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“Okay, I want you to open it and tell me what it says. I’m right here, baby, and I’m turning the truck around and headed back to you.”
I can hear the wheels of his truck screech as he turns around to come back to me.
I open the envelope slowly making sure I don’t rip it, and when I unfold the paper a picture falls out. The moment I see the picture, tears fill my eyes and I feel as though my throat’s closing up.
I try to speak, but I have to try again and I barely get the words out. “Oh my God Jonathan . . . there’s a picture . . . it’s the three of us walking at the zoo with Ireland in the middle of us. They’ve seen her, Jonathan. This can’t be happening. Not my baby girl”
“Baby, I need you to take a deep breath and keep talking to me. Did they draw anything on the front or back of the picture?”
“No.”
“Okay, was there anything else in the envelope?”
“Yes, there’s a letter.”
“Read that to me, darlin’.”
Hope you, Ireland and your boyfriend had fun at the zoo?
Stay away from my family if you want me to stay away from yours.
“Oh my God, they know her name! Jonathan, they know her name!”
I suddenly notice that the halls are getting louder and the bell is about to ring. There will be students in the room any minute.
“What do I do, Jonathan? The bell is about to ring and Heidi isn’t here yet.”
“Just stay calm and try to act like nothing is wrong. I’m calling Blackburn right now and I’ll be there in five minutes. Hang in there, baby. I’m on my way and we’ll figure this thing out. Why don’t you take a picture of the letter and the picture and send it to me, okay?”
“Okay, I will. But, Jonathan don’t disrupt class. I don’t want the students to know that anything’s wrong. Just come in as soon as first period is over, okay?”
“Okay, but I’ll be with Blackburn or right outside your door.”
The bell rings and the first few students start to trickle in.
“I have to go, class is starting. Thank you and see you after class. Thank you so much, Jonathan.”
“On my way, Gracie.”
I hang up my phone, take the picture and send it to Jonathan. I throw the picture and the letter in my purse, and put my purse in my desk drawer. I can feel myself shaking, but I’ve stopped the tears from falling. Taking deep breaths to try to appear normal, I get up and go check in with my kids.
The bell rings and Austin walks in with Heidi right on his heels, and she closes the door behind her.
“Hey, Miss J. How was your weekend?”
“It was good. How was yours, Austin?”
“Not too bad. Just hung out with Kayla all weekend and actually did a little studying.”
“That’s great, Austin. What did you study? Please tell me it was math?” I ask him, trying to stay engaged. He really is a great kid so it’s easy to fall into conversation with him.
“I did. Math and Spanish. I’ve narrowed down the sections I need to go over with you today if we have time. I have my math test next period so I would love to have it fresh in my head.”
“No problem, we’ll make sure to find time. Hey, how are things at home Austin? I know things were pretty rough last week.”
“You know, it’s been better. Dad is still drinking a lot and I walked in the other day and he had just hit mom and split her lip open, but when I jumped in between the two of them he just walked away. He still has never touched me, but he hits mom sometimes when I’m not there.”
“Austin, I am so sorry. Your mom still won’t press charges or leave?”
