Page 56 of Bring Them Home

“This is Anna Ward, and I’m calling on behalf of Zoe’s teacher, Ms. Sparks.”

Her entire body stiffened. “Is Zoe okay?”

“She’s not herself, and that’s why Ms. Sparks has asked that you come in. She’d like to speak with you about Zoe before sending her home.”

Amanda glanced at the clock. It was nearing three in the afternoon. “Yes, of course, but can you give me any idea what’s going on with her?”

“All I know is Ms. Sparks is concerned.”

So nothing… Amanda’s heart sped up. “I’ll head over there right now. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” Anna hung up and was gone.

Not herself… Amanda knew Zoe wasn’t okay from the moment she told her about Paul Archer. She walked to her cubicle, and Trent lifted his head to look at her over the partition.

“Everything all right?”

“Not by a long shot. I never should have dropped Zoe off for school today. I should have taken a personal day and stayed with her.”

“Whoa. Hold up.” Trent sprung to his feet and joined her in her cubicle. “What’s happened?”

Her entire body was quaking, and she couldn’t get herself to speak. Whatever struggles Zoe was going through was on her. If she was such a good mother, she would have kept Zoe out of school and with her.

Trent squeezed Amanda’s shoulder. If they were in an alternate universe, she’d fall into his embrace for solace. In this one, she had to maintain a professional distance.

“I’ve gotta go. Can you let Malone know and take care of everything with the Johnsons?”

“You bet. Go. Take as long as you need. Even if you don’t come back today, that’s okay, Amanda. I’ll keep working.”

“Thank you. Oh, and Trent, there’s one thing you could try to find Bill Johnson.”

“Pay a visit to America Bowls?”

“That’s it.” She smiled at him and rushed out of Central. Right now all that was on her mind was her little girl and doing whatever was within her power to help her.

TWENTY-SEVEN

By the time Amanda made it to the school office, the bell rang. Students soon filled the hallways with a cacophony of noises as they eagerly chatted and laughed with their friends. Despite the loss of Paul Archer, the kids’ excitement could still be felt. They were free for the day, and many, if not all, would be eager to get out and enjoy the rest of the beautiful summer day. Despite loss and tragedy, life carried on, the world continued to spin.

Amanda saw the door marked Student Counselor was shut. That person would be earning their paycheck today with grieving students reeling in shock. At least, Amanda hoped those who needed a sounding board would take advantage of speaking with them.

Anna Ward greeted Amanda with a smile, but it was tight and didn’t reach her eyes like it normally did. “I’m sure that Ms. Sparks and Zoe will be arriving soon,” Anna told her.

Amanda nodded her thank-you. Her mind was distracted with thoughts about what was coming. All she wanted to do was hug Zoe and suck her pain away. If only that were possible. Grief was one of those things that couldn’t be ignored or avoided. It was a painful process that a person needed to go through. It was also a course unique to the individual. The best Amanda could do was be there for Zoe.

A few students filtered into the offices, and the counselor’s door opened. A woman in her mid-forties let out a girl about twelve. Her face was blotched, and her eyes puffy from crying. She kept her gaze protected and focused on the floor.

Amanda turned again to the main door at the sound of Zoe’s voice. She was with a pretty woman in her late twenties with blond hair styled straight and reaching her shoulders. Amanda assumed she was Ms. Sparks.

“Hey, sweetheart.” Amanda touched Zoe’s shoulder and moved in to hug her, but Zoe squirmed out of reach. Injured, Amanda pulled back. “Zoe?”

She shook her head and didn’t meet Amanda’s eye.

“Amanda Steele?” the woman said.

“I am. Ms. Sparks?” Amanda straightened to full height, stunned by Zoe’s reaction to her. Wounded, not her personal pride as much as what Zoe’s behavior told her. Amanda was all too familiar with the cold repercussions of grief. The indiscriminate anger that lashed out at everyone within range.

“Please call me Lila.” She suggested Amanda and Zoe follow her and took them into a meeting room with a conference table with seating for six. “Sit wherever you would like. Zoe, you might want to sit next to your mother.”