Chapter 11 #2
“Exactly why you would be perfect.” Ashley gave him a disarming smile. “You’re an example of victory over tragedy. Instead of letting hardship defeat you, you rose from the ashes.”
Noah’s lips twitched at her enthusiasm. “So now I’m a phoenix too?”
“Okay,” Ashley grinned. “Maybe I got a little carried away. Now you know where Katie gets it.”
She clasped Noah’s hands in hers. “You would be an excellent role model and friend to a teen boy who’s lost and frightened. Are you interested?”
Jason sat across from the school principal in her office.
He hung his head, tangled bangs covering his eyes.
His anxiety rose as the school nurse, the head counselor, and his homeroom teacher entered the room.
He could see the school security officer posted outside the office.
Jason’s hands shook, and he stuffed them under his legs.
“Hi Jason. I’m Principal Tate. Of course, you know your homeroom teacher, Mr. Perry. This is our school nurse, Mrs. Peterson, and one of our school counselors, Mr. Dayton.”
Jason tugged on his sleeves to cover his most recent cuts, which were still oozing.
Shoot! Blood had soaked through his shirt.
He crossed his arms and folded his hands into his elbows.
He felt exposed and wanted to run. Hide.
All these people were staring at him. He leaned forward to make himself as small as possible.
His right toe tapped against the linoleum floor.
I’ve got to get out of here. His brain screamed for release from all these eyes looking at him, examining him.
Everyone gathered in the chairs, with Jason front and center.
He stoically looked down, not making eye contact.
Maybe they would all just disappear. He thought about making a run for it, but with a quick glance through the glass pane in the door, he saw the security officer planted firmly outside, hands on his hips.
Principal Tate spoke in a serious tone. “Do you know why we wanted to meet with you today?”
“Nope.” He hugged his hands tight around his arms and stared at his legs, eyes shielded by his bangs.
Principal Tate adjusted her glasses, then clasped her hands on her desk.
“The reason we called you to meet with us is because Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks are concerned that you might injure yourself. You’re not in trouble.
We just want to help you. Your foster parents are on their way to join us, as well as your CPS social worker.
We’re going to conduct a meeting to discuss how best to help you. ”
“I’m fine.” Jason spat out his words. “I just want everyone to leave me alone!”
Mr. Dayton spoke up. “We can’t do that. It’s our job to make sure you’re connected to all the resources you need.”
Brushing the hair out of his eyes, Jason glared at him and roared. “What I need is for everybody to mind their own business!”
“That’s not possible. You’re a minor and a ward of the court. We’re legally and morally obligated to help and protect you.”
Hot, angry tears burned his eyes. “I was ripped me out of my house, away from my school and my friends—against my will! I even lost my job.” He swiped at his eyes and nose.
“Nobody listens to what I want...or gives a crap.” He clenched his jaw.
“I’m sick of it. I can take care of myself.
I have had for years. Now everybody is up in my business. ”
A soft knock sounded at the office door.
“Please come in,” Principal Tate said.
Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks walked in. The school security guard poked his head inside. At a nod from Principal Tate, he closed the door and assumed his position just outside, like a prison guard.
Mrs. Hendricks walked over to Jason and laid her hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off with a stiff thrust of his shoulder.
Principal Tate stood and glanced around the room. “Let’s move to the conference room down the hallway. The social worker should be arriving shortly.”
They all filed out of the office and down the hallway. It was change of period and the hallway was full of kids laughing and talking. They went from loud and obnoxious to quiet when they saw all the adults walking down the hall.
“Is that the new kid?” someone whispered.
“Yeah.”
“I tried to talk to him, but he ignored me.”
“Don’t waste your time. He’s a loser.” The kids shrugged their shoulders in a whatever gesture and went on their way.
Jason sank into a chair next to Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks, who had worried expressions on their faces. Sue reached over and squeezed his hand. He ripped his away and let out a string of profanities.
“Jason!” Mr. Hendricks snapped.
Sue shushed him and patted his leg.
Another knock on the door announced the arrival of the social worker, Ms. Clark.
She rushed in with her arms full of files, clinging to her cell phone and keys, and somehow managing to balance it all with a coffee cup in her hand.
She set it all down on the table, apologizing for her late arrival as she settled into a chair.
Principal Tate took control of the meeting.
“Jason, as we discussed a few minutes ago in my office, we’re meeting today because of concerns from your foster parents that you’re cutting.
Your teachers have observed that you isolate yourself and are having difficulty getting assignments turned in.
In the past two months since you arrived, your grades have declined. ”
Jason glanced up through his bangs and noticed Sue and Jeff exchanging a frown. His face flushed with embarrassment, hating all the eyes burning holes through him. Why couldn’t everybody just mind their own business and leave him alone?
Principle Tate continued. “Can you please show us your arms?”
Jason stood and bolted for the door. He was stopped by the security officer who entered and closed the door behind him.
“You can’t force me.” Jason shouted. “I have rights.” More blood oozed through his shirt as he wrestled with the security guard to get out the door. “Ouch, ouch. You’re hurting me.”
“Jason. Jason, please.” Sue looked like she was about to cry.
Ms. Clark came and stood over him. “I understand you’re suffering, and we’re all sorry for the circumstances you’ve been through. You don’t deserve it.”
A tear ran down Jason’s cheek, and he scrubbed it away with the back of his hand.
The social worker continued in an even voice and laid a hand gently on his shoulder. “But we’re all here to help you and provide the support you need. Please. We’re on your side. Let us help you.”
Jason’s shoulders heaved as a sob broke through.
Ms. Clark kept her hand on his shoulder.
“It’s okay Jason. Let it out. This is a safe place.
Everyone here is looking out for you “After a few minutes, he wiped his eyes with his sleeve and sniffed.
Someone handed him a tissue, and he blew his nose and slumped back down at the table.
He unbuttoned his cuff and rolled up his sleeve.
Sue gasped at the webbed network of cut marks up and down his arm. His cheeks flamed with guilt and shame.
Some were whitened scars and others were barely scabbed over. He rolled up his other sleeve and pulled his shirt up to reveal more cuts on his torso and abdomen. The worst were the slit marks on the inside of his wrists; some deep, barely missing the artery.
Sue shut her eyes and said something under her breath. It sounded like a prayer.
Ms. Clark came over to Jason and kneeled by his side. “You’re very brave to share this with us.”
The school nurse, Mrs. Peterson, pulled her chair next to him and asked in a calm voice, “Can I do an evaluation, Jason? I want to check for signs of infection. Is that alright?”
Jason hung his head as she looked at all of his cuts and scars, one-by-one.
“When we’re finished with our meeting, I’d like you to come to my office, and I can clean and dress the ones that are still bleeding. Okay?”
The warmth in her voice almost undid him, but he closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. He refused to break.