Chapter 25

Renee’s POV

I can’t see this correctly. Debbie is laughing with Nilo, not at him. I don't think I want her to be a bully or anything, but I don’t think I want her friends with Nilo either.

I think about marching over there right now, and putting a stop to all of this, but Jasper puts a steady hand on me. He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t have to. The look he’s giving me says it all. I need to have some patience.

I hang back and observe, except this time I’m not just documenting Debbie’s health. I am watching to see if this is a one time fluke, maybe Nilo just said something funny and that was it.

Mrs. Hazel blows the whistle and the kids gather. I expect the signal to re-orient Debbie and have her run back over to the girls. Except she does it. She and Nilo run together and stand next to one another in the circle as Miss Hazel goes over the instructions.

It’s fine, I tell myself maybe those were the only spots open in the circle. Miss Hazel goes over the playbook and I watch as Nilo Pks Debbie’s side. Finally. This has to be where she gets annoyed and yells at Nilo to stop, and because Nilo is Mia‘’s son he of course won’t stop and the bickering will ensue.

Debbie opens her mouth and I prepare for a yell, but instead, she giggles and tries to poke him back and he dodges her which only makes Debbie try harder. It looks like they’re having fun.

Mrs. Hazel gives them a warning glance and tells them to listen. Mrs. Hazel’s attention goes back to the other children, but Debbie and Nilo are still eyeing each other up waiting for the other to make a move. I can’t believe what I’m seeing, they’re actually friends.

Mrs. Hazel blows the whistle again and the scrimmage begins.

This is where Jasper leans forward and I can tell he is paying particular attention to Debbie’s health, and at least he is because all I’m watching is how Debbie and Nilo interact on the field.

I do notice that Debbie is able to keep up with the other children, which surprises me as much as it warms my heart, I know this must mean the world to Debbie. But why does Nilo also have to be on the soccer team?

I keep watching and to my surprise, I see that Nilo and Debbie are in cahoots. They pass each other, the ball at every opportunity and leave all the other children and the dust.

Only about halfway into the game does Debbie slow down a little bit. Mrs. Hazel blows her whistle And Debbie goes to sit on the bench to catch her breath.

“I don’t see any harm in her joining the soccer team,” Jasper says, “Especially if she’ll be benched for part of the game so she can rest. The exercise might actually even be good for her lungs,” It shouldn’t, but his reply bothers me.

If Debbie joins the soccer team and continues her friendship with Nilo, it’s only a matter of time before a play date and then she spending more and more time with Eric and that’s too dangerous.

“I disagree,” I say flatly. I think about providing more than an explanation but I don’t have to, I’m her mother and I say no. Mrs. Hazel said so herself that was up to me. I march down the hill and straight to Debbie.

She perks up when she sees me. “Hi, Mom!” She has some sweat beading down the side of her temple, and she smiling ear to ear. I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Did you see me playing? I was really good, wasn’t I?”

“Yes, you are really good,” I tell her and wipe the sweat from her forehead. “Unfortunately, I just don’t think that you can join the soccer team,” I try not to feel my heart breaking as Debbie’s face falls.

“Why not?” Debbie demands. I know no matter what I say the reason will never be good enough.

“Is that what the doctor said?” Mrs. Hazel asks behind me. I turn around at her suddenly feeling a stab of betrayal. She is the one who said it was up to me. Why is she questioning this?

Just then Jasper trots down the hill and Debbie jumps up from the bench and goes to meet him. “Can Jasper?” Debbie begs him.

“Deborah, I already said no.” I firmly say, getting agitated that my answer is getting questioned. I could also kick myself, because the whole reason Debbie is asking Jasper is because for the last few months, he has been basically like his second caretaker to her.

I’m just digging myself into a deeper hole.

“It’s not fair!” Debbie screams, her despair being replaced by rage. “I’m tired of being treated differently,” Debbie says, kicking the ground. Her anger comes as a surprise. Debbie isn’t usually one to throw temper tantrums. “I never get to do anything that I want to do,” continues each word becoming louder than the last.

I kneel down next to her, trying to even out her temper before this gets out of control. “Debbie,” I say calmly and put a hand on her shoulder, but she is quick to swat it away.

“No!” Debbie screams. By now we’ve attracted a crowd. The other students have stepped closer to see what is going on, Nilo Stance the closest to us concerned for Debbie.

“I want to play soccer!” Debbie screams and she begins panting. I cast a glance over at Jasper who’s just as puzzled as I am. My eyes fall back on Debbie and I notice her muscles are growing bigger.

I quickly stand back up and grab her arm to pull her away before anybody else notices her werewolf characteristics are showing. All the while Debbie is kicking and screaming from behind.

We cross the field, pushing past the other children, and then I realize Eric has come and witnessed all of what just happened. Very carefully, I try to block the view of Debbie with my body, but it’s hard when she’s thrashing all about.

We go across the field, and I throw a quick glance behind my shoulder to gauge the reaction or to see if I can decipher what people have noticed.

Everyone has gone back to focusing on themselves or the practice as Mrs. Hazel recoups the class. Only Jasper, Eric, and Nilo stand apart from the rest, staring at us curiously. Nilo turns and whispers something to Eric and as he does, Eri’s eyes harden at us.

This is exactly why Debbie can’t join the soccer team, though I’m afraid it’s too late.