Page 34 of The Falcon and the Foe

“Okay. We can work on that. Numbers aren’t for everyone. They’re not for me, even though I man a cash register.” I laughed to break up the tension, but she only humored me with a half-smile. “I’m surprised his teacher didn’t pick up on his trouble with addition and subtraction last year.”

“They might have, and it’s something a lot of kids struggle with.”

“Can something be done?” My heart hung heavy in my chest.

“I’m continuing to work with Josh when I can, but I know students get embarrassed about receiving extra help from the teacher, so they can be resistant.”

“If Josh is acting that way, I will tell him to stop.” I pounded my fist into my palm for emphasis, and her eyes jumped. “Not like that.” I folded my hands on my lap.

“Many of the parents use outside school resources like tutors or after school learning centers. But something as simple as going over his homework with him, taking the extra time to review lessons at home. Parents who are available and engaged with their kids are the best proponent for success. How often do you go over homework with him?”

My tongue went cotton-ball dry in my mouth. “What do you mean...I mean, I...I check to make sure he completed his homework.”

“But do you check if it’s right or if he had any trouble?”

After I picked him up from Edith’s, I would ask if he did his homework as I culled together dinner. He said yes, and I left it at that, then we’d eat, and he played video games before bed. Then once he went to sleep, I’d go down to my recording studio to do my voiceover work. The cumulative exhaustion seeped into my bones night after night so that these things Mrs. Flaherty were suggesting that seemed like common sense went over my head. Some days, I forgot to ask Josh if he had any homework. I just assumed he did it and did it well.

This had gone from parent-teacher chat to police interrogation. The fluorescent lights seared into my skin and blinded my vision. Weren’t cops supposed to ask if you wanted a glass of water?

“I’ve also noticed that Josh is having trouble reading. Do you read together?”

“I didn’t know he was having any problems. His other teachers never said anything.”

“Do you ever see him reading?”

“I, uh…he reads the nutrition label on foods.” I let out a weak laugh. Another joke that fell flat. This whole conversation was one sad trombone.

“I just think that,” she waved her hands around, trying to pull words out of thin air. “Josh could benefit from a more focused, productive environment at home.”

“What does that mean?”

“I get the impression that things can be a little erratic at your house.” Her hands struggled to find more words like she was Hermione casting a freaking spell.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Again, what do you mean?”

“I know that you work unpredictable hours.” She gestured at my market uniform. “And Josh may be alone after school.”

“He’s not. He’s with a neighbor.”

“He could benefit from more structure, perhaps. And I know that’s probably hard being a single-parent home, but—”

“What’s that supposed to mean? He’d be doing better in a two-parent household?”

“Well, I have seen children of single parents struggle at times. It’s only natural since the child will have to fend for himself at times.”

“Fend for himself?”

“Look, Josh is quiet, reserved. I don’t see him making a lot of friends in class. He mostly keeps to himself, does some drawing. Stares out the window.”

“Well, that’s a sign of genius. Maybe you aren’t that stimulating of a teacher.”

She winced at the dig, her sunny disposition taking a hit before she gathered herself again. “Josh is a good kid. But there’s only so much we can do here at school to help him. I don’t want to see him fall behind any further. The school year will only get more challenging.”

A creaking sound from the hallway caught our attention. The door moved slightly, and behind it was Russ. His eyes bulged in panic for a split-second before he played it cool and continued walking. As if this conversation couldn’t get worse. I wanted to sink into the floor.

“Thank you for the feedback, Mrs. Flaherty.”

“I care about Josh. He really is wonderful, and he has a lot of potential. We can both help him get there.”

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