Page 27 of His Loving Wife

There’s something strange about being on school grounds after hours. Kate always felt that way, ever since she had her first lock-in at her elementary gymnasium. Now an educator, she still felt that eerie sensation whenever a midterm or final exam kept her on campus later than usual. And she felt it now, sitting in the narrow hallway of Hidden Oaks Elementary, waiting to meet with Noah’s teacher.

Across from her, the classroom door opened. Ms. Peterson entered the hallway, waiting as the couple before her left. Everyone was smiling and nodding, offering well wishes for the upcoming Christmas holiday. After the couple was a few feet down the hallway, Ms. Peterson turned and held out her hand to Kate.

“Mrs. Brooks?”

“Yes.” Kate struggled to jerk her hand from beneath her winter coat and briefcase in order to shake Ms. Peterson’s. “Thanks for agreeing to meet me late.”

“Not a problem,” she said, nodding for Kate to follow her inside the classroom. “You’re also an educator, correct?”

“I teach creative writing at the local community college.”

“Exciting,” she said, sitting behind a desk. “I always say I’m going to write the next great American novel one of these days.”

Kate smiled tightly.

“And will Mr. Brooks be joining us?”

Kate cleared her throat. “He’s busy running errands with the kids.”

“That time of year, isn’t it?”

“We’re a bit like ships passing in the night these days.” She added a chuckle, so it came across as a joke, even though there was more truth in the statement than she preferred to admit.

“Let’s talk about Noah.” Ms. Peterson cupped her hands together. “Very bright student.”

“He is. Noah is our easy one. His sister is just as smart, but we always have to push her to complete her work.”

Kate pinched herself. There she was again, comparing Willow to Noah. She didn’t mean to. Maybe it was a repercussion of having two children. Especially two children so distinct.

“I was surprised you wanted to meet,” Kate continued. “His grades are high. Like I said, he doesn’t give us much trouble.”

Being a professor, Kate rarely dealt with her students’ parents. When she did have consultations, it was always with students who were in danger of failing. She’d been asked to meet with Willow’s teachers over the years, but it never had to do with grades. It was usually about punctuality or back talking or skipping class.

Ms. Peterson smiled. “Noah’s certainly not trouble. But I do have concerns.” Her smile deflated. She placed her hands on the table. “Has Noah talked to you about anything that’s been going on at school?”

Kate wiggled in her seat. “No. I mean, he tells me about his classes.”

“Does he tell you about his classmates?”

“Noah is very much an introvert. He pretty much pals around with the same group of kids he’s been with since kindergarten.”

“He does seem to have one or two close friends. However, he’s had a few issues with some of his other classmates. They’ve been giving him a hard time.”

“A hard time?”

“Saying things to him during class, in between class change. There have been a few incidents during recess. One day a male teacher found Noah crying in the bathroom.”

The image of her bright, beautiful son balled up in a bathroom stall was enough to make Kate want to cry or lash out at someone. She wished Andrew were here with her. Firstly, because she didn’t want to be alone. Secondly, because she didn’t want to share this information later.

“He’s not said a word to me about any of this. Are you saying Noah is being bullied?”

“He’s at the right age for it. Thankfully, the politics surrounding bullying have gotten better over the years. People no longer look at it as child’s play.”

“But why? What are they giving him a hard time about?”

Kate was biased, sure. But when the image of Noah, her son, came into her mind, all she could see was his sweet face. She thought of his wit and playful sense of humor. The idea someone was targeting him—making him cry!—pained her in a way that was difficult to explain.

“Noah is an exemplary student. He’s kind, generous. All those things put him on the right track for being a decent human being. Unfortunately, he’s also a bit passive. It makes him a target for more aggressive types.”

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