12-Leon

Leon

Cleo stumbles half a step, her hand flying to her face.

For a moment, nobody moves.

Even the principal, who has been standing nearby, looks stunned.

Rose's chest rises and falls rapidly.

"You can say whatever you want about me," she says, her voice trembling with anger. "You can call me names, spread lies about me, and judge every decision I've ever made."

She takes a step towards Cleo. "But don't you dare insult my children!"

Cleo stares at her. "You slapped me!"

"And I'll do it again if you call my children that name!"

"Have you lost your mind?"

"No!" Rose snaps. "But you seem to have forgotten that you're talking about children! Innocent children who have done absolutely nothing to you!"

Her voice cracks.

I glance at the children.

Leona has tears in her eyes. Liam is staring at his mother, his little face full of confusion, while Leon has moved closer to Rose.

I have never seen anything quite like this.

Rose has been willing to endure every insult directed at her, but the moment Cleo brought her children into it, something changed.

She couldn't tolerate it. She wouldn't tolerate it. And somehow, that tells me more about her than all of Cleo's accusations combined.

Cleo rubs her cheek, her eyes blazing. "You've always been a disgrace, Ruby!"

"Mommy!" Leona rushes towards Rose, wrapping her little arms around her waist.

Rose immediately bends to embrace her.

"It's okay, baby."

"Why is she being mean to you?" Leona asks, her voice trembling.

Rose closes her eyes for a moment. "Don't worry about that, sweetheart."

"But she called us names." I feel something tighten in my chest. Rose strokes her daughter's hair.

"You're a good girl, Leona. You and your brothers are good children. Don't ever let anyone make you think otherwise."

Liam moves closer, taking hold of his mother's hand.

"Mommy, we didn't do anything wrong."

"No, baby. You didn't."

Leon, however, seems to have had enough.

He steps forward, standing between Rose and Cleo.

"Don't talk about my mommy like that!"

Cleo looks down at him.

"Move aside, little boy. This is a conversation between adults."

"No!"

Leon lifts his chin.

"You made Mommy sad!"

"Leon," Rose says softly.

But he doesn't move.

I look at him, then at his siblings.

They're so small.

They shouldn't have to stand here listening to someone insult their mother. They shouldn't have to wonder whether something is wrong with them because a grown woman has decided to call them names.

Cleo shakes her head.

"Look at them. They don't even know who their father is, and they're already learning to be disrespectful."

My patience finally snaps.

"Enough!"

My voice rings through the corridor.

Cleo turns towards me. "Leo, I'm only telling the truth!"

"No. You're insulting children."

She scoffs. "Why are you so determined to defend her? You barely know her!"

"And you seem determined to humiliate her."

"Because someone needs to tell you what kind of woman she is!"

"Then tell me without insulting her children!"

Cleo opens her mouth, but I don't give her a chance to continue.

"You came here and accused Rose of selling herself. You called her shameless, and now you're insulting three innocent children. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?"

"Protecting you!"

"From what?"

She looks at me as though the answer should be obvious. "From her!"

I shake my head. "You don't get to decide who I spend my time with. You don't even know me"

Cleo's expression changes. For the first time since this confrontation began, she seems to realize that her words aren't having the effect she intended.

She glances at Rose, then back at me.

"You'll regret this."

"Perhaps. But at least I'll regret my own decisions."

She presses her lips together. Then she looks at the children again. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

I take a step forward. "Leave them alone, Miss."

She scoffs. But before she can say anything else, Leon reaches for my hand.

I look down at him.

His little fingers wrap around mine, and he looks up at me with eyes that remind me painfully of his mother's.

"Why is she being mean to us?"

I crouch beside him.

"Because sometimes people say things they shouldn't, little man."

"But we're not bad children, are we?"

My throat tightens. "No, you're not."

He looks towards Rose. "Mommy is good, too." I glance at her.

She is watching us, her eyes shining with tears she refuses to shed.

"Yes," I tell him. "Your mommy is good, too."

Leon nods, seemingly satisfied with my answer.

Then he returns to his mother's side.

I stand.

Cleo is still watching me, and I can tell she is waiting for me to change my mind. I won't. I turn towards her. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have somewhere to be."

She laughs bitterly. "Fine. Go ahead. Play happy family."

I ignore her and turn towards Rose. "Are you ready?"

Rose nods silently. She takes Liam's hand, while Leon and Leona remain close to her.

We begin walking away, but Cleo's voice follows us.

"Enjoy pretending, Ruby! We both know those children are nothing but bastards!"

Rose stops.

I see her hand tighten around Liam's.

Before I can say anything, she turns around. "Don't you dare!"

Cleo smiles cruelly. "What? It's the truth!"

I look at the children.

Liam's eyes are wide. Leona clings to Rose's side, and Leon looks ready to run back and confront Cleo himself.

Something inside me gives way.

I step forward, placing myself between Cleo and the children.

I don't know why I feel so angry.

I don't know why her words hurt me as though she has insulted someone I have known all my life.

I have known these children for only two days.

Two days.

Yet, when I look at their frightened faces, I can't bear the thought of anyone making them feel unwanted.

I turn towards Cleo.

"How dare you call my kids bastards?"