Her phone buzzed on the desk, and she answered it when she saw the school’s number. “Hello.”
“May I speak with Ms. Adams?”
Serena recognized Principal Monet’s voice, and judging by the tone this wasn’t to be a pleasant call. “Speaking. Is there something wrong with Cecily?”
“I need you to come in for a meeting.”
“In regards to what?”
“Ms. Adams, your daughter started a food fight in the cafeteria during lunch today.” Disappointment laced the principal’s words. “There are several courses of disciplinary action we can take, but I would prefer for you to be a part of that decision.”
“When do I need to come in?”
“Preferably now.”
Of course. When she had a hundred and one things on her to-do list for the day. “I’ll be on my way in five minutes.”
“Thank you.”
She hung up and immediately called her assistant. “Hi Tia, is there any chance you could meet with the Heinen family today? I have an unexpected meeting that I can’t get out of.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Tia agreed readily. “What do you need me to do?”
“I’ll forward the file to you.” She clicked on her tablet as she spoke and sent the information. “Let them know they need to decide on a venue asap or they’ll risk losing their top choices. In the charts I’m sending I have detailed information about each venue they visited and what they did and didn’t like about it.”
“What else?”
“Go through the checklists that I’m sending and see if they have any more answers yet. The sooner I get concrete answers, the quicker I can make their plans.”
“I’ll do what I can.”
“I know you will. Thank you.” After ending the call, she grabbed her purse and rushed out the door.
She was halfway to school when she thought to call Lucas. Since he didn’t start his new job until next week, she thought he’d want to attend the meeting as well. She filled him in on the little information she knew, and he insisted on meeting her at the school.
They drove in at the same time, and he jumped out of the car. “Did you find out anything else?”
“How would I know? You saw me pull in,” she snapped. He flinched, and she immediately felt bad. “I’m sorry. My nerves are frazzled. Cecily has never been in trouble at school. Never.”
He pressed against her back and led her toward the entrance. “I’m sure there’s more to the story. Don’t get upset until we hear what happened.”
“There has to be a misunderstanding,” she muttered as she walked through the door Lucas held open.
“Let’s find out.” He took charge and told the secretary their names and who they were there to see.
As much as Serena hated the situation, she was grateful for Lucas’s calming presence. All those years of single parenting hadn’t fazed her because she didn’t know what she was missing. Four and a half months of having Lucas in their lives had her spoiled already.
The principle met them in the office then led them down a dark corridor to his office. Cecily sat in one chair, a boy her age and another set of parents on the other side of the office. The boy and Cecily glared at each other.
Serena sat down in the only available chair, and Lucas stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders.
Principal Monet sat at his oversize metal desk flanked by wooden bookshelves. Above and behind him were his framed diplomas from multiple universities. He crossed his hands in front of him, looking every bit a diplomatic authority figure. “I’ve called both sets of parents here today to discuss an event that took place during the lunch hour. Cecily, would you begin by sharing your side of the story?”
“He,” she pointed a finger and scowled at the boy, “called my father a murderer.”
Serena blinked in utter surprise. Lucas tightened his grip on her shoulders. Neither said anything, waited for their daughter to finish.
“I did not,” the boy shouted. “I said soldiers are murderers. How was I to know your dad’s one?”
