . . arriving late, not doing assignments, acting out in class . . . Well, it will only make things harder in the future.”
In other words, he needed to turn this around now before it became a hard habit to break.
“I appreciate how you’ve handled this and that you’ve provided some further insight into what is going on with Emmy on the days her mother has custody of her. If you wouldn’t mind putting together the information about how many times she’s been late to school and picked up late after school so I can provide that to my attorney, I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course, the school records are for your information to use as you see fit.” Principal Fields led them back up to the office. “They will also be provided to DPHHS.”
Meaning they would make the call to the authorities now.
“We appreciate your willingness to work with us to try to make Emmy’s school experience a good one.”
“I’m trying. And while DPHHS will do their thing, more than likely Steph will get an attorney to make this go away. My hope is that after today she’ll make more effort to have Emmy here on time and to get her after school by five. Please let me know if this pattern continues, so I can address it.” He had a sudden thought. “If Emmy isn’t picked up or something else comes up, can I put my girlfriend’s name down as an emergency contact? She works close by and could get to Emmy much faster than me if I’m not in town.”
They walked into the office lobby.
Principal Fields nodded. “Of course we can add her.” He went around the desk to the computer. “I have Emmy’s information here. So we’ll add Trinity. What’s the last name?”
“McGrath.” Jon gave them her cell phone number as well as the number to her shop. Just in case.
Principal Fields typed it all in. “There we go. All finished. I’ve also made a note in the file that you are the primary contact, so you will be called first if any issues arise such as this, or if she becomes ill.”
“Great. That eases my mind.”
Pam touched his arm. “Why don’t you collect Emmy? I’m sure she’s worried about what we’ve talked about and what happens next.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll have a talk with her.” Because now strangers were going to step in and make decisions for Emmy’s sake even if he didn’t agree with them. Steph had tied his hands today. He couldn’t stop the school from reporting. He couldn’t stop DPHHS from taking Emmy from both of them if that’s what they thought was best.
He didn’t think it would come to that, but it was his greatest fear.
He needed to call his lawyer ASAP to get ahead of this, but right now, his daughter needed him.
He went to the little room off the main lobby and found Emmy sitting on Trinity’s lap facing her. She’d released Trinity from the death grip she had on her when he left.
“You’re not ugly, sweetheart,” Trinity assured her.
Emmy stared down at Trinity’s lap and played with the hem of her Almost Homemade tee. “Do you really think they can fix it?”
“Yes. In fact, I think it would be a great idea for your dad to take a before and after picture. That way you can see how great it looks when it’s all done.”
Jon pulled out his phone, but hesitated to hold it up when Trinity brushed her hand up Emmy’s arm, pushing her sleeve up to reveal the red marks and bruises on Emmy’s biceps.
“Turn and look at Daddy so he can take the picture,” Trinity coaxed, but her eyes held his and were filled with concern.
He understood why when Emmy’s gaze met his and he saw the red mark right under her eye. He hadn’t noticed it before because she’d been crying so hard her whole face had been red.
Jon zoomed in so the marks on her were clear in the photo.
Emmy would never know this was why Trinity wanted him to take the picture. He actually took several just to be sure he documented the marks Steph put on her. She had to have grabbed Emmy’s arm really hard to leave imprints of her fingers digging into his daughter’s skinny little arm.
He had no idea how she’d hurt her eye, so he simply asked. “Hey, sweet girl, what happened to your eye here?” He pointed to the small but distinctive hurt. She’d probably have a little black eye tomorrow.
“Mama shook me and I banged my face on the table.”
Trinity’s eyes glassed over.
He had a hard time finding his voice. “I see. Does it hurt?”
“Yeah.” She buried her face in Trinity’s chest.
Trinity hugged her. “We’ll put some ice on it later.” She leaned back and gave Emmy as bright a smile as she could considering the distress she saw in her eyes. “Our appointment is in ten minutes. Let’s get your stuff and head over to the salon.”
Emmy glanced up at him. “Trinity said I can get my nails painted, too. And a pedi. That means my toes.”
Grateful didn’t begin to describe how he felt toward Trinity right now. Emmy had been so distraught when he arrived she’d nearly choked him to death, but now she smiled with excitement about getting her nails done. “Sounds like you get the full beauty treatment.”
“She said it’s her treat. So do I get a candy, too?”
Trinity’s good heart and generosity always touched him.
“When we get home, you can have two candies out of the treat jar.” Another thing Trinity had brought over. Because she liked chocolate and so did Emmy. Plus it was a way to reward Emmy for her chores, eating her veggies, and being a good girl.
“Let’s get going.” Trinity stood with Emmy in her arms.
Emmy stared at the floor. “Am I in trouble for being bad with Mama?”
“No. Not one bit. Your mom got angry and did something bad to you. I asked her to apologize. I hope she will because you deserve an apology. But you are not in trouble. Okay?” He brushed his hand over her head.
“Okay.”
They walked out of the room.
Jon took Emmy’s backpack from Pam. “Thank you.”
“No problem. We’ll see you tomorrow, Emmy. I can’t wait to see your new haircut. I bet it’s going to look really pretty.”
Pam held his gaze. “Expect a visit from someone today.”
Jon nodded.
Emmy managed a small smile for Pam before they walked out of the office and headed for his car.
Jon put his hand at Trinity’s back and pulled her close to his side. “Thanks for coming with me.”
“Absolutely. I’m looking forward to my mani-pedi, too.”
Emmy reached over Trinity’s shoulder and pulled her long ponytail close. “Are you going to get a haircut, too?”
“Do you think I should?”
Emmy shook her head. “It’s too pretty to cut.”
Trinity brushed her nose against Emmy’s. “Yours is going to be way prettier. You’ll see.”