Page 67 of Ice Darling
I make the familiar trek to Gordie’s classroom, battling flashbacks from the last time I set out on this journey. The fear that wrecked my chest and flew through my veins still lingers now, a dormant monster, ready to awaken.
“Viking,” Miss Potts chirps when I slide open the door and step into the cheerful, decorated classroom.
I cringe at the sound of my name on her lips, but then I remember Cordelia teasing me about “pillaging villages,” and I break out into a smile.
“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile at me like that. What’s going on?” Miss Potts asks, walking over to me.
I clear my expression in case she gets the wrong idea and thinks I’m smiling because of her. “Mrs. Nelson said you wanted to see me.”
“Oh right.” She spins around, and her long, floral dress shifts with her. “I know a lot’s been going on with Gordie losing her nanny and her…mental issues that came from that.”
I frown at the phrase “mental issues,” but I don’t correct her because I don’t think she means it maliciously.
“However, she’s the only one who hasn’t done her career booklet yet.”
I mentally face-palm. “It’s my fault. She’s been asking me about it for weeks, but I’ve been so distracted…”
“It’s okay, Viking.” Miss Potts sets her hand on top of mine. “I know you’ve been dealing with a lot. I’m not saying that Gordie’s in trouble.”
I pull my hand away from hers and cross my arms over my chest. “I’ll be sure to get that booklet to you.”
“Don’t rush.” Miss Potts doesn’t seem offended by me pulling my hand away. “I just wanted to see if this was something Gordie could handle or if I should lighten her load a bit.”
“There’s no need to ‘lighten her load.’ My daughter is capable of handling her schoolwork.”
“Okay. Understood. When do you think Gordie can hand it in? I haven’t started grading yet.”
“I’ll work on it ASAP.”
“Great.” She grins tightly.
“Great. If that’s all…” I turn to the door.
“Viking.”
I stop and glance over my shoulder at her.
The smile is a little more dim, and she’s fidgeting with one of the strings dangling over the collar of her dress.
I wait for a beat and then ask, “Is there something else?”
She opens her mouth and closes it. Taking a deep breath, she says, “I know this isn’t my place, but I wanted to caution you about bringing outsiders into Gordie’s life during this difficult time.”
“Outsiders?”
“I mean…Gordie’s very impressionable right now, given all she’s going through. And we don’t want to introduce her to people we don’t know—newcomers to town and such who haven’t been vetted.”
She’s talking about Cordelia.
A scowl fights to break through, but this is my daughter’s teacher. Miss Potts has always treated Gordie well, and my daughter has thrived academically in her class.
I choose my words carefully. “I appreciate your concern, Miss Potts. I have always andwillalways protect my daughter, and so far, all the people I’ve brought around Gordie have proven they hold her best interests at heart.”
Her eyes flicker up as if she read me loud and clear. “Of course. I was just showing my concern, but I know you have everything under control.”
I wouldn’t say I have everything under control, not by a long shot, but I do have some important facts.
Fact one: my daughter is hurting.
