Chapter 2
Narrated by Shelly Cope.
Charlie Swan was a quiet, observant man; that's why he made a good police chief.
Over the week since his Izzy had started school, he watched her become more and more withdrawn. Gone was the little whirlwind Charlie loved seeing charging all over the place. She hadn't bothered with her bike. Or even the little bird that had fallen out of his nest. No more singing at the top of her voice.
Charlie sat in his office, trying to catch up with paperwork. He had fallen behind as he was taking Izzy to and from school. Not that he minded. Renee was too busy with her new interest to remember to take Izzy to school. She seldom remembered to pick her up. There was a knock on his door. He went to the door seeing Mrs. Webber standing there.
It disturbed him to hear what she had to say. But all the puzzle pieces fell into place. He was angry to think someone could hurt his little girl like that.
Charlie never had many dealings with the Gerandy family. Their kids were in school when he started to work in the police department. They were good kids, as far as he knew.
But now, as far as he was concerned, Mrs. Gerandy had crossed the line.
His next step was to talk to the Cullen's to see how their boy was doing and visit the school's new principal.
~T&I~
"You're going to be fine now, Izzy, I promise," Charlie reassured.
"But I don't like that it's been just Teddy and me. Everyone else gets to sit in fours or sixes at their table. When Teddy and I put our hands up, Mrs. Gerandy doesn't help us. We both hate recess. We don't get to play with anything. Mickey and his friends are mean to Teddy about the thing on his face. Then Micky said he's in charge of the jungle gym and we can't go on it. Teddy doesn't even know how to swing on the bar's daddy. No one has ever shown him. He has brothers, and they haven't shown him. Every kid needs to know how to swing and stuff, daddy. I gotta show him," Izzy replied as she gulped air.
"Your right there, kiddo; every kid needs to know that stuff. Let me do your hair, and then we can leave before you're late," Charlie said.
"Can I have my ribbons in my hair? I want pigtails," Izzy asked.
"I'll do my best," Charlie chuckled.
"Daddy, where is mommy?" Izzy inquired.
"Mommy left early this morning to go to Port Angeles. She's learning how to make jewellery," Charlie reassured.
"Okay," Izzy whispered as her shoulders fell.
"Come on, kiddo, that's your hair done; get your bag and lunch. I'll let you sit in the back of the cruiser," Charlie instructed.
Izzy sat in the back of the cruiser nervously, pulling on the straps of her bag while looking out of the window, quietly dreading going to school. She saw her daddy looking at her through the mirror stuck to the window.
"Daddy, will you be coming to pick me up tonight after school?" Izzy asked.
"Your mommy should be home by then, so she will come and get you. Please don't spend your day worrying about it. They will call me if she's not home in time," Charlie replied.
"Okay, daddy, I won't," Izzy whispered.
"Come on, kiddo, I'll walk you in," Charlie said as he opened the back door of the cruiser.
"Izzy, wait for me!" Teddy shouted from his mommy's car.
"Hi, Teddy. Did you have a good time at your brother's party?" Izzy asked.
"It was good when we ate. I went home with my Gran and Pops to sleep 'cause all Jazzy's friends came. They don't like little kids hanging around," Teddy replied. "They do kissy-face and stuff like that. One time some of them took their clothes off swimming in our pool without even wearing their swimming shorts."
"That's yucky. They're going to have to remember they will get cooties doing kissy-face," Izzy answered. "Are you ready for the spelling test?"
"Yes, Rosie was helping me. Have you been practicing?" Teddy inquired.
"Yes, my daddy helped me, and so did Claire at the station. I went to work with daddy 'cause my mommy didn't come home," Izzy replied.
"Charlie, if you need anyone to watch Izzy while you're at work, she's welcome to come over to play with Teddy. If Carlisle and I are working, one of the boys looks after him," Esme advised.
"I don't want to put you out, Esme," Charlie replied.
"You're not putting anyone out. Teddy doesn't have anyone to play with; he spends too much time on his own. It will do them both good," Esme said, smiling.
"Mommy, come on, everyone has gone in. We will be late," Teddy yelled.
"Teddy, I'm standing behind you, not down the street," Esme laughed.
"Sorry, mommy," Teddy whispered.
