Page 35 of Shattered Love

Avery

Fridays at schoolare my favorite. The kids are full of energy even though they can’t wait to leave.

I wave them out. “Don’t forget your weekend diary. I would like photos or drawings and some writing of everything you did on the weekend. We are doing a show and tell on Monday.”

They all race for the doors, shouting their agreement over their shoulders.

I turn back to room to see Reese has moved to the front of the class. Reese hasn’t been with us long. He was extremely bullied in his last school. Due to the bullying, he has a stutter which is worse when he has to talk out loud.

Cecelia pops her head in. “Mrs. Stone, can I have a word please?”

I smile at Reese. “Look over this book. I’ll be right back, okay?”

I walk over to Cecelia. I’m surprised she’s still here as it’s the weekend. She normally leaves straight away to go visit Brax. I close the door behind me.

“Hey, everything okay?”

She smiles. “Yes, sorry. Dominic working late tonight?”

I nod, confused. “Yes, he’ll be home around eleven.”

Cecelia looks at Reese. “I’ve got to do some stuff, but I was thinking of grabbing pizza and maybe having a girls’ night. We could ask Molly? I feel terrible I missed that shopping trip a few days ago.”

I shake my head. “Hey, don’t be silly. We know you go see Brax and if Dominic or Carter lived that far away, we’d do the same. Molly is away for work and her new boss is a tyrant asshole, but I’d love some pizza.”

I don’t question Cecelia on why she’s not seeing Brax. I’ll wait until we’re in a good food coma and she can’t run off.

I walk back into the classroom after Cecelia leaves with the promise of the biggest pizza and chocolate chip ice cream, which I’ve had a craving for all day.

Reese looks up at me. “Do,do. I do. I…have have…do I have to to…do I have to speak?”

I wait patiently for him to finish. The fear in his eyes makes my heart hurt. I take a seat opposite him. “No, you don’t, but you can do it with me in private. Would that be okay?”

Reese worries his lip before nodding his head.

I have done a ton of research on the internet about stutters and how to help him. We go over the sheets for an hour before Donna, Reese’s mother, comes to collect him.

“How’s he doing?”

The worry on her face is heartbreaking. She’s a single mom who’s working two jobs. She worries that she doesn’t get enough done with Reese to help him, but if she cuts back her hours, they would be out on the streets. I offered to help.

“He’s doing well. I’m doing some confidence building exercises with him. They have a homework task they have to read out loud on Monday.”

Donna pales, looking at Reese.

“It’s okay. I told him he can come to me privately on a break. He’s made friends with a few children in the class but he’s still not speaking very much.”

Donna lets out a deep breath. “I’m home early on Sunday and we can go through it then. I wish that I could do more, it’s just—”

I stop her. “Donna, I know how much you love Reese. He’s a special, bright boy. He’s incredible. That’s all due to you. I’m happy to stay a few extra hours a week.”

Donna eyes glass. “Thank you, Avery. Honestly, you have done more than any other teacher.”

I wave them both off before grabbing my things.

As I pull into my drive, I notice a haggard look man and woman seated on the porch, an empty bottle of vodka laying by their side.

I jump when I hear a knock at my window. I take a deep breath when I see Cecelia outside holding a pizza and grocery bag. I get out of the car.

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