Page 53 of Leo
“Have you called Ambrose yet?”she asked, sinking down in the front passenger seat.
“Texted him,” I said.“Come on, I don’t trust you to wait in the car for me.”
“I’m not going anywhere!”
“Like I said, I don’t trust you.”
Bethany set her jaw like she was going to argue, but after a growling sigh, she flung the car door open and stomped toward the school.We checked in at the principal’s office and waited for Ms.Webb to come get the show and tell project for Edward.The entire time, Bethany was staring straight ahead, arms folded tight across her middle.
Ms.Webb hurried into the office and stopped mid-step when she saw me standing next to Bethany.“Oh.I… was under the impression Edward was an only child?”
“He is.This is my… my boyfriend’s sister,” I said flatly.“She’s running errands with me today.”
Ms.Webb narrowed her eyes.“How old is she?Isn’t she supposed to be in school?”Ms.Webb took half a step toward the secretary’s desk.“You’re a student at the high school, right?You look too old for the middle school.”
“I’m on work release,” Bethany said pertly.
“Work study,” I hissed.“Work release is for prisoners.”
“I said what I said.I’m on workstudy.Mr.Morris is letting me work in the office of the funeral home for my credit hours this semester.”
Ms.Webb frowned.“I didn’t think the high school offered work study programs.”
“It’s a pilot project,” Bethany said blithely.“If it works out, we’ll be turning out an entire senior class full of little funeral directors by the end of next year.”
“Oh my god,” I muttered.Shoving Edward’s project toward Ms.Webb, I jerked my chin at the door.“Bethany, wait in the hall.”
“Sir, yes sir.”
Ms.Webb took the project—a very detailed diorama of the life cycle of a bombardier beetle—and shot me a glare.“Edward is expected to have his assignments just like the other kids, Mr.Morris.I’m not going to give him special treatment.I understand that he has someneeds, but singling him out is not only unfair to him, but the other students.Given theincidenta few weeks ago, I’ve been a little more forgiving of these behaviors of his, but he really does need to make more of an effort in my class.I was hoping to arrange a meeting with you later this week, but as you’re here…” She set the project down and moved around the receptionist’s desk to the teacher inboxes.She returned with a bright green folder and a sheet of shiny gold star stickers.“This is Edward’s behavior chart.Take it with you to use at home and he’ll need to bring it to class daily.”
I stared in growing horror and anger as she flipped open the folder to show me the chart stapled to one side, labeled with things likeKept My Fun Facts Inside My Head!My Hands Are Quiet So I Can Learn!Eye Contact Means I’m Listening!“Are you fu… freaking kidding me?”I demanded in a low voice.“This is not only against his IEPandwhat was discussed and agreed upon in our previous meetings, it’s literally harmful.This is akin to—No, thisisabusive.He’s autistic, not a puppy you’re trying to train.”I grabbed the folder and shoved it at the receptionist.“Hi.Shred this, please.Also, I’d like to sign my son out for the rest of the day.I just remembered he’s on work release, too.”
* * *
Edward was wide-eyedand a little upset when Ms.Webb marched him back to the school office, the sight of the principal standing there with me, and Bethany perched on one of the visitor chairs in the hallway, pushing his upset toward anxiety.“Is Ambrose okay?”he demanded, clutching his lunchbox and the diorama so tightly, his little knuckles were white.“Why is everyone here but him?You’re okay because I see you.And Bethany is here but she’s looking really not happy.And Ms.Webb said I had to goright nowand—”
“Ambrose is fine,” I assured him, crouching down to pull him into a hug.“He’s fine.I’m just taking you out of school for today while Ms.Webb and Principal Tanner have a talk and then…” I glanced up at the principal and her pinch-faced annoyance and exhaustion.And then, I thought, I’d start the paperwork with the state to file as homeschoolers, like California law required.And I’d start the process of withdrawing Edward from school and make sure all the I’s were dotted and t’s were crossed so neither of us would have to deal with this mess ever again.“We’re going to make some plans for next week, okay?New school stuff, just for you.Things that work fit you better.Like getting new shoes.”Plans involving every single homeschool website and blog I could find and getting off my ass and making this happen for him sooner than I’d planned, but later than he needed.
Edward nodded slowly.“But he’s really okay?”
“I promise.”
Bethany held out her hand to Edward.“Hey, want to see if we can find a cool bug on the way to the car?Maybe Maurice made it back to this end of town.”
My heart gave an odd little thump at the sight of Edward taking Bethany’s hand trustingly, the two of them already thick as thieves as she led him from the office with a quick backward glance in my direction.I waited until they cleared the door before I turned back to Ms.Webb and Principal Tanner.“I’ll expect a call this afternoon.If necessary, we’ll have another meeting with the district involved this time.”
I strode after Edward and Bethany, stomach churning and head pounding.I had less than an hour till my interview with the potential new employee, my kid to distract, and my boyfriend’s sister skipping school inmyhouse… “Damn it!I still haven’t changed my tie!”
* * *
Bethany and Edwardwere relegated to the Family Lounge off the lobby.It wasn’t much but it had a sofa and some comfy chairs, a small television with the low-end tier of a streaming service hooked up.Bethany was back to sulking, and Edward was fairly vibrating with a combination of excitement and anxious curiosity, sublimating it into watchingPlanet Earthon a loop while I met with Vernon Chalmers, a recent graduate of the mortuary science program in Sacramento who was moving back to the area to be closer to his aging grandmothers.The interview went surprisingly well, and I was fairly certain I’d be hiring him on in some capacity, no matter how the other interviews went.By the time I got him out the door and took a minute to compose myself, Edward had zonked out on the sofa in the Family Lounge and Bethany had obviously been crying, her makeup streaked and eyes red when she glared up at me when I opened the door.“Come on,” I sighed.“Come to my office.He’ll be fine in here.”
She trudged after me across the lobby.“Is Ambrose here yet?”
I shook my head.“He texted to say he’d be a bit later than expected.Something about Reba Howe catching him on his way out the door earlier.”
She stopped mid-step.“Oh, shit,” she groaned.“I’m never getting the internship.”
