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“Good. Thanks.” She sounded relieved.
“I'll meet you at the school.” He pocketed his cell phone and then glanced at the contractor he'd hired to go over Lindsey 's house. “I want a full report within the hour on what needs to be completed to bring this place up to code.”
“Will do,” the contractor agreed.
Satisfied, he left Lindsey’s house and jumped into his truck. The elementary school in Sun Valley wasn't too far, although the house Lindsey had shared with Sam had been much closer. Pushing the speed limit as much as he dared, he made it to the school within fifteen minutes. He parked next to Lindsey’s bright yellow car and walked into the building searching for the principal's office.
He instinctively knew where it was. He had spent a few hours in the principal’s office when he'd been a kid, too. Not in California, though, but back in Milwaukee Wisconsin where he’d grown up with his siblings.
He found Lindsey was already there, wearing her green hospital scrubs, her arm looped around Josh's thin shoulders. The kid stared down at the floor, as if he wished he could just disappear.
“Mrs. Winters, surely you understand that this behavior has to stop,” the principal was saying. “This is the fourth incident over the past two months. Joshua's grades have deteriorated, and if you don't figure out a way to keep him from skipping school, I'm afraid he will need to repeat the fourth grade.”
“I understand.” Lindsey’s desperate gaze sought his. Austin’s stomach squeezed in sympathy. First Sam's death, then moving to a new house, then the fire and now this. He had a feeling she couldn't take much more.
“Have you taken our advice and arranged counseling for Josh? “The principal asked in a perplexed tone.
Austin was surprised when she nodded. “Yes.” She glanced at Josh, who stared stubbornly at the toes of his shoes. “Dr. Ellen Sandberg is convinced that Josh's anger and lack of interest in school is directly related to the loss of his father.”
Austin hadn't known about Josh seeing a psychologist. What else didn't he know? There was a lot Lindsey had kept from him.
“Hmm.” The principal's expression was serious. “That may be, and of course, we're very sorry for your loss. I'm sure this is a difficult time for both of you. But Josh is certainly old enough to understand right from wrong, and skipping school is wrong.” The principal spread his hands in a helpless gesture. “I'm not sure what you expect us to do. We can't pass him if he doesn't attend school.”
“I know that.” Austin noticed how Lindsey’s grip tighten on Josh's shoulder. “He won't do it again.”
When Josh hunched his shoulders and stubbed his toe into the floor, Austin wasn't convinced.
“Josh?” He stepped forward joining the conversation. “What happened? Why did you skip school?”
The boy shrugged and glanced up at him, defiance reflected in his blue eyes. “I don't know.”
“I don't know is not an acceptable answer,” Lindsey said in a sharp tone. “How do you expect to pass if you don't go to school?”
He understood Lindsey’s frustration, but there had to be more going on here. Did Josh miss Sam that much? His gut clenched. He hadn't lost his father, so he couldn't even begin to imagine how Josh was coping. Was the boy lonely? Josh had mentioned not having friends nearby, although he had spent the day with Tony. Austin had grown up in a rowdy, noisy family with several brothers and sisters. He'd never been lonely, even when he'd wanted to be left alone.
“Josh will need to serve a detention. And make up the work he's missed,” the principal continued. “You'll have to talk to his teacher to arrange for the completion of all missing assignments.”
Austin could see that all this talk about extra homework was only making Josh feel worse. Not that he shouldn't do the work, obviously it needed to be completed. But there was no sense dwelling on it.
“Let's go,” he spoke in a low tone to Lindsey.
She nodded, understanding his desire to speak with Josh outside of the school. She turned to the principal. “I will be in touch with Josh's teacher.”
The principal stood. “Ms. Winters, I'd like to receive a report from his counselor prior to allowing Josh back into class. I need to know there is something more going on here with Josh's truancy.”
“Okay.” Lindsey's worried frown brought a wave of helpless anger washing over him. She shouldn't have to bear the burden of all of this alone. She needed help and support to get through this. She tugged Josh's arm. “Let’s go.”
Josh followed her out, looking completely dejected. Austin felt bad for the kid. What in the world had happened? There had to be a reason he was acting like he was. Because of the move? It didn't seem like a simple move would be enough to cause him to skip school. Josh had always been a nice kid, had never been in trouble before that Austin was aware of.
“I'm sorry to bother you,” Lindsey said as they walked through the parking lot to their respective cars. They'd managed to stay out of each other 's way that morning as she'd gotten Josh up and ready for school and then left for work. But now they were walking closely together.
“It's not a big deal. I was at your house talking to the contractor.” He glanced at Josh, who lagged behind as if he didn't want to be near either of the adults. “We’ll meet at my place, okay? I'd like to try talking to Josh alone.”
She nodded and he figured it was a sign of how upset she was that she didn't jump on his comment about the contractor. “Do you think he'll talk to you, Austin? So far, Dr. Sandberg hasn't had much luck.”
“I don't know, but I’ll try.” He opened the driver side car door for her. When she leaned close to slide in behind the wheel, her subtle scent teased his senses. He hoped he hid his reaction to her well enough that she wouldn’t notice.
He’d tried to keep his distance from her, but that was much harder to achieve when they were living together under the same roof.
