“What do you need to talk to us about, Mr. Pierce?” Mr. Paulson asked politely.
“I want my daughter removed from this class,” he said.
Mrs. Goodfellow’s face dropped. “What’s wrong? I didn’t know she was upset. Is it something we can fix? I really enjoy having her in my class. She’s a bright and funny girl and goes out of her way to help with the shyer students.”
He felt bad that she'd gotten the wrong impression. “Oh, it’s nothing about you, Mrs. Goodfellow. She adores you and my wife thinks you’re the best, but as long as Stephanie is an aide in that class my child won't be.”
Mrs. Goodfellow heaved a sigh. “I should have known she would be the cause of this. I’m really sorry, Mr. Pierce. I told her to stop harassing your daughter about you. I wrote her up several times and informed Mr. Paulson.”
He nodded. “Yes, I know about those, I’m referring to her calling my wife a whore and my sons bastards.”
She was at a loss for words, but Mr. Paulson wasn’t. “She said what?” he asked through clenched teeth.
“Apparently Stephanie has taken issue with my family situation and has decided to use her sister Mary to confer her opinion about my wife and children,” Edward said evenly.
“I am so sorry about this, Mr. Pierce. You have to know that we do not condone this type of behavior or language,” Mr. Paulson explained.
“That’s the only reason I’m not pulling my daughter out of this school. I am adamant about getting her away from Stephanie and her influence.”
“I don’t think it’s fair that Elizabeth be punished. She has a great deal of friends in the class. She’s such a good girl. I think what needs to happen is Stephanie should be switched with someone else,” Mrs. Goodfellow suggested.
“I don’t think so,” Mr. Paulson said sternly. “What is going to happen is she is leaving the property this minute. I will not tolerate this type of behavior from any adult. I don’t care if she is infatuated with you, Mr. Pierce, but I expect to act appropriately around the children,” he said, walking into the room without waiting for a response.
Mrs. Goodfellow squeezed his hand reassuringly. “I really am sorry, Edward.”
“That’s fine. I just want my daughter to be happy.”
“I know. You’re a good father, Edward.”
“Thank you,” he said softly. Those words meant a great deal to him.
Mr. Paulson stepped out into the hall with Stephanie. Mrs. Goodfellow shot the girl a scowl before entering the room to watch the children.
Stephanie looked up at Edward and beamed completely ignoring Mr. Paulson. The girl was an idiot. “I saw your last movie, Edward. You were really good,” she said, biting her lip suggestively.
Edward shook his head in disgust and walked past her into the classroom. Elizabeth jumped to her feet and ran to him. “I have to go, squirt. I’ll see you later!” He picked her up and gave her a bear hug and kiss.
“Bye, Daddy!” she said, breaking free from him and running happily back to the circle. He left the classroom and found Stephanie in the hallway crying.
“That bitch had me fired? Are you kidding me?!” She stomped her foot.
“Lower your tone and watch your mouth or you’ll find yourself forcibly removed,” Mr. Paulson said, gesturing to two armed security officers who were now standing in the hallway.
She looked at Edward and rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe that bitch has you pu**y whipped.”
“That’s it! Get her out of my sight!” Mr. Paulson said, turning his back on her and storming down the hall.
Edward watched as they dragged Stephanie out of building. He left by a different exit. There was nothing like a pissed off female fan to do something stupid. He was kicking himself for not waiting for Bret to come with him this morning.
Thankfully she wasn’t waiting for him. Several voice mails on his cell phone however were. He went through them, one from Dana telling him he sounded sexy on the radio, two from Amy flipping out and demanding to know why he didn’t give her a head’s up, one from Lucas informing him that it sounded like Dana was faking it, his parents called upset, and to top it off Eric called telling him he was stopping by the house this afternoon to go over some “things” with them.
He called back his wife. Dana's happiness was the most important thing to him. If she was upset his day would be ruined, not because she would act like a bitch, far from it. If she was happy he was happy and the same could be said if she was sad.
“Hey, handsome!” she said sweetly.
“Hey, beautiful, I just got your message.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to call back I just wanted to tell you that you sounded very sexy.”
“Hmm, sexy, interesting.”
“How did it go at school?” she asked, trying to change the subject before this turned into phone sex, which did happen on occasion with them.
“They fired her. She flipped out. Good times,” he said dryly.
“I would say I’m sorry, but I’m not. She shouldn’t be around children if she’s using a six year old girl to air her grievances,” Dana said. “No, Cole, Daddy has a busy day. No, I will not ask him.”
“What does he want to know?” Edward asked.
“He wants to know if you can come get him for some man time,” she said.
“I don’t mind some company. Is Brett there?”
“Yup. Oh, before I forget to tell you, Eric’s coming by later. He wants to talk to both of us. I guess we both know what about,” she said casually.
“I got a message from him as well. That’s fine. What time am I needed there?”
“One, I’ll make us a late lunch,” she said.
“Homemade macaroni and cheese?” he suggested eagerly.
He could picture her rolling her eyes. “You’re spoiled.”
“Yes, I am. Have Cole ready in ten minutes, please. I’m on my way now.”
“Okay, love you, baby,” Dana said.
“Not as much as I love you.”
Fifteen minutes later he pulled into their driveway. He groaned when he saw Deana's car in the driveway. Amy wasn't here and he wanted to avoid her until she calmed down. There was another car he didn’t recognize.
He jogged up the walkway and unlocked the door. “Daddy’s here!” Cole screamed, barreling towards him. He caught his son as he jumped up.
“You ready, buddy?”