Lena arrived at the school not too long after. She made her way to her office and saw Angie at her desk. "Hi Angie!" Lena greeted with a smile.
"Oh, hi Lena. How's Callie doing?" Angie asked.
"She's doing better. It seems that now that she's off the penicillin and on new medication her body is starting to recover. Finally!" Lena could tell that Angie wanted to know more and had some stuff that she wanted to talk to her about, so she motioned for her to follow her into her office.
"That's great! I hope she keeps recovering and she's back to her normal routine soon. I imagine this must be driving her crazy." Angie said with a smile. She new that Callie was a very active girl. She was either studding, playing music or out taking photos or drawing. She liked to take nature shots. So she was usually out at the beach or the park on pretty days.
Lena chuckled. Angie had no idea how true that was. "She is. Right now the only thing keeping her in bed is the medication they have her on. They make her drowsy, but when she's awake she's been trying to do homework. And she wanted to go to school. The deal was that it was up to her doctor." Lena sat at her desk and started to go through all the paperwork she saw there.
"I can imagine." Angie said chuckling. She then started to explain to Lena what each file was. "So this is Callie's work from the 3 classes she shares with Kylie and this file is all the work Kylie has turned in. I also talked to the teachers and they will be here any minute to talk to you. She has Calculus, Physics and English with her. I checked Kylies grade for those three classes, and from what I could tell, Callie has been doing her work for her since September. Angie said with hesitation.
"September? But it's April. She's been doing her work that long?" Lena asked surprised. How was it possible that Callie had been struggling with this for so long? How is it possible that none of the others had said anything? "Is Monty here?"
Angie nodded her head. "Would you like me to get her?"
"Yes please, I need her to be here when I talk with her teachers. This has to stop. I need to find out what is going on with my daughter." Angie left the office in search for Monty. Lena couldn't believe that Callie has been dealing with this for so long. She was angry at herself for not noticing sooner. What kind of mother doesn't notice this type of change in her kids life. She started to look at Callie's school work, she was impressed by the quality. Even with doing double the work she was still excelling. She then turned to Kylie's work and immediately noticed the identical writing style. She couldn't understand how the teacher didn't notice. She also noticed that Callie didn't put as much effort in the work but still got her good grades. Which got Lena thinking, if Callie's work was an A, then how was Kylie getting A on the work that was not to par with Callie's. Event though Callie was the one doing all the work you could tell that the quality was lower.
While Lenas was going through both girls work, she heard a knock on her door. "Come in." She said not even looking to see who was at the door.
"Lena, hows Callie doing?" Monty asked. She made her way to one of the chairs in front of Lenas desk and sat down.
Lena looked up from the papers she was reading and sighed. "Hi Monty, she's doing better. She had another anaphylactic shock at the hospital yesterday, but she's doing better today. It turns out she's allergic to penicillin, and that's the antibiotic they had her on. Now that she's on new meds she's doing better. She's responding to the antibiotics, her fever is finally going down, her rash is starting to clear up and she's stabilizing."
"Oh, thank God. I was so worried. Tell her not to worry about her school work to just take it easy and recover." Monty said. She knew that Callie was very responsible with her work. She didn't want her to jeopardize her recovery because of school work.
"I've tried but she's stubborn, she kept trying to so a report for english. But it turned out that it wasn't her report." Lena said sadly.
"What do you mean?" Monty was surprised with this news.
"She's been doing Kylie Sanders work for a few months now. She apparently threatened my other kids unless Callie did her work."
"Are you sure? That's a very serious allegation. I assume you have proof?" Monty asks. She wants to make sure that Lena can prove all of this. If not they won't be able to do anything about it.
"Look at Callie's work over the last few weeks" Lena handed Monty Callie's work and Monty read through a few. It very impressive. It's no wonder she skipped 2 grades.
"Yes I agree, even I was impressed with it. Now look at Kylie's work from the last few weeks." She handed them over.
Monty took those and read them as well. She then started to compare them with Callie's work. "I see what you mean. The writing is very similar. But how do you know that this isn't Kylie's work." Lena pulled out Kylie's file and got one of the reports from earlier in the year.
"This is Kylie's earlier work. Read it." When Monty started to read it Lena could see her eyes widen. She knew that Monty had seen the difference. "I see what you mean. The style is completely different and I can see Callie's style, but not completely.".
I think she was trying to make it look more like Kylie's work than her own. She didn't want to get caught." Lena said.
So your telling me that Callie has been doing both there work and she's still getting excellent grades?
