"Good morning, Beautiful." Jack said as Jennifer entered their bedroom.
"I was just checking on Abby." Jennifer replied.
"Good thinking." Jack said. "How's she doing?"
Jennifer walked over to the bed and sat down next to her husband.
"Sleeping soundly."
"Are you going to talk to her teacher?" Jack asked.
Jennifer sighed. "Yeah, um, I'll take Abby to school and try to get a few minutes with Mrs. Henderson. I sure hope there's nothing wrong."
Jack pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. "So do I."
"You think it's something serious, don't you?"
"Well, she's definitely not her usual self." Jack admitted.
"Jack, it's probably just a stage. All kids go through it. I'm sure it's nothing but a bad day at school."
"You're her mother, Miss Horton. You know what's best for her." Jack said, kissing her cheek.
"Jack, we've been married forever and we have a daughter in school! How long are you going to keep calling me 'Miss Horton'?"
Jack thought for a minute. "Well, being that I've been doing it for so long, I'd say... forever."
Jennifer laughed and playfully pushed Jack onto the pillows, kissing him feverishly. "I was hoping you'd say that."
"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty." Jack sang as he kissed Abby's cheek.
"Time for school."
Abby groaned and rolled over. "I don't want to go to school."
Jack laughed. "Oh, come now. You must be an imposter! The Abigail I know loves to go to school."
Abby sat up and looked at Jack with such seriousness that it scared him. "Daddy, please don't make me go to school!"
Jack's concern for his daughter was heightened when he noticed tears in her eyes. He brushed one away with his thumb. "What are those tears for, hmm?"
Abby sniffled, and then started to cry harder.
"Oh my sweet Princess." Jack sighed. "I wish I knew how to help you." He wanted so desperately to take her in his arms and hold her but after last night, he didn't dare.
"Look, Sweetheart, if it were up to me, I would gladly let you stay home. We could have lots of fun. But you see, your mom... well, she wants you to go to school so you can grow up to be smart like she is. I have to say that I agree with her theory. You understand, don't you?"
Abby smiled at her father. "Okay, Daddy. I'll go to school, if it will make Mommy happy."
"That's my girl." Jack said, stroking Abby's hair. "Now, let's get you ready."
"Thanks for helping me out, Jack." Jennifer said as they stood in the foyer.
"Oh, it was our pleasure." Jack said, smiling at his daughter.
Jennifer looked at her watch. "We need to go or we'll be really late. Tell Daddy goodbye, Abby."
"Bye Daddy." Abby said with a wave.
"Goodbye, Sweetheart." Jack said. "Do you want me to pick you up from school today?"
Abby looked hesitantly at her parents. "I-I think I'll walk home with Celia."
Seeing Jack's disappointed look, Jennifer touched his shoulder.
Oh Jack, I hope our little girl is okay...
"Mrs. Henderson?" Jennifer called, peering into the doorway of Abby's classroom.
Mrs. Henderson looked up and smiled at Jennifer. "Mrs. Deveraux! What a nice surprise! What brings you here this morning?"
Hesitantly Jennifer walked into the classroom admiring the colorful children's artwork that adorned the walls.
"Well, I was just dropping off Abby and I was wondering if we could talk for a few minutes."
"Certainly." Mrs. Henderson said, pulling up two chairs. "How can I help you?"
Jennifer swallowed hard. "Um, well... has Abby been in any trouble at school lately?" The words hurt to say out loud.
Mrs. Henderson laughed. "Trouble? Heavens no! Abby is one of my brightest students. In fact she just wrote the most wonderful-."
"So you haven't noticed any change in her attitude or behavior?"
"She's been the same darling girl that she was when she first started school here. Abby is so well-behaved she's a shining example to the rest of the students. I wish they were all like your daughter. I can see that she takes after her parents, if you don't mind my saying so."
But Jennifer didn't hear the compliment. She was expecting to have more insight into Abby's unusual behavior, not about how wonderful her daughter is doing in school. She wanted answers and now the mystery was even deeper than before.
She stood, not realizing that Mrs. Henderson was still talking about Abby. "Well, thank you, Mrs. Henderson. I appreciate it."
"You and Jack must come to our open house next week. Abby wrote the most wonderful-."
Heartbroken, Jennifer rose and left the room as fast as possible, ignoring the sound of Mrs. Henderson calling her name.
In the hallway, she leaned against the wall, her heart beating rapidly.
If Abby's strange behavior wasn't caused by something at school, it could only mean one thing.
She was responsible for Abby's heartbreak. Not caring if people noticed, her emotions got the best of her, and she began to sob into her hands.
Oh Abby, can you ever forgive me?