Forever Changed

“Oh yeah, I forgot to mention she’s an advanced reader. She reads at like a fifth-grade level.”

“That’s splendid,” Mrs. Mimi, said beaming at me. “We have a library stocked with books. During story hour tomorrow, I’ll have Ms. Amanda, Ms. Hope’s assistant, take Megan to the library to pick out a book. You know I think reading is so important, and we want to keep encouraging her.”

“She’d like that,” I said before heading toward Megan’s classroom.

Peeking through the window in the door, I scanned the room for Megan, finally spotting her in the corner with Mandy. Mandy was chattering away as they pretended to cook at the small make-believe kitchen together. Megan wasn’t talking or even smiling, but she at least looked content. Every few seconds, her eyes would scan the room, taking in her surroundings. It was tough to tell if she was really enjoying herself. On her third sweep of the room, she caught me watching her through the small window. Sudden relief spread across her face.

She rushed toward me, throwing herself into my arms when I opened the door. I ignored the pain of her cast knocking against my shoulder as her small body quaked in my arms.

“It’s okay, Peanut, I’m here. Did someone hurt you?” I asked, pulling back to find out what had upset her, but she wouldn’t withdraw her death grip from my neck

“Are you sick?”

She shook her head again. I sighed. Refusing to talk in a situation like this was beyond frustrating. I wanted to shake her to make her speak, but held myself back.

“Ms. Hope, any idea what’s wrong?” I asked accusingly to her approaching teacher.

“She had a good day, but she kept glancing at the door. I’m not sure if maybe she thought you weren’t coming back or maybe something had happened to you,” the teacher explained.

“Peanut, did you think I wasn’t coming back?” I asked.

She shook her head again.

“Were you afraid something had happened to me?” I asked, grasping at straws. I was shocked when she nodded her head slightly.

“Oh Peanut, I’m fine,” I said, fighting back the urge to cry.

She pulled back slightly, intently studying my face.

“I promise,” I said looking in her eyes earnestly.

My tone must have reassured her since her death grip loosened.

I staggered to my feet with her locked in my arms as Ms. Hope rounded up her belongings.

“Goodbye, Ms. Megan. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” she said, smoothing her hand over Megan’s golden locks.

Megan nodded her head solemnly, but tightened her grip around me.

***

Everything was quiet as usual when we arrived home. Megan went off to search for Mom while I headed to my room to drop off my junk. I pulled my iPhone from my purse and scrolled through the text messages I had missed. The first few were from Colton.

Hey where did u go????

R U ok?

Is this because of Lacey?

His concern was touching and brought a smile to my face. Lacey’s messages on the other hand, not so much.

So where are you?

Are you still being melodramatic?

Kassandraaaaaaaa???????

Ugh, stop being a cow and text me back.