Gibbs rubbed his hand over the flat planes of the desk he was building, checking for any rough spots that still needed sanding. The desk, and its twin that sat a few feet away, were gifts for Leigh and Kate. They'd be twelve in a little over a week and were the closest thing to grandchildren he'd ever have.
His cell phone rang, jarring him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the caller id display, puzzled. Since he'd retired from NCIS , calls this early in the day had become unusual. His frown deepened as he recognized the number from Kate and Leigh's school.
"Gibbs," he said tersely, raising the phone to his ear.
"Mr. Gibbs, this is Pam Hamilton from St. Joe's, Leigh McGee's teacher. I'm sorry to bother you, but I can't seem to reach her parents. Would you happen to know how I could get in touch with them?"
"Is something wrong? Is she ok?" Gibbs asked anxiously.
"She's fine," the woman assured him. "I just really need to speak with one of them regarding her behavior this morning."
"I see," Gibbs said slowly. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. There was no telling what Leigh had done now. His namesake had inherited the stubbornness and outspoken attitude both he and her mother shared. He loved her spunky nature, but even he had to admit she could be quite a handful. "Her mother is out of town and if you can't reach her father, that probably means he's in the field somewhere. What's going on?"
Ms. Hamilton sighed. "Leigh's refusing to do the math review this morning. It's just a basic skills review, and I know she's more than capable of doing it, but it seems she's decided it's stupid and she's not going to do it."
"Oh she's not, is she?" Gibbs said softly, in a tone that anyone who knew him well would recognize as just short of dangerous. "I'll be right there."
TBC