"That would be helping me out if you're sure it's no trouble," Charlie replied.
"Not at all; it would be helping us both out, really," Esme answered.
"I'm hoping after my visit with the principal, she might have done something about the kids sitting away from the other kids," Charlie quietly said to Esme.
"Mrs. Biers is new in town, but she seems like a reasonable woman. She came to the office with her cat to have her yearly check up," Esme replied.
They all went into the classroom to be met by Mrs. Gerandy.
"Isabella and Edward, I've been waiting for you both," Mrs. Gerandy said with a forced smile. "We have a change in seating today. We have a new member of the class so I thought you might like to sit with him. Angela will also be joining you at this table."
"Come on, Izzy, let's put your bags and lunch box away, then you can sit at your new table," Charlie encouraged.
"Teddy, come on, sit with Izzy and Angela at your new table," Esme instructed.
"I'm sitting next to Izzy," Teddy insisted.
"Hello honey, what's your name?" Esme asked; the boy stood with his mom.
"His name is Ben; he's shy," Ben's mom replied.
"I think most of the children at the table are shy," Esme said.
"All but my Izzy, she will make up for all of you," Charlie chuckled.
"Everyone, sit down at your tables so we can start our day," Mrs. Gerandy shouted.
"I think this is our cue to leave," Esme laughed.
Watching all the parents leave, Mrs. Gerandy began the day, "Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning Mrs. Gerandy." The class echoed.
"Everyone, take your places on the carpet. Then we can meet the new member of our class," Mrs. Gerandy requested.
Mrs. Gerandy had Ben stand next to her.
"Everyone, this is Ben. He's new to the school and he's come to join our class." Mrs. Gerandy introduced.
"He lives across the street from me," Austin excitedly said, "Come and sit with us, Ben."
"Ben, you need to sit with your table partners, for now, honey," Mrs. Webber encouraged.
"Today we are going to talk about the jobs our parents have. I know some of you only have one of your parents working. If your mommy or daddy stays at home, they are called homemakers, which is also an important job. As Ben is new, we will start with him," Mrs. Gerandy encouraged.
"My mom stays at home. My dad talks about people who have been hurt by bad people. The bad people sometimes go into prison."
"Is he a police officer Ben?" Mrs. Gerandy asked.
"No. he has an office, though. His new office is bigger than his older one. Ummm, it's called a distant torney," Ben said proudly.
"He's the new district attorney," Mrs. Gerandy said.
"Angela."
"My daddy is the minister, and my mommy stays at home."
"Tyler."
"Daddy's a teacher at the high school, and my mommy is a teacher here."
"Jessica."
"Daddy is important, he's the Mayor, and my mommy doesn't work because she's important like my daddy."
"Austin."
"Daddy works at the mill. Mommy works at the shop."
"Lauren."
"Mommy's at home."
"Lottie"
"Daddy's a policeman and mommy's a nurse."
"Samantha."
"Grandma's at home."
"Where's your mommy and daddy?" Jessica demanded.
"Jessica, we don't ask questions like that," Mrs. Grandy snapped.
"Collin."
"They have the diner."
"Kimberlie."
"Daddy's at the mill, and mommy cleans other people's houses."
"Cora."
"My daddy is the person who does everything at the supermarket. And mommy does everything with the money there."
"Micky."
"My mommy and daddy have the store for tents and things."
"James."
"My daddy's not at home anymore, and my mommy works at night, but I don't know what she does."
"Rachel and Rebecca."
"Daddy's at the mill all day. Mommy works at a shop when he comes home," Rachel said.
"Bobby."
"They are both at the mill."
"Siobhan."
"Mommy's, at home and she talks to people on the extra phone. We can't answer that phone if it rings though. Daddy doesn't live with us."
"Brady,"
"Mommy is a typing lady with the school office. My daddy gets people in his ambulance and takes them to the hospital to Teddy's daddy."
"Isabella."
"Daddy's a police chief, and my mommy's at home sometimes."
"Are you sure she doesn't work, Isabella? She never brings you or meets you from school."
"No, she doesn't work. She's a learner."
Mrs. Gerandy looked over her glasses and mumbled, "That's what she calls it."
"Edward."
