Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
I can see Sylvie is struggling not to be charmed by the kind principal and her smile slips a little as she nods.
Marcie glances over her shoulder at me. “I can give Sylvie the tour and take her on to her first class. You’re more than welcome to join us or if you need to get off to work…”
She gives me an out with that, allowing me the chance to escape back to the world I know and love, despite its challenges. I should go.
Instead, I find myself saying, “I wouldn’t mind a tour of the school.”
Marcie straightens and beams a brilliant smile that dazzles me. “Excellent. We’ll do the tour, escort Sylvie to her first class and then you and I can take a few moments to talk about what she hopes to accomplish the rest of this year.”
♦
“And this is going to be your classroom,” Marcie says as we stop outside a closed door with a thin rectangular pane of glass that allows you to see inside. Desks are grouped together in sets of four and all the kids are working with their heads down, pencils moving furiously over paper. Sylvie glances in and I can see over her head a young male teacher standing at a whiteboard talking. “Mr. Bartlett is your teacher. He’s taught at Shelbyville Primary for two years. I have it on good authority he’s one of the funniest teachers here.”
Marcie waits to see if that will elicit a reaction from Sylvie, who has been quiet during the tour, although she has in no way been taciturn the way she has been with me or my family.
I can see that Marcie has questions and concerns regarding my daughter. She turns to me and asks, “Do you think you can find your way back to the reception area? I’ll meet you there and we can have a few minutes to chat in my office. I’ll see that Sylvie gets settled in.”
“Sure,” I say, and immediately feel awkward because I don’t know what to do. Marcie probably expects me to give my daughter a hug, but I know Sylvie would be horrified by any overt sign of affection. It leaves me in the untenable situation of trying to come up with a plan on the fly. Awkwardly, I put a hand on her shoulder and squeeze. “Good luck on your first day. I’m sure you will do great.”
Marcie beams at the gesture but to my utter shock, Sylvie throws her arms around me, taking advantage of the fact I’d bent down slightly. Her arms wrap around my shoulders and I start to wrap her up in a hug, the natural reaction to such a gesture. She presses her temple to mine, lips near my ear, and says, “I despise you. I’ll never forgive you for any of this.”
I’m so shocked I release her and almost stumble back. She flashes a toothy grin, which I understand is completely for Marcie’s benefit, followed by a jaunty wave. “See you after school.”
Marcie gives me a bright smile and opens the door to the classroom, leading my daughter inside. When the door closes, I exhale a massive sigh of relief to be away from Sylvie for a few minutes, frustrated that she’s rattled me so much.
The receptionist shows me into Marcie’s office to wait for her return. I pace around, unable to sit still. Barely five minutes pass from the time I left Marcie until she is walking back into her office, apologizing for taking so long. “Sorry about that. I hung around outside the door and nosily watched to see how she settled in. That young lady has some issues.”
I blink in surprise that she picked that up. While quiet, Sylvie had been very pleasant toward the school principal and there’s no way Marcie overheard the vicious things she said.
She must see the surprised look on my face because she goes on to explain, “I know a little bit about the circumstances of why she is with you. The head of school for Prescott Academy called to discuss her transition.”
“Well, that was nice of him,” I mutter.
“Her,” Marcie clarifies. “Their head of school is a female. But yes, that was very nice of her to do so. I understand that Sylvie has only been with you a few days and that she lost her mother not long ago.”
I wonder just how well-informed Marcie is. “Have you lived in Shelby County all your life?”
Shakes her head. “Originally from just outside of Louisville. I moved here after I married and stayed after I divorced. But I’ve been here long enough that I’ve heard the stories about the tensions between your family and the Mardraggons. I’m assuming that has bled into your relationship with Sylvie.”
I snort. Hard. “There is no relationship. She’s been in my home for two days now, Lionel and Rosemund Mardraggon have clearly filled her head with stuff, and the child refuses to have an honest conversation with me or anyone in my family.”