Uproot (Upwood #3)

Prologue

Selah

Upwood

I look up from my desk again, watching my student as he continues drawing on the white construction paper I gave him.

He's so engrossed in what he's doing, he doesn't notice my eyes on him as I sadly look over his rumpled shirt that is a size too small for him, his baggy shorts, and dirty sneakers.

I look down at my watch and see that it's now 4pm. School has been out for almost an hour and a half now, and Edison and I are the only ones still in my classroom.

Today was our final parent teacher conference day before the end of the school year, and Edison told me that his dad was coming for his 3pm appointment, and had instructed him to wait here for him.

I've called his father several times now, but I haven't received anything but the automated sound of his voicemail each time I've tried to reach him.

I wish I could say that this is out of character, but I've had nothing but issues with his father since I started teaching here at Upwood Elementary. He has always been very hard to get in touch with, but that is the least of my issues with him.

Edison has had weeks where he only came to school a few days, or not at all. He has shown up wearing the same clothes multiple days in a row, or clothing that reeked of marijuana. I have gotten in the habit of keeping some extra clothing in his size by my desk as often as I can so he isn't embarrassed around the other kids.

There was never a day that I can remember that he came with a packed lunch, or money in hand to purchase a hot lunch. I finally filled out a form for his father to sign to get him free lunches after purchasing lunch for him for the first few weeks of school myself.

He's a bright boy, and doesn't cause any disruptions in class, but he gets distracted very easily, and is a bit behind his peers. He is usually more interested in drawing than working on math or writing.

Then there are times when he tells me that he doesn't want to go home after school, and when I ask him why, he always hesitates, then just says he doesn't like it there. I've told all of this to Principal Harold countless times, and even asked the opinion of a friend of mine who is the Sheriff of our town, but there is nothing that anyone can do.

Despite what I've seen, his dad somehow passed a visit from CPS, and is doing enough not to be considered neglectful.

Even if it is the bare minimum.

I close up my laptop and grab my purse, forcing a smile on my face as I walk over to Edison. He smiles at me, holding up his picture for me to see, "Do you like it Ms. Selah? It's you!"

I smile brightly, taking the picture from him and looking it over. It's a stick figure with a large head that has a mop of black curls on top of it. Her face is colored dark brown, and there's a huge toothy smile on it. He's even made a triangle, "dress", that is yellow just like the one I have on today.

"This is so lovely, Edi! I'm going to hang it up on our star board," I say, walking over to the large cork board on one of the walls in our classroom. I find an unused push pin and hang up his artwork there along with some of his classmates.

"Edison, let’s go down to Principal Harold's office, ok? Grab your backpack," I say, coming back over to him.

His smile fades, and he looks down at his desk, "My dad isn't coming, is he?" he mutters.

I try to keep my expression positive, even though I feel awful right now.

How many times can one person let you down?

Sadly, I know from experience that the answer is infinite.

"He's running late, so I'm going to figure out how to get you home safe, ok?" I say.

He nods, and goes over to our cubby area to grab his backpack. We walk down the empty hallway to the front office, and go past the front desk. I knock lightly on Principal Harold's door, and he answers telling us to come inside.

The principal smiles as he sees me come in, but his smile falters as he notices Edison with me. He gets up from his desk coming around to us. "What's going on, Ms. Lansing?" he asks, looking between us.

I look down at Edison, and put a hand on his shoulder, "Edi, how about you sit right here, ok. I'm going to talk to Principal Harold for a few minutes over there," I say, pointing to the main office.

Edison nods, plopping down in the seat and swinging his legs. Harold and I walk out by the empty receptionist desk, and he folds his arms over his chest, waiting for me to explain.

"His father didn't show up for our parent teacher conference. I've called him several times, but the phone just keeps going straight to voicemail, and he has no emergency contact listed. The number he updated for Edison's mother goes to a disconnected number with a New York area code."

Harold puts his hands on his hips blowing out a heavy breath. "It's just become ridiculous with his father," he responds, looking out of the large window next to us.

"We are going to have to contact Sheriff Vaughn and have Edison escorted home. It's against the district policy for you to take him home on your own without his parent's approval, and the Sheriff is already aware of the situation with him," Harold says quietly, looking back towards his office.

I peak over and see Edison still sitting where we left him, his fingers tapping on his sunburnt legs. My heart aches watching him as he sits completely unaware of the disappointment I will have to give him again.

There have been so many times that I just want to take him home with me and away from the messiness in his life. I'd make him a nice hot meal, and teach him how to bake chocolate chip cookies. Most importantly, I'd keep him safe.

I turn my attention back to Principal Harold, "Ok. I guess that's the best idea right now," I agree.

I go back into the office with Edison while Harold goes to use the phone at the front desk to call the Upwood Police Department. Fifteen minutes later, Harold goes out front to unlock the front doors for Sheriff Vaughn, and they both come in a few moments later.

