Chapter 8

Nearly three hours later, after performing the daily routine of medical visits, Julia decided to have a sandwich in her office. In that instant a smile crossed his lips recalling the day I invited William to try the mayonnaise at the police station. Although she said nothing, I sensed that her husband was not part of the new food.

He had to find a common place in his agendas so the three of them could share a trouble-free day. Gradually spring gave them small days of truce. So I thought, when they were having dinner at night, to point out to William and the boy that they had to take advantage of Sunday for a little beach trip.

That instant the phone from his office sounded.

-Doctor Odgen...

-Sorry, Dr. Odgen. I'm Mr. Matthews. The principal of the school...

-Has anything happened to Harry?

-No... Well... I called Detective Murdoch in his office. An agent told me he was solving a case. The child... I'd better come... if you're so kind.

-Of course.

Twenty minutes later Julia walked into the school, would she have run away again? At that moment he observed the boy sitting on a bench in front of the principal's office. She didn't have to be very expert on maternal issues to find out what had happened. Harry had his lower lip split. When he realized his presence the boy under his head, embarrassed.

After returning from Montreal it was almost the first and only move he made with William by mutual agreement. Although Harry was reluctant to claim that he had never been to a school before. From the beginning, realizing that his life would not be normal, his mother decided that he would be totally responsible for his education. Now things had changed for all three of us.

When the elder Mr. Matthews, a professor of Literature who opened a public school with the help of families in the area, entered the office, invited him to sit in front of him.

-Have you seen him yet?

-Yes.

-What happened?

-Peter Jones. Every has a Peter Jones. Looks like he got in with the boy. Result. Harry's got a split lip. Jones will go home with one eye that will change color in no time.

-I can't believe it. He's a very quiet boy. He's very polite at home.

-Considering that Jones is twelve years old and takes several quarters from Harry, I didn't believe it at first either. Your boy's got a good forehand. I understand you're still in a difficult situation. I'm not expelling him from school. However, he's not going back to class today.

-I understand.

-Will you talk to him?

-I'll try.

-He didn't mean the cause of the fight. He's a very smart kid. He's even made a couple of friends in class since he walked into school a month ago. Although at first he was very secretive he has a certain charisma that does not go unnoticed by the rest. Even teachers have seen how he or she is able to help other classmates when they struggle with a problem. It's not normal in a child his age, you know what I mean?

-Perfectly -Julia said, rising from the chair-. I think it's genetic.