Page 18 of Protecting Addison
MacGyver felt way out of his element, but he forged ahead. “So Chrys is picking on you.”
Ellory turned away from the tire and sat back on her heels. “Yeah. And she’s gotten Hilary, Mariah, and Nikki to do it too. Nikki and I used to be friends in elementary school, but now she does whatever Chrys tells her to. It’s as if all the good times we had mean nothing. And she told them some of the stuff I go through because of my Crohn’s, so now whenever I walk by, they make fart noises and pretend that I stink.”
MacGyver’s hands curled into fists. Kids could be horrible to each other. Yes, some people insisted it was just part of growing up, but he disagreed.
“I don’t know what to do to make them stop,” Ellory said, looking down at her hands. “I know stuff about Nikki. About her parents’ divorce. She told me about it when we were still friends. I’ve thought about getting even, telling everyone all about how her mom worked at a strip club and her dad was screwing around with his secretary. But that feels…mean.”
“She’s being mean toyou,” MacGyver said as nonchalantly as he could.
Ellory looked up at him. “I know. But Mom has always said to take the high road. That stooping to someone else’s level of meanness makes me just as bad as them.”
MacGyver’s heart warmed. He already thought Addison was amazing, but her daughter’s words just solidified that a little more. “She’s right. So what else could you do? Let’s brainstorm here. Could you go to a teacher or principal?”
Ellory snorted. “And be a snitch? That would make it worse.”
“Try to talk to Nikki and let her know how much she’s hurting your feelings?”
Ellory shrugged. “Maybe. But I think she’s probably enjoying being part of the popular crowd too much to change.”
“Change schools? Homeschool? Beat up this Chrys person? Get a boyfriend, someone who’s big and tall and can protect you? Or a girlfriend to do the same? Surround yourself with your other friends? Avoid them?” MacGyver threw out as many suggestions as he could. Honestly, he wasn’t sure what was the right thing to do in this situation, and he struggled to find a way to help this little girl on the cusp of womanhood.
“Beating Chrysanthemum up would feel amazing,” Ellory murmured.
“Wait, wait, wait…Chrys’s full name is Chrysanthemum? Seriously? And she’s making fun ofyou?” MacGyver asked incredulously.
Ellory giggled. “Right?”
“Seriously, what were her parents thinking?”
“Ricky?”
“Yeah, hon?”
“Next week we have Career Day at school. I heard my homeroom teacher talking with the gym teacher about how they were having a hard time coming up with new and interesting people to come in and talk to the students. Do you think…would you…You probably don’t have time and it’s stupid, but?—”
“Yes.”
“Yes?” Ellory asked.
“If you’re asking if I’d be willing to come in and talk to your classmates about being in the Navy, about being a SEAL, the answer is yes. And not only that, but I can get the rest of my team to come in as well.”
“Really?”
“Really. And if this Chrysanthemum chick dares to even look at you sideways, I’ll make sure she knows that would be averybad choice on her part.”
“Thank you!” Ellory said with more enthusiasm than she’d shown all night. She jumped to her feet and hugged MacGyver hard. “This is gonna be great! Chrys was bragging all about her cousin who worked on a submarine and how amazing he was, but I’ve seen his picture. He’s short, fat, and kind of ugly. You and your friends are hot, and everyone is gonna besojealous that I have a DILF!”
“A what?”
“Oh, um…never mind. Tomorrow, I’ll talk to my homeroom teacher and see if she thinks it would work. I hope it does! And I’ll let you know what time they’d want you there and everything. I don’t think you’ll be allowed to bring any of your guns or knives though.”
“Wasn’t planning on it,” MacGyver said with a small smile.
“Okay. Oh, I can’twaitto rub this is Chrys’s face! And Hilary, Mariah, and Nikki’s too. I’m gonna text Sara and let her know my stepdad and his SEAL friends will be coming!” The girl spun around and headed for the house. She already had her phone in her hand, her fingers flying over the screen.
Looking at the carnage on the driveway, MacGyver could only snort-laugh. Looked like it would be up to him to take the spare tire off Addison’s car and put things back to rights.
He’d just taken the spare off and was picking up the regular tire when Addison walked out of the house.
