Chapter Two Alexandra #2
I smiled at Willow. “You know, I have one spot left in my class. What would you think about going down to the front office and seeing if you could be transferred from Ms. Gregson’s class to mine?”
Willow’s dark eyes lit up with what looked like absolute pleasure. She glanced over her shoulder at Elizabeth with a pleading expression.
After wiping the tears from her eyes, Elizabeth asked, “It won’t be too much trouble to do that?”
“Nope, no problem at all. It should just take a few seconds to change it in the computer. Of course, it probably wouldn’t hurt if you explain Willow’s situation and how you would prefer the move.”
With a smile, ElizaLiz said, “I would be happy to.”
“Ready to go?” I asked Willow.
When she nodded, I gently took her by the waist and eased her off my lap and onto her feet. After reluctantly putting my heels back on, I then started leading Elizabeth and Willow out of my classroom.
Of course, Atticus followed at my side. As Willow stroked his fur, I asked, “Do you have a dog at home?” When she shook her head forlornly, I replied, “That’s okay. Atticus can be your dog while you’re at school.”
Although she’d spoken to me before, she merely smiled and nodded her head. When we got to the front office, I headed to the third door on the right, which was our registrar, Patricia Mulkey.
At my knock, she glanced up from a mound of paperwork before waving me inside. I gave her an apologetic look. “I know today’s been crazy, but I have one last parent request for you.”
She snorted. “Somehow I doubt that.” Jerking her chin, she said, “Send them in.”
Nodding, I motioned for Elizabeth to join me in the office while Willow stayed in the hallway with Atticus “What can I do for you?”
“If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to change my granddaughter’s kindergarten teacher.”
Patricia frowned. “We don’t just swap teachers without a reason.” She pinned me a look. “Ms. Evans knows that.”
I held up my hands. “While I am aware of the protocol, I can assure you there’s some extenuating circumstances. And I do have an opening in my class.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I don’t want to get Ms. Evans in trouble, especially since she was kind enough to offer.” She then told Patricia what she’d told me about Willow. “I can provide necessary paperwork from my granddaughter’s therapist if you need that.”
Patricia smiled. “That won’t be necessary. Like Ms. Evans, I’m a softie.”
“Thank you very much,” Elizabeth said.
Turning to her computer, Patricia asked, “What’s the child’s name?”
“Willow Malloy.”
Patricia’s hands froze over the keyboard. Glancing over her shoulder, she asked, “I’m sorry. Did you say Malloy?”
Nodding, Elizabeth replied, “Yes, I registered her a few weeks ago.”
“I must’ve been on vacation then because I don’t remember that.”
“Yes, it was someone else.”
After typing in Willow’s name, Patricia said, “If you’ll just wait outside, I’ll finish up with Ms. Evans.”
“Of course.”
After Elizabeth left the office, Patricia rose out of the chair to come over to me.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she questioned in a hushed voice.
Since I figured she thought I was being pressured by Elizabeth, I replied, “Absolutely. I mean, what’s one more kid?”
She shook her head. “It’s not about your numbers.”
Furrowing my brows, I replied, “I don’t think I understand.”
Tsking, Patricia replied, “I forget you didn’t grow up here.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
Glancing over her shoulder, Patricia lowered her voice. “Has your uncle Paul ever mentioned the Hells Raiders to you?”
At the mention of the name, my mind immediately went to the warnings Paul had given me about staying away from a certain part of town. As a state trooper, he was always warning me about dangerous places both in town and in other counties.
“Yes, he did.”
Patricia shot me a knowing look. “I thought he had.”
“But what does Willow have to do with them?”
“Her daddy is an officer in the Raiders. Both of her uncles, too,” Patricia whispered.
From her expression, I think she expected me to react with horror or even disgust. But I didn’t. Instead of the emotions expected of me, I felt anger and disappointment. The one thing I hated about this town was the small minded attitudes and judgement.
It took me a moment to find the right words to say that wouldn’t get me in trouble. With a flippant wave of my hand, I replied, “She won’t be the first student I’ve had to come from a different home life than our other students.”
Patricia frowned. “But her father—”
With a teasing laugh, I countered, “Since I don’t think he’ll be inviting me to any of his biker parties, I think I’m safe.”
After giving me a long look, Patricia sighed. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“I’m positive.” When Patricia still didn’t seem convinced, I said, “In the end, that little girl needs me, and the part of me who lost my mom needs to be there for her.”
Patricia nodded. “I’ll make the change.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
When I walked out of the office, I found Elizabeth standing right outside the door, which caused me to jump. At what she might’ve heard, my face flushed. “I, uh, didn’t know you were there.”
She gave me a kind smile as she fell in step beside me up the hallway. Once we joined Willow in the main office, Elizabeth, “Thank you for what you did back there.”
“You don’t need to thank me.” With a shake of my head, I replied, “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Trust me, it wasn’t the first time.”
“It still doesn’t make it right.”
“Nor does it make it easier hearing my sons judged for their club involvement. At the end of the day, they’re good men.”
“I’m sure they are.”
With a grimace, she said, “While they are men, Willow is just a child. I can’t bear the thought of her being discriminated against just because of her last name.”
“I can assure you that will not happen when she is with me.”
Tears glittered in Elizabeth’s eyes. “You can’t imagine how much that means to me. And for her father.” She then motioned her hand to Willow. “Come on, honey. It’s time to go.”
Willow reluctantly slid off the couch to join Elizabeth. With her lips turned down in a frown, I said, “I’ll see you Monday.”
She gave me a beaming smile before walking out of the office. Just before the door closed behind them, she called, “Bye, Ms. Evans!”
Even though it was only a few words, my heart couldn’t help leaping in pride that once again she was talking just for me.