“No, I didn’t. You whine too much.”
“Uh oh. Here we are again in the Muerto is always right bubble. Look at the damn news vans. You’d think we had a terrorist attack yesterday, instead of a statement made by common folk in defense of the flag.”
Nick smiled, watching the parents stream by with their kids, looking up at the flag still waving proudly in the air for another day, but ignoring the media vultures completely. He saw Jim Amos go by with a glance at the flag, and a wave off to the press with his sons. “I see a few of my former compatriots doing exactly the right thing, ignoring the media. You remain here with Deke. Jean and I will thread our way through directly to school. Ready, Dagger?”
“I’m ready. I missed all the adult fun yesterday.”
“No fun today either, kid. We’re going to walk right by these clowns. No offense, Payaso.”
“None taken.”
Nick walked toward the school, holding Jean’s hand. “I know you don’t like me playing the overprotective parent as if you were a kindergartner, but I don’t want to lose sight of you in this crowd, Dagger.”
“It’s okay. They look scarier close like this.”
“The media are born bullies. It’s a prerequisite for being a reporter. If you are a wildly annoying, arrogant jerk with no scruples, being a journalist seems like a wonderful career choice. It keeps them off the streets, but not out of rehab.”
Jean giggled. As they passed the flag pole, Nick stopped and looked up at the only symbol he truly respected without exception. Jean followed his example.
“There he is! That is the man who attacked me!”
Recognizing the voice, Nick spun toward it, his right arm sweeping Jean behind him. Habib Rashidi was striding toward him with two other men in suits, who could pass for his brothers. The media, smelling blood in the water, circled the feeding area. Nick made a stopping gesture with his hand.
“That’s close enough! Allow me to take my Daughter into school, and you can spew whatever nonsense you want at me when I come out.”
“You will answer for what you did now!” In spite of his words, Rashidi slowed to a stop.
“No, I won’t, but if you force the issue with your two buddies, I will put you all in the hospital.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No, butthead, I’m giving you the only logical alternative to getting hurt, badly: stay away from me until I take Jean in to school.” Then, a growl sounded from next to him. Deke took a position near Nick, ready to launch, with Gus’s intimidating figure at his side.
“That is good advice,” Gus told them. “Deke doesn’t like it when he senses danger to Jean. Anyone moving toward her will not enjoy the consequences.”
As if to add an exclamation point to Gus’s remark, Deke voiced a short violent bark and snarl with all his teeth showing, jutting ahead as if eager to begin. That startled the media and Rashidi’s crew back a few steps.
“Thanks,” Nick said. “I’ll be out in a few minutes, Gus.”
Gus smiled. “Deke and I will be here. Have a good day, Jean.”
“I will, Uncle Gus.” Jean hugged Deke, and led the way inside the school. “Were those guys going to beat you up right in front of the cameras and reporters?”
“Nope. They were about to get a lesson in actions have consequences. Luckily, Gus and Deke timed their arrival perfectly. If I had seen Rashidi, I would have asked Gus to bring Deke with us. I don’t like to upset Deke. He doesn’t like bad mouthing crowds, because he senses their mood. Don’t worry, I won’t let Deke get a piece of anyone. Even in self-defense, the stupid people in authority would insist on putting him to sleep. That ain’t happenin’ to my beer buddy.”
“See that boy talking to Ms. Kader,” Jean whispered, retreating a step. “His name’s Tyson Salvatore. His family moved here from Washington D.C. He’s in my class. His folks call him Sonny. I think he likes me.”
A tall for his age, thin, dark haired boy spotted Jean. He waved at her. Nick grinned as the boy blushed when Jean waved back. “Yep. I think you’re right.”
“Are you okay, Jean? I was telling Ms. Kader that you and your Dad were stopped outside by the flagpole.”
“I’m good,” Jean said. “Sonny, this is my Dad, Nick.”
Nick shook hands with the boy, noting his firm grip. “I’m glad to meet you, Sonny.”
“Same here, Sir.”
“We better get my class started, or I will be in trouble,” Dimah Kader said. “Nice seeing you, Nick.”
“I remember the half day, Jean. Bye, Dimah.” Nick watched them enter the classroom, smiling as Jean playfully bumped Sonny into his desk. Oh boy, another detail of life I hadn’t given a thought to.
Chapter Six
Ill Conceived Plans