“Violence is unacceptable,” his wife added. “No matter the circumstances.”
Ash felt a flash of anger at their self-satisfied words, even though there was truth in them. But wasn’t this all a bit of an overreaction to a little push?
What if it was more than just a push?
He was pretty sure that was their little girl out there, and she looked all right to him. But worry began to eat at him before anger had a chance to fully set in.
“That’s exactly the lesson we want all our students to learn,” Principal Chittenden said with a gentle smile, instantly defusing the tension in Ash’s chest. “Now, Maya and Eloise have a real-world opportunity to think about positive ways of expressing their feelings.”
“Was Eloise hurt?” Ash asked, turning to the parents.
“It wasverytraumatic for her,” Mrs. Lewis replied.
“Maybe your daughter grew up in a more rough-and-tumble environment,” Mr. Lewis offered. “We know it’s farm country out here. But Eloise isn’t accustomed to children who haven’t learned to use their words.”
They think we’re from Vermont,he realized with a funny little pang of pride.
Principal Chittenden looked to him and he shook his head, signaling her not to correct them.
Her eyes twinkled as she turned back tothe Lewises.
But before she could open her mouth, the door opened and a young woman with long blonde hair slipped in. She wore a soft gray sweater over a long plaid-print skirt, and her bright blue eyes were serious.
The moment she stepped in, the air in the room suddenly felt electrified, though he wasn’t sure why.
“Sorry, I’m late,” the young woman said softly, taking a seat.
“This is Miss Lawrence,” Principal Chittenden said. “You’re right on time, dear. We know you had to release your afternoon kindergarteners.”
This is Maya’s kindergarten teacher?Ash thought to himself. She barely looked old enough to be out of college.
“Thank you,” Miss Lawrence said, looking around at the gathered group.
When her eyes landed on Ash’s, she gave him a warm, encouraging smile, as if to make sure he knew that she wasn’t angry.
A wave of gratitude washed over him, and for the first time he let himself hope that maybe Maya’s whole elementary school experience wouldn’t have to be lived under the shadow of whatever happened yesterday.
“Miss Erin,” the principal said. “Why don’t we begin by having you describe for us what happened yesterday.”
The teacher’s aide looked like a deer in the headlights, but she cleared her throat and nodded.
“I wish I had seen the whole thing,” she began regretfully. “But there are so many students…”
“We understand,” the principal said encouragingly.
Ash couldn’t help noticing Mrs. Lewis rolling her eyes.
“But there was a lot of ruckus, and when I walked over, Eloise was getting up,” she went on. “Victoria Spencer said that Maya had pushed Eloise, and when I asked Maya what happened, she didn’t deny it.”
Principal Chittenden nodded.
“Why weren’t we called in then?” Mr. Lewis demanded.
“By the time I turned around, Eloise had already gotten onto the bus,” Miss Erin said. “The driver said she was okay, and I didn’t want to delay her since I don’t know your after-school plans.”
“Just right,” the principal said, nodding. “And you reported the incident so that we could arrange our meeting today.”
Miss Erin nodded, looking relieved.
