The next day Erin and Brennan had Erin's high school tour. Brennan had allowed Erin to drive to the school. Erin had parked the car in the visitors spot and turned off the car. "This place is so enormous. Like a labyrinth." She looked at her mom and gave her an anxious smile in return. Brennan gave her a smile and a playful tap on the shoulder. They both stepped out of the car and walked towards the entrance. Brennan placed her hand on Erin's back, "It's going to be alright. Ready?" she asked Erin who was still fixated on the building. Erin snapped out of her trance and looked at her mom, "Yes." and responded. They were granted entrance into the building and were escorted into the Headmistress office. Erin looked at the name on the desk and the various degrees on the wall. She knew who this was...Dr. Emma Rockford, one of her dad's old flings. She met her about 5 times and it was always at her house. Brennan noticed how Erin's jaw was clenched and her nervous grip on the chair, "Honey? You alright? It's just protocol you know. Meeting the Headmistress. You'll be okay." Brennan said as she rubbed Erin's back. Erin nodded, "I know," she looked around to anticipate Dr. Rockford's entrance into her office, "I think I know her.." She whispered into her mothers direction. They both heard high heel steps headed to the office. Brennan had a confused look on her face which she quickly changed when Dr. Rockford entered the room.
Dr. Emma Rockford stayed standing and leant forward to shake Brennan's hand. Brennan smiled and stood up and so did Erin. "It's a pleasure to have you here Dr. Brennan and it's wonderful to meet you Erin." the Headmistress said as she shook both of their hands. Erin smiled and shook her hand, regaining her confidence and composure. Dr. Rockford sat down and so did mother and daughter. She opened up Erin's files and read her name. The headmistress swallowed and looked up to Erin. Erin met her gaze awaiting a response. "Erin Stiers, you definitely don't have to worry about taking our entrance exam. You are more than qualified to attend this institution. Your IQ is impressive and your resume is impeccable. It must run in your family...I am incredibly sorry to hear about your father's passing." She said as she placed Erin's file down on her desk. Emma gave her a sad smile, it was awkward, but the thought was there. Erin shuffled in her seat, she never knew how she should feel when people uttered those words to her. "Thank you, Dr. Rockford. It's been what-3 years I believe since I've seen you?." Erin asked confidently. Brennan looked at her daughter with curiosity once more and then turned to look at Dr. Rockford. "Dr. Rockford, did you know Dr. Michael Stiers?" Brennan asked as she took Erin's hand to hold it. Emma nodded knowingly, "Yes, before I moved to DC I was in Chicago. I dated Michael for a few months." she said and quickly changed the topic of conversation, "Erin, we would love to have you here," and handed Erin pamphlets of the school. They were filled with attractive teenagers in uniforms. Erin internally cringed at the thought of having to wear a uniform. She smiled and returned her gaze to her mom and handed her the pamphlets to view them. "Look mom, uniforms." Erin said, attempting to sound excited. Dr. Rockford was surprised at the exchange and she finally discovered who Erin's mom was. Michael would never answer the question directly.
"Would you like to take a tour?" Dr. Rockford asked as she stood up. Erin nodded and Brennan answered, "We would love one. Come on, sweetheart." They both stood up and followed the headmistress.
At the end of the tour, Erin and Brennan walked back towards the car, Erin handed the car keys to her mom, "Mom..do you mind driving back home?" she asked. Brennan took her keys and smiled, "Are you okay? You do like the school..right?" She was concerned and got in the car. Erin sat down and put on her seatbelt. "I do, I like it….she lied, you know. She dated my dad for about 2 years and I think she thought he was going to propose. My dad, like you, believes marriage is archaic. He also..wasn't a faithful man." Erin confessed. She gave her mom a wry smile. It made Erin sick when she knew her dad had another woman in the apartment. "That's why they broke up. She caught him in bed with someone else. I heard the entire fight and saw her get into her car. She saw me looking out my window..she waved goodbye and I waved back. That was the last time I saw her...So, I guess I understood why she lied." Erin said with a sad look. She quickly regained herself, "I'm sorry, I just dumped that on you." she apologized to her mom who was staring at her, listening to her. Brennan shook her head in protest, "No, no. Erin, you can tell me anything. I really don't mind. I assume that's why she lied as well. Wouldn't be too professional or make the interview any better if she disclosed that information." she said as she placed her hand on top of Erin's head and kissed her forehead.
"Let's go home, shall we?" Brennan said excitedly and Erin nodded with a smile. As they drove home Erin looked at her cellphone, scrolling through her friends' pictures on Instagram. "I miss my friends. Having to think about making new friends is so exhausting. Also, thinking about wearing a uniform is making me SICK…. I am being sarcastic, by the way." Erin quickly added onto her sentence. She had a feeling her mother wouldn't understand sarcasm very well. Brennan chuckled, "Thank you for the clarification." she said as they turned onto their street.