The Wild Side by Fern Michaels

Author:Fern Michaels [Michaels, Fern]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-26T00:00:00+00:00

MELANIE DRAKE

JESSE MOORER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

She fidgeted with her ID. This was a different kind of altercation. There was a child involved, in a school, with a very angry parent. Diplomacy.

Melanie escorted Mrs. Walker to the corner of the tiled room, where her son sat in a heap. Mrs. Walker sat on the floor, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and began to rock him gently. Melanie could see his body shaking.

“I’ll be right back.” Melanie bolted back to her office. She stopped in the doorway. She was almost out of breath but held her composure. “Audrey, may I speak with you?”

The security guard moved closer to Melanie’s door. Walker had better not have thoughts of going anywhere.

Audrey and Melanie moved out of earshot. Melanie began to repeat what Jerome had told her.

“The man has a temper.” Melanie wasn’t simply offering her opinion. She was quite masterful in sizing someone up quickly. “Jerome told me his father slapped him.” Melanie knew kids embellished. But not in this case. “He also told me his dad shoved his mother.”

“Oh boy.” Audrey looked up. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

The two women walked toward the bathroom. Melanie reminded the hall monitor, “No one in or out unless I say so.”

Hall monitors were teacher’s aides. They would rotate during the day, keeping an eye on the corridors, checking student passes.

Mrs. Walker was still cradling her son, who had stopped crying. Audrey addressed her. “Mrs. Walker, do you have someone you can stay with for a few days?”

Mrs. Walker looked puzzled. “Why?”

“Considering the circumstances and your husband’s mood, it might be wise to give him a few days to cool off,” Melanie added.

“But he will be so angry.” There was fear in her eyes. “Every night when he comes home, I think he’s going to explode. This is going to put him right over the edge.”

Melanie crouched down. “Jerome, can I tell your mom what you told me?” He nodded.

“Jerome said that your husband slapped him and shoved you.”

Mrs. Walker was shredding the tissue in her hand. “Yes, but it was only that one time.”

Melanie knew there could be a second, third, and many more times. It all started with the first one. “Mrs. Walker, I strongly suggest you give him time to cool down. We can work things out, but for now, distance, time, and considering the options would be good steps. We’ll work with you to help come to a viable resolution.”

Jerome looked up at his mother. “Can we go to see Aunt Colleen?”

“She lives over an hour away, sweetheart. You have school, and I have work.” Mrs. Walker knew it was the right thing to do, but the thought terrified her.

“We can give Jerome schoolwork.”

“But what about my job? I’m a nurse. I can’t just leave.”

“I realize it’s difficult. But I can call your supervisor and explain that Jerome had to take a leave of absence from our school, and you have to accompany him. We’ll tell her it’s an academic program thing.

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