She waited patiently for us to get situated. “Sorry we’re late,” I told her.
She gave me a tight smile. “That’s one of the reasons I called you in today. I know that it’s hard for you now, but Abby and Blake have been late more times than they’ve been on time this year. We’re not even through the first quarter, Liz. I’ve tried to give your family grace while you adjust to your new situation, but I can’t let this go on without speaking up. Both Blake and Abby are the ones suffering from their tardiness. They rush into class and disturb the teaching already in progress and its encouraging bad habits. I know you are going through a rough time right now, but I think finding some consistent routine would be good for all of you.”
I swallowed back tears, mild rage and a whole lot of indignity. My new situation? A rough time? This woman had no idea. She had no idea what it was like to lose the love of her life, let alone manage to getherselfand four kids ready and out the door at a reasonable time.
If I didn’t think my kids would never learn to read, I would have withdrawn them today and homeschooled them. Then we’d never have to get out of ourpjs.
Except her words weren’t just infuriating and hurtful, they were also true. They were like daggers in all my weak places. And they screamed arguments alongside everything I already knew.
“We’re trying.” I hated the tremble in my voice. I hated falling back on this again. My grief and our loss didn’t mean anything to her and I honestly couldn’t expect them to. “We’re working very hard to find our rhythm; it’s just been hard.”
Her face softened with compassion. “I understand that. But I can’t continue to turn a blind eye. The kids need to be here on time.”
I nodded. “Alright. We’ll try harder.”
She offered me another strained smile. I didn’t think she believed me.
The explosion of children’s voices reached us through the open office door. I let out a slow sigh of relief. School was out; this meeting had to be over now.
Ms. Conway glanced at her door and back at me. “There’s something else.”
I gulped.
“Yes?”
“Abby has been acting up again.”
The words hit me hard. I couldn’t even respond to them. Frustrated tears welled in my bottom lashes and I willed myself not to break down in front of this lady. I could hold it together. I could hold it together for just five more minutes.
“She’s been very talkative,” Conway went on after it was obvious I wasn’t going to speak up. “She’s been caught bullying some of the boys on the playground at recess. And we suspect that she’s stealing erasers.”
“Erasers?” My surprise gave me the ability to speak through my emotion.
“White board erasers,” Ms. Conway clarified.
Oh, Jesus. “You think Abby’s stealing white board erasers?” Mouthy, talkative, bullying, yes, fine. All those things applied to Abby lately. But stealing? Erasers? That just didn’t make sense.
Not that I didn’t think she was capable of it… But really?
“We don’t have proof that it’s her yet. It’s just a feeling that her teacher, Mr. Hoya has. He wanted a parent-teacher conference with you, but I said I would speak with you first. I told him you would talk to Abby.”
“I will,” I assured her. “I’ll talk to her.”
“And try to be on time?”
I swallowed back the bitter pill of needing to humble myself in front of this woman I didn’t even like. Humility was never a strong characteristic of mine, but I knew that I was in the wrong here, which made it worse.
“Yes, and we’ll make a better effort to get here on time.”
She smiled patiently at me. “I make you promise to be on time, but then I’ve made you late to pick up the kids. How thoughtless of me.”
I didn’t say anything. By now Lucy’s fidgeting had gotten out of control andJacehad finally woken up and grown curious. SleepyJacewas easy to take places. CuriousJacewas about as nightmarish as any two-year-old in a space with breakable objects could be.
“Thank you, Ms. Conway,” I said on my way to my feet. “If there are any more problems, please don’t hesitate to call.”
“I’m sure we’ll speak again soon,” she replied evenly.
Meaning she expected more problems, many more problems.
