“It was an easy transition. I was happy it went well.”
“Good,” she quips. “I’m very pleased to hear that.” I nod and exhale freely for the first time since stepping inside her office. “A few mothers called in concerned.”
Crap.
My muscles tense a little because I don’t get what for.
“Concerned?”
“About Micah Wolfe’s chaperoning today.”
Double crap.
Inhaling slowly through my nose, I try to play it cool the best I can. “Heath’s father?”
Her hazel eyes flick up to mine, hinting that she’s seeing right through my innocent act, and she’s not here for it. “Yes…Heath’s father. He didn’t sign up like the rest of the moms.”
I thought he said he asked one of the moms to step down.
“I was under the impression he filled in for another parent,” I reply simply. “He passed all background checks and?—”
“I think the concern iswhyhe’s suddenly chaperoning, Miss Vesper. He’s never done it before and, frankly, he isn’t the town’s go-to volunteer.”
So?
I think this impromptu meeting is getting more unnecessary and stupid by the minute.
“It was my suggestion for Mr. Wolfe to get more involved with Heath’s school. Heath isn’t as social as the other children, and I’ve been concerned.”
“Concerned?” She furrows her brows and brings her #1 Principal mug to her thin lips. “He’s six.”
“He’s quiet. And it’s my job to make sure nothing was wrong at the home and that he receives any attention in addition to help him through it.”
“And?”
“I think he’s lonely.”
“And the solution?”
“Slowly work him into small groups. See if I can get him into a comfortable environment where he may open up a little.”
“And Mr. Wolfe’s job?”
What is the big deal with a parent chaperoning?
“Is there a problem with one of the mothers notlikingMr. Wolfe, Principal Simpson? Because I don’t fully understand what’s wrong here?”
She places her mug down slowly, clearly, we’re not in a hurry to get to the point here, so I lean back and get comfortable.
“I think they believe he had ulterior motives.”
“Such as?”
“Well, he was seen talking to you, Miss Vesper.” I havezeroissue holding her stare, even though thereisso much more shedoesn’t know. However, my being interrogated over the smallest of things here is ridiculous. “Mr. Wolfe hasn’t…dated for a long time.”
I remain quiet because I’m not going to make this easier for her.
In fact, I want to hear her say what she wants to divulge because, when I was hired, it was brushed upon.