Lena smiled. "I know. I'm starting to think that she could have graduated or taken all AP classes this year and it still wouldn't have been that much of a challenge." She started reading some of Callie's work. Just then there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Timothy and the other two teachers that Callie and Kylie share were by the door. "Please come in. We've been expecting you." The three teachers came in and sat around in Lena office. Lena looked around.
Timothy looked at the other two teachers and then at Lena. Lena how is Callie doing?
Well she is actually why we are all here today. She is still in the hospital. She was stung on friday by a bee and went into anaphylactic shock. After that the sting site got infected, she ended up being allergic to the antibiotics and had two more reactions after the bee sting. Right now she has been in the hospital since yesterday."
Oh my God. I hope she's getting better. Tell her that we hope she recovers quickly and that she doesn't have to worry about any of the work in any of her classes. We will give her extensions until she recovers and is able to do the work. How is she feeling right now?
Well she's tired. Most of the medication they have her on makes her drowsy so she spends a great amount of her day sleeping. And as far as her work, that's why we're here today.
Is there a problem?
Well it seems that you all have one thing in common. You both have Callie and Kylie Sanders in the same class.
"Yes I have them both in the same class." "So do I." "Me too. Is there a problem." the three teachers said one by one.
"I think I know what the problem is." Timothy said.
"Really Timothy? What do you think it is?" Monty asked.
"I think that Callie has been doing Kylie's work for her." He answered as matter of factly.
Lena's eyes widened at that statement. "You knew?"
"I suspected. But when I asked Callie she denied it." Timothy said while looking at both his bosses.
"She denied it? And how did you notice? Why didn't you come to me or Monty about it?" Monty asked him.
"Well when I confronted Callie about it she said that she wasn't doing her work. When I pointed out the similarity in there reports she just told me that she had helped her and was tutoring her. That that was why some of the work looked similar." Timothy said. He didn't necessarily believe her but if she didn't say anything there was nothing he could do.
"Well, I actually caught her doing a report that's due Monday for Kylie. She was worried she wasn't going to get it done on time and that if she wasn't able to go to school and give it to Kylie this Friday that she would hurt one of her siblings."
Hurt? So she's bullying her into doing her work?
That's what it looks like." Lena said sadly. "What can you three tell me about Kylie? When did you notice the change in her grades?" Then she looked at Mr. Frame. "You told me that Callie had started making friends and that ever since then, she has been a good influence on some of the other students. Is Kylie one of those students? Are there more than one?"
Timothy was the first to respond. "Kylie is the type of student that uses her moms position on the school board a lot. At least with me she has. She thinks that because of it we have to let her get away with things."
"That is not the way things work around here." Monty said angrily. How can a student use her mother's position on the school board to try and manipulate her teachers?
Timothy sighed. "I know that, but she has gone to her mother with a sob story about us teachers not helping or not understanding her, and her mother has come multiple times to the school trying to get teachers to change her grades. I have been very clear that whatever grade I have given her would be final because of all the opportunities I give students. My class is not black and white so the students are encouraged to have an opinion. The fact that Kylie never had one was the reason she was failing my class.
Mr. Frame then started. "I have had my fare share of Mrs. Sanders in my class as well. And yes, Kylie was the student I was referring to, her and her friends have been doing a lot better in my class these last few months." he then started thinking. "Come to think of it, I did see her talking to Callie a couple of times. The first time I was worried and I asked Callie about it. She said that they wanted to study with her and were trying to agree on a time to meet at the library. That's why I didn't say anything."
Lena spent the next 20 min talking with Callie's teachers and coming up with a plan. Monty was going to schedule a meeting with the Sanders and the fosters, Kylie was going to prove that she did all the work, and they were going to have to come up with a punishment if she's proven guilty.
As they were talking about the final details, Angie poked her head through the door. "Lena your kids are all here."
Lena looked at the time and excused herself. "Sorry but I have to go. I still have to get Callie something to eat and take the rest of my kids to a doctors appointment." She started to gather all her paperwork and her things. "We will talk more about this tomorrow. I won't be here all day but I will come by at some point during the day to pick up Callie's work and to pick up paperwork for me to do."
Ok well please keep us posted son how she's doing and if you and your family need anything.
"Thank you all very much. Me and my family appreciate all your good thoughts." Lena picked up all her stuff and made her may to the door. "I be by tomorrow and let you know when Callie will be back to school." And with that she left her office and walked towards her kids that were waiting for her.
