Daniel reached to open the door for her and stepped back as a man entered from the other side, the school police officer at his side. “Excuse me.”

Annika froze, her pulse quickened and her back stiffened. It was Mitch’s father. She hadn’t seen him since the first day of school when he had insulted her. All of her interactions since then had been with Mitch’s mother, whose only interest had been getting help for her son; who helped him seemed irrelevant to her.

He nodded at Annika, his lips pressed together.

Daniel drew himself to his full height, stepping closer to Annika, even as he made room for Mitch’s father and the officer to enter.

“Ms. Mehta.” Mitch’s father finally addressed her.

“Mr. Evans.” Annika kept her voice firm yet calm.

Mitch’s father flicked his gaze to Daniel and back to Annika. “I was hoping to have a word with you, about Mitch.”

“Go right ahead.” Annika did not move. Daniel tensed next to her.

“Well...” Mr. Evans glanced at Daniel and the officer, then turned his gaze to Annika. “I just wanted to...thank you. For everything you did for my Mitch.”

Annika couldn’t speak. Daniel and the officer were looking at each other, baffled, and the man simply stood there, looking abashed. Silence echoed in the hallway.

Annika finally managed to find her voice. “Well, Mr. Evans, it was my pleasure. Mitch is a wonderful child.”

“He has truly enjoyed being in your class.”

“Despite your best efforts, I assume.” Annika raised her chin.

Mr. Evans cleared his throat. “Well, now. That’s not necessary—”

Annika narrowed her eyes, her stomach jumping. She felt emboldened. This man was thanking her for doing her job, because his son had benefited. Not because he realized that her abilities had nothing to do with the color of her skin. He certainly had not been an active participant. “Actually, it is necessary.” She seethed, but kept her voice measured. “It’s very necessary, since you saw fit to insult me on my first day on the job, simply based on the color of my skin. And that is anything but okay.”

Daniel leaned even closer to her, tension vibrating from him.

“Well, now, what do you expect?”

Annika threw her shoulders back and took a step closer to Mr. Evans. “I expect to be treated with the respect and consideration afforded to any person who teaches your child. Regardless of whether I exceeded your personal expectations of what I should or should not be doing.”

Mr. Evans narrowed his eyes. “Now, listen here. I came here to thank you for helping out my son—”

“And I appreciate that. You are more than welcome. I was simply doing my job. It’s a pleasure having him in my classroom.” With that, Annika dismissed him with a nod. “You have a nice weekend, now.”