Page 19 of A Dish Best Served Hot

“Yeah, but imagine how much less stressed I’d be and how much more sleep I’d get.”

Dolores laughed. “Well, I definitely don’t want you getting no sleep. To that end, I have asked our instructional coach to support you with this transition. She should be stopping by at some point today. Of course, I’m here for anything you need too.”

“Thank you.”

“Also, we wanted to talk to you a bit more about the situation I mentioned yesterday.”

“The pissed off parent?”

“Yes.” Mrs. Fonseca nodded. “He emailed us both last night and requested a brief meeting today.”

“Today?”

“This morning. In a few minutes actually.”

What? Lola was still trying to get stuff together for her first day. “I have things to get done before the day starts. Could we maybe do this after school or another day this week?”

Mrs. Fonseca grimaced apologetically. “I’m sorry, but he requested we do it before his daughter comes to school today to make sure we are all on the same page.”

“On the same page? I don’t even know his daughter yet.”

“I get it. It seems backward, but I also think we need to have this discussion ASAP.”

There was really nothing else to say about it, then. “Okay. Can you give me more information before we head in?” she asked Dolores since she figured the principal would have the most information.

“Basically, this student, Rosalyn, doesn’t talk,” Dolores said.

“She’s nonverbal?”

“Well, she has the ability to speak, and does so at home, but she hasn’t spoken at school. She barely participates and it’s been nearly impossible to assess her proficiency in any academics. Ms. Kirkland was concerned, so she requested an evaluation without first discussing it with this parent. You can see why he’d be upset.”

Lola nodded. “So the parent isn’t concerned about her silence at school or he doesn’t think it’s a red flag for a potential learning disorder?”

“He’s worried about her not talking, but he does not think this is a learning disorder and refuses to have her evaluated.”

Lola was about to ask for more information when Dolores lifted a finger. She pressed the earpiece that was attached to her radio. “Go for Galván.” She listened. “Send them to the class. We’ll meet here.”

Lola gave a frantic look around. They were going to meet here? Her table was a mess still.

“It’s okay,” Dolores told her, guessing her thoughts. “We can sit at this table.” She pointed to the large kidney table by the door.

Lola grabbed one of her brand-new notebooks and a pen. She sat herself at one of the tiny chairs at the table. Before she could get a bigger chair the door opened and Saint Fucking Vega walked in. “Are you kidding me?”

The other women gave her a sharp look. Oops. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. But what the hell? Saint had a daughter? That meant he probably had a wife or girlfriend. What the fuck was he doing kissing her in closets?

“We have to stop meeting like this,” he said, then he bent over and Lola finally got a good look at the little person currently sliding out of his arms.

She was wearing olive green overalls with a beige shirt underneath and a pair of leopard print canvas shoes that matched the huge bow in her hair. With her light brown skin, and a riot of tight reddish brown ringlets, she was just a whole package of absolute adorableness.

“Oh, you are the cutest little thing I’ve seen in the longest time,” Lola told her as she stood up.

Rosalyn was practically hiding behind her dad’s jean-clad leg, but Lola didn’t let that stop her.

She motioned to her own olive green trousers and beige blouse. “Look, we even match. Although, your leopard print is way cooler than my boring tan.” She held out a foot to show off her ankle boots and was gratified to see that Rosalyn was at least looking at her.

Lola moved a little closer, but stopped when Rosalyn moved back. She took a step back and sank to her haunches. “I don’t know about you, Rosalyn, but I’m going to take this as a good sign. I think you and I are going to get along.”

The little girl frowned at her as if to say,That’s what you think.

---