Hey mama! Hows Callie doing? Jude was the first to see her and the first to speak.
Callie is doing a lot better. The rash is almost gone and the itching is too. She had a physical today and based on that they tell us when she can go home.
Really? That's great! Are we going to the hospital now? Can I see her before the appointment?
No, right now we're going home because your sister wants tomato soup and grilled cheese for lunch. I have some soup in the freezer so i just have to thaw it and heat it up, then make the grilled cheese. We also have to stop at the store. Callie wants ice cream for dessert so i have to buy her some.
Wait? Your buying her ice cream? Can we get some? Jesus asked
No not right now. We can stop and get some on Friday after school then have a movie night or something but not before. You guys still have school tomorrow.
"But Callie gets ice cream." Jesus says irritated.
"She's in the hospital duffus." Mariana says and swats him on the shoulder.
"Mariana! No name calling, and no hitting your brother." Then she looks at her son. "Jesus, Callie hasn't been able to eat much of anything because her throat was swollen and it hurt her. That is why she asked for soup and ice cream. The soup will be easy on her throat and the cold from the ice cream will help. So please no complaining. Your sister has gone through a lot these past few days." After that, they all made it to the car and got in.
On the way to the house Brandon called Lena. "Mama?"
"Yes B." Lena said glancing at her son.
"Are we getting those tests done today?" Brandon asked casually.
"Yes. that's what your appointments are for." Lena answered back. She could see that all her kids were a little nervous about this test. Hopefully everything comes out ok and none of them come out with any problems.
"Will Callie get hers today too?" Jude asked, but they were all waiting for her to answer.
"No honey. Callie can't get hers today because if they do the test and she ends up allergic to anything it could make her sick again. Plus she's on to much medication. It might alter the results." Lena told her kids.
"Ok." Jude sighed.
When she pulled up into the driveway she stopped her kids before they all exited the vehicle. "So listen. I want you all to put your stuff away. Also you each get to bring one thing to entertain yourselves. A handheld game, a book, E-readers, music, anything like that. The test takes a little time and if you react to anything it will distract you from the itching." All the kids nodded and then left the car.
Lena made her way into the kitchen and took out the soup from the freezer and started to thaw it. Then she pulled out all the stuff she needed to make the grilled cheese sandwiches. She decided to make 2 just in case Callie was really hungry.
At the hospital Callie and Stef were watching a movie on the laptop. Stef was laying on the hospital bed with Callie's head on her chest.
Hey mom? Callie said during the movie. She had wanted to know what was going to happen to Kylie but didn't know how to ask.
"Yeah sweets?" Stef said without taking her eyes off the screen.
"When can I go home?" Callie decided to ask instead.
"I'm not sure yet. That is something the doctor will decide based on the tests they have been doing." Stef said again without taking her eyes off the screen. She wanted her daughter to see that she wasn't worried.
"So we don't know if I'm going back home?" Callie asked quietly looking at her mother.
At this Stef paused the movie and turned a little to give her daughter her undivided attention. "No honey. You are most definitely going back home. Just not today and maybe not tomorrow. But trust me you will be home before you know it."
"And how about school?" Again Callie asked quietly. She was acting a little shy and she knew that her mom was going to notice something was wrong.
"That will be up to us and the doctor. You don't have to worry about it." Stef said confidently. She wanted to make sure Callie understood that she had to be well to go to school. Not just want to go.
"But I'll fall behind in class." Callie tried to get her point across.
"I'm sure mama will bring your work with her today. You can work on it after you eat." Stef said calmly.
At this Callie nodded. "I'm still hungry."
Stef smiled. "Yes love, I know. I can hear your stomach growling." Stef chuckled.
Callie blushed and hid her face in her moms chest. "I was hoping you couldn't hear it. Do you think she's really going to bring me ice cream?"
Stef once again shifted in bed so she was now facing her daughter. "Cal, I am completely positive she is going to bring you ice cream. Because even though you haven't said anything, we know that the reason you haven't been eating is because your throat still feels tight and it hurts when you swallow stuff that you have to chew. So she will bring the ice cream and the soup because she wants knows that it will be easier for you to eat it and it will make your throat feel better. She also wants you to be able to eat something substantial. And what they are giving you here isn't."
"You guys knew? How?" Callie asked wide was hoping they wouldn't notice. She didn't want to stay here longer than she had to. If she could convince them that she was ok maybe they would let her go home.
