Temptation

No Matter What

"Have a great weekend, you guys! See you Monday!" Cassie waved at the sixth graders leaving her class. This was her first year teaching sixth grade and she loved every second of it. Most of them seemed a bit more serious about the classes, but of course she had the typical class clowns.

As she was getting her things together and packing the papers she needed to grade, Anna walked into the room. "Hey, girly," Anna said. Cassie smiled as she said, "Hey! What's up?" Anna leaned herself against Cassie's desk and crossed her arms. 

Cassie sighed and angrily set down her bag. "Again? Seriously? Isn't this the third time this week?" Anna shrugged as she told her, "Look, I just thought you should know before he calls her in. I saw her sitting in front of his office and she does not look happy."

After taking a calming deep breath, Cassie thanked her friend and made her way to the main office. This was not how she wanted to end her week. 

Walking into the office, she flashed the receptionist, Maggie, a smile and continued her way towards the Principal's office. When she saw the empty chairs in front of the office, she turned to Maggie who said, "She went in just a minute ago."

Cassie didn't knock before walking in. "I thought we talked about this, Ray," she said. "When my daughter gets sent to your office, I want to know!" Sighing, Ray told her, "I'm sorry, Cassie, but I thought I should talk to Ella first. I'm afraid with you being here, she won't tell the whole truth."

She gave him an incredulous look, then turned to Ellie. "Sweetie, do you care if I'm in here? Or would you rather speak to him alone?" Ellie turned her head towards her mom, but didn't quite look at her. "It's fine," she quietly said, "you can stay."

Cassie gave Ray a smug smile, then sat down. Ray sighed, then said, "Alright, Ella. Care to explain why you were sent here?" Ellie seemed annoyed by his question, as she rolled her eyes and shook her head. She had a bit of an attitude, this one. 

"I was just talking," the seven year old argued. Ray nodded, then said, "Okay, you were talking, but Ms. Applegate told me you raised your voice at her when she asked you to stop." Cassie put her hand up to her face and sighed. Unfortunately, she knew exactly what he was talking about because she does it at home all the time. 

"Well I didn't mean to," Ellie defended in a sharp tone, earning a glare from her mother and principal. "Look, Ray," Cassie said, "this is something Ben and I should deal with and believe me, we will." Ray shook his head in disapproval as he told her, "This is the third time this week, Cassie. Actually, this is the thirteenth time this school year and it's barely the end of October!"

Cassie closed her eyes and nodded in understanding. Ray continued, "I'm sorry, but I have no choice but to suspend her. She can't be talking back to teachers, starting fights, getting involved in fights that have nothing to do with her! I'm left with no other choice."

It was hard not to be embarrassed as Cassie walked out with Ellie right beside her. She was embarrassed because she had to walk past Ms. Applegate's room. She knew she was glaring at her as they passed. She could feel the heat of the sixty year old teacher's stares. 

"Are you mad?" Ellie asked as Cassie drove them home. Cassie sighed and shook her head, as she told her, "I don't know. I really don't, El. I can't tell if I'm mad or just...disappointed. Your father can talk to you when we get home because I'm tired of having this discussion."

When they got home, music was radiating through the house, telling Cassie that Ben was probably working on dinner. Ellie went straight to her room, obviously planning to avoid her father for as long as she possibly could. 

When Cassie got down to the kitchen, she was greeted with Ben walking over to her with a glass of wine. She smiled at the gesture, but told him, "I don't think I should." He gave her a worried look and asked, "Why, love? Rough day?"