“Young lady, you are in big trouble! “ said Principal Hume.

  Mr Pliney’s follow up was, “I’m disappointed, May-fee. You’re a bright girl. Too bright to be involved with drugs. “

  “What drugs? “ May-fee asked, perplexed. There were a great deal of whispers being exchanged by the other students.

  “Don’t play dumb, Miss Ellis,” the Principal said, pointing at something in her locker.

  May-fee got closer to look. There was a bent spoon, a book of matches, and a syringe. “That’s not mine. “

  “Don’t make it worse by lying,” the Principal warned. “Come with me. “

  The students commented.

  “May-fee does drugs? No way!”

  “How else would it get in her locker? “

  “Something isn’t right, here.“

  “All of you, quit gossiping and get to class! “ The Principal’s voice was stern, and the crowd quickly broke apart, but not before May-fee saw Sara and Nicci with worried expressions. “Come with me.“

  May-fee followed the principal to his office. After entering, the Principal said, “Have a seat.“ Then he sighed. “Let me see your arms.“ May-fee presented them. “At least you don’t have track marks yet.” He rubbed his forehead. “Where did you get that stuff? “

  “I didn’t. “

  “Look, this is serious, “ he remarked impatiently. “You could get expelled for this. Tell me the truth.

  “I did.”

  “It is a first offense. If you cooperate, I may still be able to help you. So, I will ask again. Where did you get that stuff? “

  “It’s not mine.“

  The principal looked pained. “The police are coming, you know. We’ll be calling your guardian, and getting you tested. It’s better for you to come clean now than after we’ve investigated.“ May-fee remained silent. “So be it. Go sit in the reception room.” He stood up and opened his office door. “Mrs. Young, keep an eye on her and contact her guardian.”

  “Yes, sir,” the receptionist replied. “Come on, hon. Sit there.“ May-fee did. She was there for a while, mostly ignored. But there was a visitor: Katherine. She dropped something off at the reception desk, then looked at May-fee. She had a satisfied look on her face, and she winked at her before leaving as abruptly as she came.

  Mrs. Young was on the phone. “Yes, is this Ms. Cutt? I’m Mrs. Young at the school office. You’re May-fee Ellis’ guardian, right? Well, there was some contraband in her locker. Drug paraphernalia. Could you come right away? Thank you. We’ll see you soon.” She hung up.

  May-fee looked at Anna who only shrugged. Maybe I should get out my knitting. Then she got another visitor. This time it was Brittany, who sat beside her and put her hand on her knee.

  “Don’t worry. I know it wasn’t you and I won’t rest until everyone else knows that, too.”

  “Thanks, Brittany."

  “I’m glad you’re so calm. Hopefully we’ll get this taken care of by lunch.“ She patted May-fee‘s knee then got up and left. Before long, first period was over and the halls filled with students. A few looked through the glass and waved to her.

  A few minutes later, Theresa arrived. “May-fee! Are you ok?” She sat next to her. I don’t believe for a second that you’re mixed up with drugs.” Theresa took a paper wrapped bagel out of her bag. “Here, you left so early today, you must be hungry.” May-fee took the bagel gratefully and started to nibble on it. She only got half done when a police officer walked into the office. Soon, the four were together in the Principal’s office.

  “I’m Officer Daw,” he said. “May I ask you some questions?“

  “Don’t you have to read her her rights or something?“

  “She’s not under arrest, and this is not a interrogation. I’m just trying to get at the truth.”

  “The truth is someone else put that stuff in her locker.”

  “Well, there were no finger prints on the items. Whoever did put that stuff in there was careful. Principal, how many people have the combination to her locker?”

  “Just her, this office, and anyone who used to use the locker, i guess.“

  “So it is possible someone else could have gained access. Ma’am, will you consent to your daughter taking a drug test? It’s strictly voluntary, but it could vindicate her.”

  “Hon, are you ok with doing that? It’ll show then they’re wrong about you." Theresa gave the principal a dirty look. “Even though it’s innocent until proven guilty in this country. “

  “I’ll do it, “ May-fee agreed. Officer Daw took out a cotton swab and asked May-fee to keep it in her mouth until it was saturated with saliva. After that, he put the wet swab into a plastic vial with several tubes. In about ten minutes, he had the results.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Test is clear. There are no drugs in her system.”

  “Well, hallelujah. “ Theresa said.

  “Principal, there just isn’t enough evidence to charge her with possession.”

  “Is that so?” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Fine, you’re free to go, but I’ll be keeping an eye on you!“

  “You better leave this sweet girl alone,“ Theresa replied.

  “It’s May-fee, right?“ Officer Daw asked as the three of them were leaving the office. “You have many loyal friends. It was noisy to investigate with all the people vouching for you. But there also was a couple kids badmouthing you. May have been who set you up. Just be careful, ok?”

  “Thank you, officer. Good day, “ said Theresa. “So, do you want to come home for today? “

  “No, I’ll stay, “ May-fee answered. “Thank you for coming to help me.“

  “Any time, dear.”

  “Hey, he called me your daughter, but you didn’t correct him.“

  “I love all my boarders like my own daughters. That means you, too. Hope you have a better day now.“

  May-fee smiled. “I will.”

  ***

  When May-fee got to class, there were some whispers around the room. Even the teacher gave her a disapproving look. Sara gave her a little wave and shrugged. The novelty soon passed, though, and class ran in the usual way. After class, May-fee and Sara went to lunch together.

  In the cafeteria, May-fee got more looks and heard more whispers. It seemed almost everyone knew what happened. Kathy and her angels were smirking. Ignoring all that, Sara and May-fee got their trays and sat down.

  “What a morning. So what all happened? “ Sara inquired.

