Malik asked, reaching for it. Jonathan gently moved it out of reach. Yes, and it stays with me. Malik noticed his father checking his watch repeatedly during breakfast as if coordinating the timing of their departure with precision. When they finally got into the car, Jonathan's phone buzzed.
He glanced at it, then made a brief call. We're leaving now. ETA 20 minutes. They rode in silence for several blocks before Malik gathered the courage to ask. "Dad, are you okay?
You seem different today," Jonathan's expression softened. "I'm fine, Malik. Just focused." "Are you mad about Ms. Anderson?"
"Not mad," Jonathan replied after a moment's consideration. "But I don't appreciate anyone calling my son a liar." As they approached Jefferson Academy, Malik noticed something unusual. Three black SUVs, identical to the one he'd seen outside their house, were parked across the street from the school. Men in dark suits stood beside them wearing sunglasses despite the cloudy morning.
"Dad, who are those men?" Jonathan glanced at them briefly. "Colu, why are they here?" "Support," Jonathan said simply, pulling into the school's visitor parking lot. As they walked toward the entrance, Malik felt a strange mixture of anxiety and anticipation.
Part of him couldn't wait to see Miss Anderson's face when his father walked in. Another part worried that somehow something would go wrong. "Don't worry," Jonathan said as if reading his thoughts. "Everything will be fine." "Inside," the school hallways were bustling with parents and students.
Parents Day at Jefferson Academy was always a major event with many families using it as an opportunity to network and forge connections. Malik spotted Tyler's father in an expensive Italian suit, already deep in conversation with the father of another student. They checked in at the front desk where the secretary did a double take when she saw Jonathan's ID badge. "Mr. Carter," she said, her professional smile faltering slightly.
"We weren't expecting. I mean, it's lovely to have you join us today. Thank you, Jonathan replied politely. Could you direct us to Ms. Anderson's classroom?
Of course. Room 112, just down that hallway on the right. As they walked, Malik noticed other parents and staff giving them curious glances. Jonathan's badge, prominently displayed on his suit jacket, seemed to be attracting attention. "Why is everyone staring?"
Malik whispered. People are curious about things they don't see every day," Jonathan answered. They reached room 112 where a small crowd of parents and students had already gathered. Miss Anderson stood at the front, perfectly poised in a cream colored blouse and navy skirt, greeting each family with practice charm. When she spotted Malik, a satisfied smirk crossed, her face, clearly assuming he had come alone.
Then her eyes shifted to Jonathan, took in his immaculate suit, his commanding presence, and finally settled on the Pentagon badge displayed on his lapel. The smirk vanished, replaced by an expression of disbelief. "Miss Anderson," Malik said, unable to keep a note of triumph from his voice. "This is my dad, Jonathan Carter. He works at the Pentagon."