"Daddy's, a doctor at the hospital. Mommy is a vet."
"So, everyone's mommy and daddy have different jobs. I would like you to draw and color a picture of your mommies and daddies in their work clothes. Don't forget it's okay to draw your mommy or daddy in anything they wear around the house. Once you have finished, we can put your drawings on the wall under the pictures of your family. Everyone, sit back in your seats." Mrs. Gerandy instructed.
The whole class sat and began to draw pictures of their parents. You could hear the chatter of the children as they talked amongst themselves.
"Teddy, what's that on your face?" Ben whispered.
"It's a mark from when I was born. My mommy has one on her back, and my brother Jazzy has one on his bootie," Teddy replied.
"Will it ever go away," Angela asked.
"No, but it could get be less dark when I get to be bigger," Teddy answered.
"That's good, then Micky will leave you alone," Angela added.
Ben looked up at Izzy as she was humming a song to herself, suddenly she began to sing. Like she tends to do when she concentrates.
"Isabella Swan how many times do you need telling. You keep this up and I will send you to the principal and you will lose your recess," Mrs. Grandy yelled.
With tears in her eyes, Izzy looked down and continued to draw.
The class went quiet then a few of them giggled, and everyone looked over at Izzy.
A few minutes later, the talking began again.
"Are you okay, Izzy?" Mrs. Webber asked.
Not looking up, she just nodded her head.
"You are very good at drawing," Mrs. Webber added.
Again, Izzy never looked up from her picture. She was silent until recess.
"Come on, Izzy, it will be okay," Teddy tried to comfort her. He hated it when she got upset like this.
"Teddy, Izzy, do you want to play with Ben and me?" Angela asked.
"What are you going to play?" Teddy asked.
"Hopscotch," Angela replied.
"Teddy can't jump too much because he has a bad foot. We will play tic tac toe. Thank you for asking us," Izzy answered.
"Izzy are you really alright because you usually talk more," Teddy whispered.
"I don't like coming to school. Mrs. Gerandy doesn't like me very much. Daddy won't let me stay at home," Izzy shared.
"It will be okay," Teddy said, hugging Izzy.
"Look at Izzy. She has different socks on," Micky shouted as he and his friends surrounded them.
"Go away, Micky," Teddy replied.
"No, Izzy's stupid, she can't even get dressed properly," Micky continued to shout, pushing Izzy off the bench she was sitting on.
"I have another pair like this at home. Just leave us alone, Micky," Izzy replied, trying not to cry.
"You wear stupid boots as well," Jimmy added.
"All her clothes look stupid. She's weird, just like her mommy. That's what my mommy said," laughed Bobby.
"One of Teddy's shoes is bigger than the other. They are both stupid," Tyler giggled.
Mrs. Gerandy blew the whistle indicating the end of recess.
As the children filed into the class, Teddy got pushed over by Jessica.
~T&I~
"This is Miss. Casey; she is going to be doing P.E lessons with you. Get changed and line up at the door," Mrs. Gerandy instructed.
"Mrs. Webber, would you like to join us," Miss. Cassey asked.
Mrs. Gerandy sighed with relief that she wouldn't have to deal with the class for the next hour. Picking up her coffee mug, she went down to the staff room; most of the other teachers stayed in their classrooms, but she couldn't wait to leave.
Mrs. Casey divided the class into teams of four. They started by doing jumping jacks and star jumps. Then, they went on to throw hoops over a stick. Throwing a ball across to each other. Learning how to throw and catch.
Halfway through the lesson, Micky asked to go to the bathroom. Instead of going to the bathroom, he went back into the classroom. Picking up his, Tyler's, Siobhan's, and Jessica's shoes. He stuffed them into Izzy's bag and cubie hole.
The hour soon was over, and the kids all went back to the classroom with smiles on their faces.
"Did you all have a good time," asked Mrs. Gerandy.
"Yes, Mrs. Gerandy," the class said.
"Once you have changed, take a seat at your tables. Then we will go through and get lunch," Mrs. Gerandy instructed.
"I can't find my shoes," Jessica said.
"Mine's not here either," Tyler added.
"Put your hand up if your shoes are missing," Mrs. Gerandy growled.
Micky, Tyler, Siobhan, and Jessica put up their hands.