"Well everytime they bring you a pill you wince when you swallow it, and you have been drinking a lot of cold water." Stef said matter of factly.
"I guess I wasn't hiding it like I thought…" Callie whispered. Her eyes were fixed on her hands and she was blushing.
"We are moms. We know all." Stef said very seriously, while gaining a chuckle from Callie. She pressed play on the movie and cuddled with Callie again.
"Hey mom?" Callie tried again after a while.
"Yeah Bug?" Stef asked.
"What do you think is going to happen with Kylie?" Callie finally had the guts to ask.
"Oh honey I don't want you to worry about that. Whatever happens to her will be of her own making. She shouldn't have bullied you into doing her work." Stef said calmly. She didn't want her daughter to worry about that stuff. Her and Lena were going to make sure this girl never bothered any of their kids again.
"But mom it's ok. I didn't even do my best on it. Just enough for her to pass." Callie tried to justify herself.
"That still was more than you should. And to use you siblings? That's was just low." At this statement, Stef saw Callie look down. Like she did when she was hiding something or lying. "Callie, did she threaten your siblings?"
"Yes." Callie whispered.
"Is that all she did? Callie stayed silent and kept her eyes downcast. Callie I asked you a question." Stef said a little more forcefully.
"Mom I can't tell you. Please don't make me." Callie pleaded.
"Why can't you tell me?" Stef said quietly. She didn't want to startle her daughter and have her clam up again.
"Because…" Callie said hesitantly.
"Because what Callie?" Stef was really trying to stay calm. She didn't like where this was going.
"Please mom. Please don't make me." Callie almost cried
"Callie…" I really need to know. Stef insisted. She hugged her extra tight and comfort her. She needed the truth.
Callie closed her eyes and sighed. "She did threaten the others. But Jesus, Brandon and I stood up to her and we started to hang out with Jude and Mariana. So she never got the chance. Then one day after my physics class she stopped me and said that her mom was on the school board and that she heard her say on the phone that all she wanted was one reason to be able to fire mama. That if i did her work and stuff she wouldn't tell her mom to fire her."
"Oh Cal. She can't fire mama just because her daughter wants her to. It's not the way it works." Stef said to her daughter.
"I know that but she said she was going to make sure she had a good reason." Callie said . She was starting to get agitated.
"Ok Cal, calm down. It's ok. Everything will be ok. I'm sure mama has talked with your teachers and Monty. They are probably investigating and coming up with a plan.
But mom! That's what I'm afraid of. I don't want mama to get involved. What if this lady decides that she can use this to fire mama?
"Oh bug." Stef hugged Callie tight. "Mama is a big girl, and she's your mama. For you she would slay a dragon." Stef said hoping to get her daughter to smile. But all Callie did was take a deep breath. "Look sweets, your mama and I will back you up in everything you need. We will stand by you for the rest of your life. We will protect you from everything humanly possible. You don't have to protect mama and I. Stef looked a Callie in the eye to make sure she was paying attention. "You just have to be a kid. Let us be the parents, the protectors. Let us take care of you. It's not your job to protect us. You have to understand that what Kylie is doing is not right, that using mama's job and threatening your siblings to make you do her work is wrong. The moment this happened you should have told us. You should have come to us and let us handle it."
By this point Callie was silently crying. She knew her mom was right. She knew, but she couldn't help it. She couldn't help wanting to help, wanting to protect.
"Cal, do you understand what I just told you?" Stef asked sternly.
Callie nodded her head and looked down at her hands, fidgeting nervously.
Stef lifted Callie face by her chin so they could make eye contact. "No sweets. Use your words. Did you understand everything we just talked about?"
Again Callie nodded, she then remembered that stef wanted a verbal answer. "Yes. but mom?"
"Yes bug." Stef saw that whatever her Callie girl wanted to say was important to the teen.
"I can't help it." Callie said quietly. If Stef hadn't been sitting next to her in the bed she might have missed it.
"Oh honey." Stef put her hands on both sides of Callie's face and kissed her forehead. "I know it's hard, when for such a long time, all you did was protect. I know that this protective streak is a very admirable characteristic of your beautiful personality. And I'm not asking you to change. I wouldn't ask that of you. What I do want, no, need you to do, is ask for help. I need that when you find yourself in these types of situations, you come to me or mama. That's what we're here for. To help and support you. Ok?" She was looking straight into her eyes. She knew this has always been a struggle for her. But she was getting better. She was asking for help with the small stuff, but the big stuff was still a struggle. And this was something they were working towards.