Chapter 31
Ivy
I sit down for lunch in the break room at work and open my bag, humming happily to myself as I set plastic containers of food on the table.
My phone buzzes with a call and I check the screen, hoping to see Micah’s smiling face, but my heart sinks when I see it’s Nell’s school calling.
I immediately conjure up images of broken bones and missing teeth after another failed attempt at flying off the monkey bars.
What will that awful nurse say this time?
Will she insult my parenting? My daughter’s energy and imagination? Or both?
Bracing myself, I accept the call.
“Miss Cole?” says an unfamiliar female voice. Professional. Concerned.
I sit up straighter. “This is her.”
“I’m Nadine Murphy, the assistant principal at Oceanview Elementary. How are you this afternoon?”
Significantly less okay than I was a few minutes ago, I think, but instead say, “I’m doing well. Thank you. How are you?”
“I have Penelope in my office today.”
My appetite immediately disappears. Nell’s in the principal’s office? What in the world happened?
I open my mouth but none of the questions I want to ask come out. Thankfully, Nadine hurries on, filling my stunned silence with information. “There’s no need to worry. She’s not injured, but you should be aware she was involved in an altercation with another student today.”
“An altercation?”
As in fighting? My sweet little girl was in a fight?
This is a phone call I never thought I’d get. A situation I never anticipated. I set my fork down and push my lunch out of the way to rest an elbow on the table and my head in my hand.
“She and a little boy in her class got into an argument about your living arrangement. Things escalated and the little boy pushed her. Instead of stopping there and being the bigger person, Nell pushed him back.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, pinching my forehead with my thumb and fingers. “I have so many questions; I don’t know where to start.”
“That’s totally understandable. I’ll give you the information I have and if you still have questions when I’m done, I’m happy to answer them.
I’ve spoken to both students separately and heard their version of what happened.
There isn’t much discrepancy between the two, so it’s safe to take Nell’s story at face value.
I’ll let her explain herself when she gets home, but it sounds like the other child made a comment about you two living with a man she just met.
Nell asserted this man is her father, the other child called her a liar and Nell called him a name, which resulted in him pushing her, and her pushing back. ”
“He is her father,” I say, reflexively.
Nell can’t stand not being believed. I’ve always attributed it to her love of heroes, just like her urge to take flight.
Whoever this little boy is pushed two of her biggest buttons in a row.
First, he made fun of her for just meeting her father, then he called her a liar.
Given the situation, I’m relieved she stopped at name-calling and pushing, though I’d never say that to the assistant principal.
“That’s all well and good, Miss Cole, and it’s certainly not for me to judge.
All families are beautiful in their own way.
Unfortunately, we have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying, and we take that policy very seriously.
Because Nell physically pushed another child, she’s been assigned in-school suspension for two days. ”
“In-school suspension?” My jaw drops. “And the other kid? He’s suspended too, I assume. He pushed her first…” I don’t know why it matters that both children have the same consequences, but it does. Nell’s a good girl…
“I can’t discuss those details with you due to confidentiality laws, but rest assured, the problem will be handled.” The assistant principal takes a breath then, “Nell’s very upset over this.”
“I’m sure she is. She’s never been in any real trouble in her life, and she hates injustice.” I struggle with my mama bear instincts. Is this injustice? Her getting in trouble for defending herself? Or is it better she learns that putting your hands on someone in anger is bad, no matter the reason?
“After some discussion with her teachers, we think it’s best if she takes the rest of the day off because of her emotional state. She’ll be waiting in the office for you to pick her up.”
Nadine doesn’t ask if I’m able to pick her up. She doesn’t extend the option to let Nell rest in the office until she’s feeling better and then head back to class. There’s just the assumption that I can drop everything to bring her home.
Sighing, I place my lunch back in my bag. “Okay. Thank you so much for letting me know.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Cole. I’ll be sure to call if anything changes.”
I thank the woman again and end the call, then stare at my phone in shock. My little girl is facing disciplinary action. The little girl who is sweet and kind and maybe a little vivacious, but has never been in any real trouble in her life.
What crazy, upside-down world am I living in?
I explain the situation to my boss and ask for the afternoon off. She’s understanding though annoyed, her thick eyebrows drawing together as she folds her hands together.
“I promise this isn’t typical,” I assure her. “Nell never gets into trouble.”
“My kids are grown, but one thing remains constant. Just when you think you’ve got everything figured out, they hit you with a curveball.” She smiles and pats my hand. “Take care of her, and take care of you. These surprises can be just as hard on us parents as they are on the kids.”
“Thank you so much for understanding,” I say, then gather my things and head for the door. My phone buzzes in my pocket as I step outside, and I curse when I see a text from Julian. He’s the last person I want to hear from right now.
Julian
I need your address. All your stuff is still here and I’m tired of looking at it. I’ll either sell it or ship it. Your choice.
With my mind entirely focused on my daughter, I shoot him Micah’s address, then climb into my rust bucket and hit the road.