"Who moved these shoes? It's not how we behave in my class. Now I want everyone to look around to see if anyone can find them," Mrs. Gerandy shouted.
Children scurried around looking when Micky called. "They're here, Mrs. Gerandy, in Izzy's cubbies. Mine is sticking out of her bag."
Mrs. Gerandy stormed across the classroom.
"Isabella, are you responsible for moving these shoes. Do you think it's funny?" Mrs. Grandy growled shaking her.
"I didn't do anything. Micky was the one who left the lesson to go to the bathroom," Izzy protested.
"I'll speak to Miss. Casey, about this. Give me your shoes," Mrs. Gerandy snarled. "The rest of you put on your shoes and get ready to go to lunch."
With tears in her eyes, Izzy gave Mrs. Gerandy her boots.
"I will be keeping these until the end of the day. Then you will see what it would have been like for your class friends not to have shoes to wear," Mrs. Gerandy snarled.
~T&I~
Home time came, and parents came to pick up their children.
"Who is supposed to be picking you up, Isabella? I have things to do. I don't have time to call someone to come and get you. Your parents know what time school finishes. Why is it always you that I must run around after?" Mrs. Gerandy ranted, grabbing Izzy's arm, and pulling her towards the door?
"Stay in the car Teddy," Esme instructed.
Rushing from the car going towards the kindergarten door.
"Mrs. Gerandy, you don't have to worry. Izzy is coming home with me tonight," Esme said through clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you take her without permission from her parents," Mrs. Gerandy replied.
"If you check with the office. You will see Chief Swan has given permission for my husband and me to pick up Izzy," Esme responded. "Are you ready, Izzy? Teddy is already in the car." Esme took Izzy's hand.
"Doctor Teddy's mommy, where is my mommy?" Izzy asked.
"I don't know, sweetheart, she must be running late. Let's get you into the car with Teddy," Esme replied.
Izzy was quiet in the car, going back to the Cullen's home. Esme could now see why Charlie was worried about her. An adult with authority bullying a small child. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would have found it difficult to believe.
"Did you both have fun at school today?" Esme asked.
"We drew pictures of our mommies and daddies with their work clothes. Izzy is good at drawing," Teddy said. "Mrs. Gerandy told Izzy that she was going to send her to Mrs. Biers. Because she was singing when we were drawing our pictures. It wasn't loud, and everyone else was talking."
"I always sing when I draw, and I didn't know I was even singing," Izzy whispered.
"While we had gym lesson, someone went into the classroom and hid some of the shoes. Mrs. Gerandy blamed Izzy even though she never left the lesson. Mrs. Gerandy put Izzy's shoes on top of a cupboard, and she wasn't allowed to wear shoes all day. Izzy tried to climb to get them, but she couldn't reach them. I was scared she might fall." Teddy repeated.
"You've had your shoes off all day, Izzy," Esme asked, horrified.
"Micky poured juice into Izzy's lunch box, and most of Izzy's food was wet. We shared my food between us," Teddy added.
"Did you tell anyone, Izzy?" Esme questioned.
"No," Izzy replied.
"I'll make you a snack as soon as we get home. Then I'll let your dad know you're at our house," Esme told them both.
As they pulled into the drive, Emmett and Rose were getting out of Emmett's jeep.
"Hey squirt, what's the matter?" Emmett asked as he picked Izzy up, hugging her.
"Mrs. Gerandy has been nasty to her, then took her shoes off. Then Micky put juice in her lunch box," Teddy informed.
"No way can anyone be allowed to bully a little kid," Emmett growled.
"They must be stupid to pick on the Chief's daughter," Rose added.
"Bring her in so I can make you all a snack," Esme instructed.
Emmett continued to nurse Izzy while they all ate. Esme left to call Charlie to tell him what she had learned.
The door burst open, and Jasper came storming into the house. Alice followed him.
"Jazzy, you're going to have to calm down. Until you have proof, you can't accuse him," Alice yelled.
"Oh, I can when he was gloating about what he's done," Jazz replied.
"What happened?" Rose asked.
"Sean Wells backed his car into mine. He crushed the back bumper. According to the Chief, it was on private property, and he can't do anything about it," Jasper informed.
