Chapter Eleven
Alicia
“Ms. Petersen, I don’t think you realize the severity of Bridget’s situation.
She’s missed an entire week of classes, is behind on all of her assignments, and has been involved in two altercations with other students in the last month.
We have a very strict no fighting policy.
The truancy and missed assignments are concerning, but the fighting will not be tolerated.
A third strike could result in her being expelled. ”
My heart sinks all the way to my feet. I knew she was struggling, but her grades were still passing.
When Mrs. Jones, the school counselor, called to set up an appointment, I was expecting to hear that Bridget’s ADHD was getting worse or that she smarted off to her math teacher again.
A medicine adjustment will help the former, and I don’t give a shit about the latter.
That teacher creeps me the fuck out, and the last thing I’m going to do is make my baby sister put up with his antics.
“I had no idea,” I mutter. “Not one of her teachers has contacted me, and the school app never alerted me to her absences.”
Mrs. Jones furrows her brow then turns to her computer, clicking around the screen for a minute.
“Hmm. I see here that the teachers only contacted myself, and the app has been spotty. I apologize for the miscommunication and will be sure to address this with Bridget’s teachers.
” She turns back to me, folding her hands together on the desk.
“In the meantime, how are things at home? More often than not, when there’s an issue with a student, it stems from troubles at home. ”
My spine stiffens, but before I can become too irate, she continues. “I’m not implying that the fault is yours, Ms. Petersen, but I am required to ask.”
Sighing, I look down at my hands. Lying about how hard it’s been is my first thought, but that’s not going to help Bridget.
“Honestly, it’s been rough. I’m working two jobs, so I’m barely home.
I can’t quit either of them because money is tight and my car needs some work.
When I am home, Bridget locks herself in her room and won’t speak to me.
We had an incident recently. My neighbor caught her drinking in the park near our complex while I was at work one night. ”
Mrs. Jones hums. “What happened after that?”
“Nothing.” I shrug. “I gave myself time to cool off before discussing it with her, but every time I try, she shuts me out. I honestly can’t remember the last time we even had an actual conversation.”
She reaches for a pen and paper and begins writing.
“I realize this is easier said than done, but I’d encourage family counseling to help bridge the gap between the two of you.
She’s going through so many biological and chemical changes right now, and your plate is full.
A mediator can do wonders for any relationship.
” She hands me the piece of paper with a name and phone number scribbled across it.
“This is one of my colleagues. Her first session is free and makes payment arrangements after that. If she can’t help you, she can surely point you in the direction of someone who can. ”
I take the paper, folding it in half and sticking it in my purse. “Thank you, Mrs. Jones. I really appreciate you calling me. Will you please continue to keep me up to date with Bridget?”
Mrs. Jones nods. “Of course, but I can only do so much before the school board takes action. One more incident and I’m afraid that will be it for Bridget here.”
My throat bobs. “I understand. Thank you.”
I leave the school with my shoulders feeling heavier than when I arrived.
How am I supposed to get through to a teenage girl that refuses to talk to me, let alone listen?
Providing the necessities has been my number one priority.
Emotional connections aren’t my area of expertise, but it’s looking more and more like that’s the direction I need to take.
Fuck. The feeling of failure settles into my bones.
Being home more would do wonders, I’m sure, but I can’t afford to quit either job. The one that I want to quit is the one that pays the most, but the thought of ever leaving O’Nelly’s makes me sick to my stomach. I may give Paddy a hard time, but I love the old man and my job there.
* * *
My boss at the Briar Ridge Country Club was definitely not happy about me showing up half an hour late.
He certainly doesn’t care about why, either.
I’m now busting my ass to get through the lunch rush to make up for it.
I keep a smile plastered on my face as I weave between tables, filling glasses, relaying our lunch special, and serving meals.
Only a handful of people treat me with any kind of respect.
The dark-haired woman sitting to the right of a Senator looks to be around my age and completely uncomfortable.
She smiles and thanks me every time I refill her water or the bread basket.
She’s polite when she orders and doesn’t require special alterations to her food.
When she’s finishes her meal, she excuses herself and makes her way toward the bathrooms. As she passes by, she slips a twenty dollar bill into my hand and whispers, “For the way this asshole talked to you and stared at your tits. It’s not much, but it’s the least I can do.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Uh, thanks.”
“You and I are just the hired help. We have to stick together.” Her voice is quiet, and before I can respond, she’s slipped into the restroom.
We’re nearing the later part of the lunch rush when a large man enters the dining room.
He approaches the hostess, smiling at her in a way that makes my skin crawl.
I hold my breath as she leads him through the room, praying he’s not in my section.
The big man upstairs doesn’t listen because she leads him not just to a table in my section, but to the private room for large parties.
I should have checked the reservation list when I got in, but since I was already late, I didn’t think about it.
When the hostess comes back to her podium, I slink up beside her. “Hailey, how big is the party going into that room?”
Hailey eyes me over her shoulder before flipping through the list in front of her. “Looks like eighteen. Doug Tenner. Know him?”
I shake my head. “Never heard of him. Do I have help in there or is it just me?”
She gives me a sympathetic look. “Just you. There’s a party of thirty coming in about half an hour for room one. Boss man has the other servers scheduled for that one.”
Dammit.
It’s not that I can’t handle it, I do it all the time. But this whole day has been just one shit storm after another, and there’s a feeling in the pit of my stomach that this won’t be any different.