“Yeah. And the next thing I know, here comes Maureen Upchuck like a charging elephant, accusing me of being gay!”

“You are gay.”

“It’s got nothing to do with my teaching abilities. Am I not a stellar teacher?”

“The best in the West.”

“Besides, she’s the biggest, fattest Lickalottapuss around.”

“She’s a what?”

Franny rolled his eyes. “You’re so out of touch, Anne Marie. What do you call a lesbian dinosaur? A Lick-a-lotta-puss.”

“Oh my God!” Anne put her hands over her face to hide her flaming blush.

Franny smiled his eyes into crescents above his apple cheeks. “Made you laugh!”

Anne shook her head, wiping the tears from her eyes. “You’re something else, Francis. What would I do without you?”

“Well, you’d be really boring.”

“Thanks.”

“It’s all right. I’m happy to be your spirit guide into modern pop culture.”

“I don’t know if ‘culture’ is the right word.”

“Anyway, she got me in trouble. She’s a bitter, vindictive bitch. She blames all normal-size people for her being as big as the freaking Good-year blimp,” he said. “Like she doesn’t buy two dozen doughnuts and a bucket of fried chicken every time she goes into Ralph’s. I’ve seen her.”

“Well, she’s plenty mad at me,” Anne said. “I jumped the chain of command.”

“You did what was best for Haley.”

“She doesn’t see it that way. Neither does Milo Bordain. She had a total meltdown. I do feel bad about that.”

“Fuck ’em,” Franny said. “What does Vince think about it?”

“He didn’t want me to do it, but he backed me up.”

“He’s just trying to protect you, sweetheart.”

“I know.”

On the bed, Haley began to stir and whimper. Anne got up and went to her, bending over and brushing the girl’s damp hair back from her face.

“You’re all right, sweetie,” she said quietly.

Haley opened her bloodred eyes and stared up at Anne.

Anne waited for the tears to come, but there were none.

“Do you remember me?”

The swollen, bruised little rosebud mouth pursed for a moment as she tried to decide whether she would answer or not. Anne offered her a sip of water through a straw. She knew from her own experience how her throat had felt after being choked.

Haley sat up and took the drink.

“Do you remember me from last night, honey?” Anne asked again.

The child nodded. “You’re the mommy,” she said in a scratchy little voice.

“My name is Anne. I’m here to help you and make sure you’re all right.”

She took that in and thought about it.

“Hi, Haley,” Franny said softly, joining Anne at the bedside.

Haley studied him for a moment. “Are you the daddy?”

“No, sweetheart. I’m Mr. Franny. Do you remember? You came to my classroom at the school for the Halloween party.”