“I hadn’t noticed if she was leaning closer to her desk or not. I should have paid more attention.”
“Don’t blame yourself,” Nadine said. “Has she said anything to you about her home life?”
“No. Nothing more than a month ago when she spoke to you and the counselor. I was worried about how skinny she was and eating, but her grandmother said she eats. That she’s just picky.”
Though she never noticed Macy being picky with food in the classroom.
That food was snacks though, cookies and crackers, and not necessarily a meal a child might not like.
“What did she say about her bruising?”
“Andrea got her to talk some. She said her father did it.”
Andrea was the counselor. “Did she say why?”
“I guess she was upset over food. She was hungry and her father told her she had to wait for her grandmother to get out of work and she was crying.”
Her eyes filled some in sympathy. “Now what?”
“We called her grandmother, who should be here in thirty minutes. We had to call social services again. They will havesome explaining to do, but not enough to take her from the home. But we won’t release Macy to her father either.”
“He lives in the same house,” she argued.
“Our hands are tied. Sorry,” Nadine said.
“Can I go talk to her?”
“Sure. She wanted to go back to class, but we weren’t sure when her grandmother would come in. I think it was just best to keep her here. I’ve given her some snacks and juice. She was tired and slept some.”
“It breaks my heart,” Meredith said. “But we see this way too much.”
“We do,” Nadine said. “I’ll keep you posted. With any luck, she’ll be here tomorrow, but it’s hard to say.”
She walked out of Nadine’s office and moved to the bed Macy was lying on.
She was clean today, her hair washed and combed, her clothes wrinkled and a little small but not horrible.
The last time a call was made to her home, there were improvements. Maybe Macy only was bathed once a week and on the weekends, but it was better than nothing.
Which meant Macy’s grandmother had to have seen the bruises on the little girl.
“Hey there,” she said and sat on the bed next to Macy. Macy stayed on her side, but propped herself on her elbow.
“Hi, Ms. Banks. I’m sorry I missed class this afternoon. They wouldn’t let me go back.”
“It’s fine,” she said, patting Macy’s hand. “You probably could have used the rest. I know what it’s like to be exhausted and just want to sleep.”
“I wasn’t tired though. I said I was fine,” Macy argued.
“Sometimes the nurse knows what is best. Your grandmother is going to be here soon.”
“Can I go home?” Macy asked, her voice low. “I heard them talking about my dad. Does that mean someone else is going to get me?”
A tear rolled down Macy’s cheek. “Your grandmother is coming. I’m assuming you can go home.” She didn’t want to say anything else. She didn’t know what the outcome would be. There could be an explanation for it all, and they’d have to get it from an adult and not just a child.
“Can I go with you if I can’t go home?”
She fought hard for her bottom lip to not come out. “Honey, I can’t do that. I’m sorry. It wouldn’t be right. Keep your chin up. I’m sure it’s going to be fine. Just be honest with questions asked of you. It’s the best thing for now. It might not seem it, but in the long run, that is what you want to do.”
