We’ve barely taken our place in the pick-up line when she comes racing out of the building. There’s a big smile on her face and she seems full of her usual after-school energy, with her backpack bouncing from side to side as she turns and waves goodbye to a teacher.
I’d never know from seeing her like this that she’s going through a rough time and struggling to make friends.
“Mom!” She climbs into the backseat of the extended cab and looks around in wonder, like she’s never seen Grant’s vehicle before. “Grant! Why are both of you here to pick me up? Are we going somewhere fun?”
“We’re just going home, sweetheart.” I turn in my seat to face her as we pull away from the curb. “My car broke down, so Grant came to rescue me from the side of the road.”
“Like a knight in shining armor,” April says, grinning at Grant in the rearview mirror. “That’s so cool. Was Mom’s car smoking and everything?”
Grant chuckles, and it’s one of those small but unexpected and genuine laughs that never fails to make my stomach do that fluttery thing. That thing that seems to be happening more and more lately, but only around him.
“There was some smoke, yeah,” he says. “And some pretty impressive engine noises.”
“Awesome. I mean, not awesome that it broke, but awesome that you came to save the day.” She turns her attention back to me. “How long until it’s fixed?”
“I’m not sure yet.” I try and fail to stifle a grimace when I think about how much the repair bill is likely to be. “We’ll have to wait and see what the mechanic says.”
Seemingly satisfied with those answers, April launches into her usual detailed recap of the day. She tells us about a pop quiz in math that she thinks she aced, a funny story one of her classmates told at lunch, and how her teacher said she gave one of the best book reports in the class yesterday.
As I listen to her chatter, I realize this might be the perfect opening to bring up some of the suggestions from my meeting with her teacher and the principal today.
“You know what, sweetheart?” I begin during a brief pause in her monologue. “Your teacher and the principal had some fun ideas about ways you might connect with some of the other kids at school.”
Her face scrunches up a little, and I can tell she’s immediately doubting my definition of “fun.”
“Like what kind of ideas?”
“Well, they have something called a peer buddy program, where they pair new students with kids who have been at the school for a while. And there’s also an after-school reading club that might be perfect for someone who just wrote an excellent book report.”
I keep my tone light, but I’m watching her carefully, trying to gauge her reaction. She doesn’t look entirely resistant, so I’m taking that as a good sign for now.
“Would I have to do both?” she asks.
“Only if you want to. We could try one and see how it goes. Or neither, if you’re not interested. But I think they sound like they might be fun.”
Grant catches my eye and gives me a tiny nod of encouragement. It’s a small gesture, but it helps.
“The reading club sounds kinda cool,” April says. “Do you think there will be other kids who like the same books I do?”
“I think that’s exactly the point.” I offer a tentative smile, genuinely happy that she seems to be warming up to the idea. “You would get to meet kids who love reading as much as you do.”
“And maybe some of them will know about hockey, too!”
This time, Grant chimes in. “There will probably be at least a few hockey fans in a Denver elementary school. Especially kids who are smart enough to be in a reading club.”
April thinks it over for a few more seconds, then nods. “Okay. I want to try the reading club. When does it start?”
“I can call your teacher tomorrow and find out all the details.” I reach back and give her hand a squeeze. “I’m proud of you for being so open to trying something new.”
“Thanks, Mom. And thanks for not making me do the buddy thing right away. I kind of want to see if I can make friends on my own first, you know?”
“That makes perfect sense, sweetheart.”
By the time we pull into Grant’s driveway, I’m feeling better than I have in weeks. My car is still broken down and my daughter is still having a hard time at school, but progress is being made. April is willing to put herself out there, and that’s a big win. And today has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have someone in my corner, always ready to back me up.
Steady, supportive Grant. I don’t know how or why he’s so consistently amazing, but I’m not questioning it today.
I’m just appreciative, and I’m not going to feel bad for accepting his help this time.
