The Wife Stalker(41)
“Yes! A stomp rocket.”
Leo got on the floor with Stelli, and together they took it out of the box and set it up. Evie was exclaiming over the American Girl Crafting Kit, and I felt like my heart would burst from love as I watched. I’d been so determined that Stelli and Evie would never know the disappointment I’d had as a child, feeling unheard and uncared for. I made sure that they’d gotten every item on their list. I’d done the shopping on my own, of course. Leo was always far too busy.
There was a pause in the video and then it picked up again. In the afternoon, we had taken the kids to the Beardsley Zoo, where Stelli had been especially entranced by the tigers, but Evie’s favorites had been the adorable little prairie dogs. We sat outside eating ice cream at one of the picnic tables, and as I filmed the three of them, they stuck their tongues out and made funny faces at me.
Looking back, I would say it was one of the happiest days of my life. So different from the birthdays of my own childhood, when my mother was usually sick in bed and my father was out of town on business. Now, watching the video and seeing how happy we were together, I couldn’t wrap my head around what happened, how quickly I’d lost them. I decided I would call Janice later today. Maybe I could ask her to call Leo as my attorney and get him to let me see the children. She could explain to him how important it was for their well-being and get him to make the courts change their mind. I knew there was still a good man inside him somewhere. He’d have to see the light, wouldn’t he?
29
Piper
The incessant ringing wouldn’t stop, and when Piper finally picked up, it was with a sigh. She held her hand up and motioned for Joshua to stop the recording of her latest podcast. Now they’d have to start over again from the beginning.
“Pam . . . er. Piper Drakos.” Damn. She had to be more careful. It was one thing to mess up the last name, but she had to remember she was Piper now. Leo had been so happy when she readily acquiesced to his request that she take his last name. She didn’t care since she’d made up Reynard anyway. And she liked the idea of sharing the same last name with her husband and the children. It made them seem more like a family.
There was a sound of throat clearing. “Mrs. Drakos? Don’t worry, Stelli is fine, but we need you to come to the school. There’s been . . . an incident.”
She looked at her watch. “What sort of an incident?”
“We’d rather discuss it in person. Can you come now?”
She stifled a groan. “Yes, of course. Did you try to reach Mr. Drakos?” she asked.
“Apparently he’s in court. See you shortly?” Of course he was, she thought, her annoyance growing.
Pressing End, she rushed from the studio to her office to grab her purse. Her thoughts raced as she drove the few miles to the elementary school. This kid was going to be the death of her. High-spirited didn’t begin to cover it, though she understood that he was going through a tough time. With Joanna gone, he’d clung even tighter to Leo. Piper had tried, was still trying, to win him over, but nothing seemed to be working.
Slowing the car, she pulled into the parking lot and took a deep breath before getting out. Stelli was sitting outside of the principal’s office, where the receptionist was reading him a story. She looked up as Piper came in.
“You can go on in—Dr. Parker is waiting for you,” she said. Piper couldn’t read her tone.
“Hi, Stelli,” she said before going in, aware of the other woman’s eyes on her, but he didn’t look up.
Dr. Parker, a striking sixtyish woman with silver hair pulled loosely into a stylish chignon, rose from behind her desk and reached her hand out as soon as Piper entered.
“Thank you for coming right away. Please have a seat.”
“What’s happened?” Piper wanted to get it over with.
Dr. Parker leaned back in her chair, and appraised Piper with cool, green eyes. “I’m concerned about Stelios’s frame of mind,” she said, using his formal name. “The mother of one of his classmates is in the hospital. She just had a baby. Stelios told the little girl that her mother would probably die, and she’d never see her again.”
It felt like all the air had left her lungs. Piper opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She stared at the woman across from her for what felt like an eternity before she finally spoke. “It’s been a hard year for Stelli. I’m not sure what to say.”
Dr. Parker raised an eyebrow. “Well, what I would hope you would say is that you’ll have him speak to someone. Clearly, he is very confused about what happened with his mother and still needs closure.”
Piper saw a good opportunity. “I completely agree with you, Dr. Parker. He has had some anger issues at home, and you’re right—he is confused. His father and I have talked about getting him help, but Mr. Drakos thinks it may resolve by itself if given time.”
“I’m very encouraged by your concern and desire to get some help for Stelios. Perhaps if I had a word with Mr. Drakos, it might help to get the ball rolling.”
Piper gave her a grateful smile, seeing she had made an ally. “Yes, I think that would be extremely helpful. I don’t know if you’re aware, but my center has a specialist in grief recovery.”
The principal’s stern demeanor had softened, and she looked at Piper with renewed interest. “No, I wasn’t aware of that. Stelios is fortunate to have you in his life. I’ll send a note to your husband urging him to take your advice.”