Page 68 of Love's Bloom
They arrived at the school. Misty parked the car and walked with Hazel into the school.
###
As the children arrived, Misty studied their faces. Violet, the little girl who’d been kind to Brody, came up to her and handed her a note. “I made this for you.”
Misty looked at the heart drawn on paper and said, “Thank you. That’s a very sweet thing to do.”
Violet gave her a big smile and went to her seat.
Brody sat in his chair, scowling. She tried to catch his attention, but he refused to look at her.
“’ Morning, everyone! I hope you had a nice Labor Day weekend. Now it’s time to get to work as second-grade students. Later, we’ll talk about some of the things you did over the weekend.”
She had a paper with addition and subtraction problems on their desks to assess her students’ math skills. While the kids worked on it, she walked around the room to see how they were doing. Brody quickly finished his paper and sat staring out the window.
Misty walked over to check it. The answers were correct.
Violet, sitting next to Brody, smiled up at her. “I’m done, Ms. Owens.”
“Very good. You two may read while we wait for everyone to finish.” Misty walked away to check on the other students.
###
Misty had just led her children outdoors for recess when Nolan Deere approached her. “Ms. Owens, I need to talk to you.” He turned to Hazel. “Ms. Belmont, will you watch Ms. Owens’ class if she isn’t back before recess ends?”
“Of course,” Hazel said, giving Misty a worried look.
Following the principal to her classroom, Misty felt like a naughty student who wasn’t sure what she’d done.
Nolan closed the door behind them.
He studied her. “I’ve received a phone call from Brody Kirk’s father. He’s requesting his son be changed to a different teacher.”
Misty felt her eyes widen.
“He mentioned that he saw you over the weekend talking to his son and felt a less personal relationship would be better for Brody.”
“What did you say?” Misty asked, her heart pounding.
“I asked him to wait and see how things went, that you were the appropriate teacher for a student who is as bright as Brody.”
“And?” she asked, surprised by Nolan’s response.
“And he agreed to wait. But we will be forced to address the issue again if Brody’s father continues to be concerned. Is this the student you mentioned to me on the first day of school?”
“Yes. I’ve been able to observe Brody’s father belittle him and see how withdrawn he is. He’s a bright boy and has a friend in class, a girl who sits next to him.”
“I think you’re the best placement for Brody. But if his father insists his child be moved out of the class, he will be. Is that clear?” Nolan’s harsh look made her want to squirm.
Feeling sick, Misty said, “Yes.”
Nolan left her classroom, and Misty’s emotions were in turmoil. She’d be careful, but she wouldn’t, couldn’t give up protecting Brody.
At the end of the school day, the thought of a practice session with David was encouraging. That would make her feel more in control.
Misty drove Hazel home with a plan. She’d go for a walk with Sugar, have supper, and then meet David for her class with him. He was working long days to take advantage of the daylight, and that timing suited her.
Sugar, bless her heart, was so enthusiastic to see her that Misty rushed her outside and watched her run into the woods and race back to greet her. Misty was filled with gratitude. Sugar was the best thing to happen to her in a long time.