  “Mr. Hume took me to his office, tried to get me to confess, and finally the policeman said there wasn’t enough . . . “

  “May-fee!“ Connie interrupted and sat down across from her. “It’s not true, right? “

  “Of course it’s not true,“ said Faust from behind. Then he sat down too. “Are you ok, May-fee? Are you going to be expelled or something? “

  May-fee calmly took a bite of her peas. “I’m OK. No charges. No punishment.”

  “Thank goodness,“ Connie sighed, relieved. “I wonder who would do that to you? I thought everyone likes you.”

  “I think I could guess, “ replied Sara, casting a gaze in Kathy’s direction.

  “I wouldn’t put it past her,“ Faust added after following Sara‘s gaze.

  “I don’t really care, “ May-fee quipped. “But thanks for worrying about me.”

  “You’re always so cool,“ Connie praised.

  “Not really,“ May-fee minimized.

  “And modest too,” Faust said.

  May-fee felt a presence behind her. It was Nicci and she pulled a chair over. She was about to ask something, but May-fee guessed the question and responded before she could. “It’s ok, Nicci. I was released. No evidence.“

  “I’m glad to hear that, but I have a different question.“

  “Oh, I’m sorry. What is it? “

  “I talked to my dad last night. He said you could come over to study so long as you left before dinner. I can help you catch up on what you missed in World History this morning.“

  “Actually, I wanted to ask you out, myself,“ Faust interjected.

  “I was going to see if you’d like to go to the mall with me,“ Sara added.

  “My, so popular, “ Connie remarked. “I guess you won’t have time to visit the Home Ec club today?“

  May-fee looked around at all their expectant faces while sipping from a milk carton. “Studying would be best today,“ she finally answered. Nicci smiled, and the other three looked disappointed.

  “Nicci again, huh?” Sara muttered under her breath.

  “That’s OK, another time then,” Faust offered.

  “You can visit us any Wednesday,“ Connie informed.

  “Thanks, you guys,“ May-fee said. Lunch was soon over, and the five of them parted.

  ***

  After school, Nicci and May-fee met near the main door of the school. After a mostly silent walk, they arrived at Nicci‘s home, and she opened the door for May-fee. They went in.

  “Would you like some tea and snacks before we study?” asked Nicci.

  “Um, sure, that sounds good.” May-fee looked around the place, chewing her lower lip.

  “Let’s go in the kitchen, then. The table there will be best for studying.“ They went to the kitchen, setting their bags on the table. Nicci got the teapot out. “Do you like lemon tea, May-fee?“

  “Yeah, that sounds good.“ May-fee took a seat at the table, looking a little lost.

  “May-fee, we’re friends, right? You can talk to me. I didn’t want to talk about it this morning, but it’s obvious you’re very worried about me.” Nicci reached across the table and set her hand on May-fee’s.

  “Yes, we’re friends. And it kills me that I don’t know how to help you. Sara says that maybe I should tell the police about what he does to you.” Her eyes met Nicci‘s.

  “Please, don’t. If they take me away from my dad, I’ll end up in foster care. I’ll be trading one kind of abuse for who knows what new kind. I’ll lose my privacy, sharing bunk beds with who knows how many other kids. Probably a new school... and I may never see you again... it’s no good, May-fee.”

  May-fee listened, speechless.

  “Besides, it’s not so bad,” Nicci continued. “It doesn’t happen all that often. He only started using a belt a couple weeks ago. And to be fair, I did disobey. I deserved it. And things have been hard for him since we lost Mom. He doesn’t mean to hurt me.”

  “Nicci, there’s no way you deserve that!” May-fee was incredulous.

  Nicci squeezed May-fee’s hand. “Hey, it has its bright side, too. After, he feels so guilty about it, I can get just about anything I want. Like my smartphone. And last night, I was able to get permission to let you visit. He never allowed me to have visitors over when I was alone, before.”

  “Nicci! Do you hear yourself? He’s brain washed you into being a willing victim!”

  “May-fee, it means a lot that you care so much. But things really are best if we just leave them as they are.”

  “But it is getting worse! He started using a belt recently? How long until he finds something even worse?”

  Nicci smiled at May-fee. “It’s ok. I’m OK. This is fine. This is nothing, compared to so many others.”

  “But, you’re not some other!”

  “Shh. This is just how it is." Nicci squeezed May-fee’s hand, then she slid a plate of cookies towards her. "Now, we should finish our tea and get to studying.”

  May-fee’s mouth opened, but no words came out. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

  Just then, the sound of the garage door opening came through the kitchen wall. “Dad’s home already?“ Then there was a loud thump, and a crash, as though the vehicle had smashed into something like a trash can. “Oh, no!” Nicci started to tremble. There was real fear in her eyes. “May-fee, we’ve gotta go! Now!” She tugged on May-fee’s arm.

  May-fee stood up. “What’s wrong? Why are you so afraid?”

  “He’s drunk! We have to run. He’ll hurt you, too!” Nicci pulled May-fee into the living room and opened the front door.

  There was a thump as the door to the garage was thrown open. Nicci’s dad’s voice came from the kitchen. “Nicci! Where are you? Come give your dad shum shuga!”

  “May-fee, we have to go! When he’s like this, he’ll...he’ll...” But May-fee pulled herself free of Nicci‘s hold. "May-fee, please!" Her dad came stumbling into the living room. He reeked of alcohol.

  “Oh, look, ish your little friend, again. Does she wantsh shum shuga, too?” The hungry look on his face was disturbing and unnatural. He had a creepy smile.

  May-fee stood in front of the red faced man. Her red eyes flashed. She was barely as tall as his chest. “I won’t let you hurt Nicci! I won't let you hurt my friend anymore!”