"Jasper, calm down, let your dad and I sort it out. I'll call the school to see if they have CCTV that might have recorded it," Esme said.
"He's on my shit list now," Jazz ranted.
"Emmy, what's a hit list?" Izzy enquired.
"No, honey, it's a shit list," Emmett whispered.
"But what is it?" Izzy asked.
"It's something that people can have when someone has upset them or done something to them," Emmett replied.
"Can I buy one from the store?" Izzy questioned.
"No, sweetie, it's not something you buy. It's something you remember. You can write it down, but if you do something to get them back, your dad might see it, and you will get into trouble. It's best to remember," Emmett replied.
"Okay," Izzy said.
"If you've had enough to eat, we can go and play in my room," Teddy said.
"Yes, I'm finished," Izzy replied.
Getting off Emmett's knee, she hugged him. Taking Teddy's hand, they walked hand in hand to Teddy's room.
~T&I~
Over a coffee in the Cullen's kitchen, Esme and Carlisle told Charlie what they had learned about the kid's day.
"Let me get this right, Izzy was drawing, and she started to sing. But not loudly. Mrs. Gerandy was going to send her to the principal. Then she took her shoes from her, and she's had nothing but her socks on most of the day. The Newton kid spilled a drink in her lunch, and Izzy didn't tell anyone. Then tonight, Mrs. Gerandy yelled at her and pulled her by the arm," Charlie said.
"That's about as much as Teddy told us. They played by themselves again. Although Angela asked them to play hopscotch. They said no because Teddy can't manage to jump that much," Carlisle replied.
"Chief, if you can't do anything, I'll take this to the school board," Emmett growled. "She has no business teaching."
"What has Mrs. Gerandy got against Teddy and Izzy?" Jasper wondered.
"Do you think she has done this to other kids? Maybe she should think about retiring," Rose said.
"She was fine with Jazz and me," Emmett added.
"I never saw her being nasty to any other kid that I can remember," Jasper offered.
But Alice was quiet, and Charlie noticed her eyes watering.
"Are you okay Alice?" Charlie asked.
"She picked on me all the time. It was because I was small, and the other kids would knock me over," Alice added, wiping a tear away that had fallen.
"That makes it sound like she doesn't like students that are different than other students," Esme mused.
"What do you mean, mom?" Rose asked.
"Well, Alice was small for her age. Teddy has medical issues, and then Izzy is a little spitfire," Esme replied.
"Renee thinks she has ADHD," Charlie huffed.
"She doesn't, so don't worry about that, Charlie. People are too quick to put labels on kids. Her pediatrician would have picked up on it," Carlisle reassured. "You're going to have to make an appointment to see the principal but go as Izzy's father, not the Chief."
"That will be hard," Charlie answered.
No one mentioned the fact that it was six at night, and Renee was not with Charlie. Did she even care about Izzy?
~T&I~
The next day Charlie made an appointment with the principal, but she was out of school for the day.
Charlie found it hard not to say anything to Mrs. Gerandy when he dropped Izzy off that morning. Izzy never let go of Charlies' hand; it took some coaching to make her stay.
As promised, the meeting with the principal took place on Friday at lunch. Esme, Carlisle, and Alice accompanied Charlie.
The principal was shocked to hear that students were getting bullied by a member of her staff and promised to do something about it.
It was Friday evening, and Renee turned up to pick up Izzy.
As they got to the car Izzy stopped walking.
"Mommy, I left my lunchbox in school. Will you come with me to get it?" Izzy asked.
"No, stop being a baby. Go and get it. If you take too long, you can walk home," Renee snapped, answering her ringing cell.
Izzy hurried into the school, hoping not to get into trouble with Mrs. Gerandy.
When she got to the classroom, she saw Mrs. Gerandy was in the store cupboard.
Izzy grabbed her lunch box. She looked at the cupboard door, then pushed it close, locked it, dropping the key on the floor.
She heard Mrs. Gerandy shouting and banging on the door as she ran out of school.
That is someone to cross off her shit list.
Thanks as always to my pre-reader Kellie (Klcivinski)
Donna (EdwardsFirstKiss) for editing the chapter and making it readable.
Any mistakes are all mine.