Rockwell Vaughn is an imposing man if you don't know him. He is always wearing a no-nonsense expression on his face that coupled with his large stature intimidates most people. But I know that he has a heart the size of the sun, and treats my best friend Evy like a Queen. That alone has made me trust him in situations like this.

He takes off his sunglasses, and his face softens when he sees Edison and I sitting together.

He nods at me, coming around to bend down on one knee in front of Edison. "How are you doing, Edison? I'm Sheriff Vaughn, do you remember me?"

Edison avoids his eyes, his normal cautiousness around people he's not familiar with returning, "Yeah," he responds quietly, focusing on his legs.

Rockwell smiles, glancing over at me, "Well, Ms. Lansing told me that you need a ride home. Are you ok with her giving you a ride if I follow along behind you both?"

Edison looks up at me and I give him a reassuring smile. "Can..can Ms. Selah just take me to her house instead?" he questions, looking between us.

I fight back tears as Rockwell shakes his head, "We can't really do that buddy. We need to take you to your father. Is there a reason why you don't want to go home? We can talk about it if you want to talk alone," he offers.

Edison twists his mouth and for a moment I think he might finally open up and tell us something. It has been months of me, Harold, and the school guidance counselor trying to figure out what is going on that he is holding back. But Edison refuses to talk about it, and we can't force him to.

Rockwell nods and stands up, "Ok. Let's get going then," he instructs.

We all make our way out to the parking lot and I talk to Harold for a moment before getting Edison settled in my car. Rockwell waits until I shut the door to speak to me.

"I know it goes a bit against the rules, but I figured it was best if he rides with you since he's more comfortable with you. I don't want to freak him out taking him in a police vehicle," he explains. "I'll ride behind you and figure out if his dad is home when we get there. You just wait in the car with Edison, ok?"

"I will. And thank you so much, Rockwell," I say gratefully. I get into my car, typing Edison's address into my phone to get the directions. I've never driven to this side of Upwood before, but I know it's not the best area.

The houses are a bit more run down, and most of the streets are lined with old trailers, and loose dogs roam around freely. I don't judge though, since I didn't grow up in much better conditions, honestly. I worry that Edison and I have more in common than I want to think about.

When we finally get to Edison's house, I park across the street, a bit away from the driveway. I frown as a take in the overgrown, small front yard, and the white house that is in desperate need of repairs. It's definitely the worst one on the block, and I notice that there are no bikes or balls in the front yard, like some of the other houses around.

Rockwell pulls into the driveway, getting out and going to the front door alone. I notice a second police cruiser pull over up the road and sit idling.

I can hear music blaring from the house, and even though there isn't a car on the driveway, I figure that someone must be inside.

What is he doing?" Edison asks, looking out the window as Rockwell knocks on the door.

"Sheriff Vaughn is just seeing if your dad is home, Edi. It's ok," I say, reaching over in my bag to look for something to temporarily distract him.

He takes the notepad and marker I give him, still looking doubtful, but turns away from the window.

I see Rockwell coming back from the front door, and speak into the police radio on his shirt. The cruiser down the street comes closer, parking on the driveway as well. A young officer gets out and goes over to talk to him.

My anxious nerves dance around in my stomach as I see them both walk around the back of the house.

I talk to Edison and wait, and a few minutes later, Rockwell comes over to my car alone, motioning for me to get out. I open my door quickly and walk over to him.

The look on his face tells me there is no good news coming.

"Selah, drive your car up the road and circle back around here in five minutes," he instructs, his expression tense.

"W-what's going on?" I ask, looking over at the house.

"The back door was open, and we found his dad inside. He was.. busy with a woman. But they are both high off of their asses. The bedroom he was in, there was enough pills in there to run Upwood Pharmacy," Rockwell explains, shaking his head.

My heart sinks, and tears spring to my eyes as my fears are confirmed. I knew in my heart that was what was behind all of this.

I nod, gathering myself and swiping my eyes, "Alright. You're bringing them out?"

"As soon as you're out of sight. Edison doesn't need to see it. Give us five minutes. Brandon will take him down to the precinct and I will wait out here for you," he says.

His jaw tenses, and he lowers his voice, "Selah, this place is going to be a zoo in the next half hour when we get more cops here. Edison can't stay, and from what we know so far, there's no family in town or near here he can go with. Would you be willing to take him tonight? Just until I can figure out next of kin and get things settled? Otherwise CPS is going to take him and-"

"No!" I interject immediately, already knowing how that will go. "No, Rockwell, he can stay with me tonight. It's no problem at all. I'll call Principal Harold and let him know the situation."

He nods, looking relieved, "Thank you Selah," he says looking back at my car. "I'll see what clothes I can find for him in there, and anything else he may need. He's damn lucky to have you advocating for him all of this time."

I turn to the car and see Edison's sweet face staring back at me. His blue eyes are sad and questioning.

I say a silent prayer that his luck will extend farther than just having me in his corner.