When I arrived, Eva was sitting in the chair across from Ellen, her body stiffening as she saw me round the corner to the office.
"Hailey, I'm sorry to call you in like this." Ellen apologized, hanging up the phone upon my arrival. "Principal Hadley will be with you in just a minute. He has a few things he wants to discuss with you before you take Eva home."
"Thanks." I sat down next to Eva, not sure what to say next, or if I should save the conversation when we got home. She wasn't offering up any information, which was pretty typical these days.
"Hailey, I won't take up more than a few minutes of your time." Principal Hadley waved me into his office and closed the door behind us. "I want you to know that Eva is not in any trouble. I did read over what information you've given us. I know she's going through a lot right now, which means you're doing the same."
"She is. More than any kid should have to go through."
"That is a lot for a kid to handle."
"Which is why I told her yesterday I was setting up a meeting with the school therapist. I'm not getting a whole lot out of her lately, and at this point, I don't know what else to do."
"I couldn't agree more. Whatever you decide, I want you to know that we're here to help in any
way that we can."
"Thank you. I'll take Eva home and we'll figure things out after that."
"Thanks for coming in, Hailey." Principal Hadley extended his hand out over the desk as he stood up, then held the door open for me to walk out. I eyed a stern-looking teacher getting after two students who had been running in the halls. My brothers and I always got in trouble for that.
"Hey, grab your bag." I lightly touched Eva on the shoulder. In return, she hopped off slowly, taking her time putting her arms through the straps of her backpack. "Thanks, Ellen."
"You're welcome. Take care."
"Hailey? Are you mad at me for what I did?" Her voice was soft, her lower lip trembling as if she were going to cry, her little hand squeezing mine while we walked out the front door.
"I'm not mad. I am a little confused as to what would make you feel like you would want to run away." She didn't respond, and I didn't push it even after we got into the car. "You all buckled?"
"Mhm." Her voice was soft like earlier, cutting off as she stared out the window. She went from having her hand leaning against her head, to yawning and staring at the passenger seat in front of her. I was sure she would nod off before we even got home. Although, when I stopped to open the garage door ten minutes later, she was still holding on. As the door clicked closed, shadows cast along the backseat. I half-expected her to run inside but she made no move to unbuckle her seatbelt. When I opened the back door to see what I could do to coax her out, there were tears running down her cheeks.
"When I was growing up, I remember feeling like I was disappointing my parents whenever I did something wrong. It never felt good to know they were mad at me or my brothers. I don't know if this is part of why you're upset, but I don't want you to ever feel that way."
"Hailey, is Principal Hadley mad at me?" Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, she unbuckled her seatbelt and grew quiet again as she slipped out of her seat.
"He understands you've been through a lot lately, so you're not in any trouble. However, let me be clear—whatever happened today cannot keep happening." She nodded in understanding, lips pressed tightly together. "Find someone to talk to about what you're feeling."
"Do I still have to go see the therapist if I do find someone to talk to?"
"Yes. That is still happening on Monday." Grabbing onto my hand, she jumped down from the car ledge."A therapist is probably one of the best people to talk to because they're trained to help us the most.
"What if I don't want to talk to the therapist?" She asked as we headed up the stairs, ducking underneath my arm as we walked inside.
"I want you to at least give it a good try." Placing my keys on the counter as she stood by and looked up at me with wide eyes.
"I'm nervous. I don't know them."
"Remember how nervous you were on your first day of school, but you gave it a good try?"
"Yeah. I still don't like it."
"You may not like school. What I mean is you met people you never met before-like Ellen and
Mrs. Holladay.."
"And Owen, Betsey, Natalie, and Jay."
"Six people. That's pretty good for only being here for not even a month."
"I guess." Shrugging her shoulders, her strap fell off her shoulder and her backpack fell to the floor with a soft thud. "Can I go change into my pajamas?"
"Sure. Then come back and show me what papers you have for me."
"Okay." Leaving her bag in the middle of the floor, she raced down the hall, her door not latching all the way as she disappeared into her room. While she changed, I opened the fridge to see what could be made for dinner later. I was just looking in the freezer when I heard her padding back into the kitchen and unzipping her bag to pull out her folder of papers. "I have a permission slip for the aquarium."
"Let's see it," I told her as she slipped the paper on the counter, her hands gripping the edge as she peered over the counter as I read over the flyer. We would love for your child to join us as we visit Shedd Aquarium on Wednesday, September 20th. We will be visiting many under-the-sea wonders, such as turtles, sea horses, penguins, and more. A turkey sandwich,
chips, cookie, and a drink will also be provided."
"Can I go?"
"I don't see why you can't go. We can work on filling out the paper and you can give it back to your teacher tomorrow."
