Page 10 of Gifts

Donkey Whisperer

Keelie

I get up from my desk and walk across the counseling center to Tom Logan’s office.

Tom is younger than me by at least five years and landed this job when our long-term counselor had to retire for health reasons. Tom was a middle school teacher in the district who recently got his Master’s in counseling.

Tom counsels the end of the alphabet for the student body and manages both Beth and Maggie. I knock on his open door when I see him typing away on his phone. “Hey. I need to talk to you about Maggie Stockton and Beth Thorton.”

He’s distracted and finishes typing on his screen before looking up. “What about ‘em?”

“I had to look into them because of an issue with another student and noticed they’ve had a lot of absences lately—excused and otherwise. They’re both gone today, but have had too many similar absences to be a coincidence. Would you mind calling their parents and checking in on it?”

He looks at me curiously. “If they were called in, I’m sure it’s fine.”

I sigh. “Please? I think it warrants a call to their parents.”

He doesn’t look excited but agrees. “Sure. I’ll look into it.”

I hate telling someone how to do their job, so I try to justify myself. “The students are still reeling from the accident. Sure, kids are going to skip class—it can’t be stopped. But nothing good comes of it, and now more than ever, we need to keep a close eye on every single one of them.”

He gives me a small smile. “I agree.”

“I appreciate it.”

When I get back to my office, I give myself a pep-talk for the next agenda item on my to-do list.

He was just here yesterday and he’s a parent. I shouldn’t be anxious to talk to him. I pick up my office phone and dial.

Quicker than I expected, his deep, warm voice greets me. “Hollingsworth.”

“Hello.” I take a breath before continuing. “Mr. Hollingsworth, this is—”

His voice dips as he interrupts me. “Keelie. I thought we were on a first name basis.”

I close my eyes and give in. “Yes, sorry. Asa.”

“That’s better.” I hear a smile in his voice and all I can think about are those interesting little lines around his hazel eyes when it happens.

Shaking off my thoughts, I start in about Emma, explaining that for the most part her teachers have seen a similar behavior to what he has seen at home. She’s quieter, distant, and withdrawn compared to the beginning of the year. I relayed that her teachers don’t see her with the group of peers she used to hang out with, and they’re having trouble getting her to participate in class.

I’ve lost the smile in his voice, now being replaced with silence.

I lean back in my chair and keep talking. “I’m still working on the friend issue. Don’t give up on me yet. Let me see what comes from that. We can set up the conferences now, but maybe we should wait until we figure out what all this is stemming from.”

I hear some funny noises in the background, like he’s outside, when my email alerts me. It’s from Tom, stating both Maggie and Beth’s excused absences are legit.

So weird.

“If you think that’s best. You’ll let me know what you can?” Asa asks.

“Absolutely. I’ll call you as soon as I find anything.”

“Thanks.” I hear him sigh, and right when I’m about to say goodbye, he adds, “Tomorrow’s Saturday.”

I try not to smile, but it’s hard. “Since today’s Friday, tomorrow’s definitely Saturday.”

“I can try to make it a good one if you let me.”

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