The interactive lesson today went by with a few issues that I take note of for next time as the kids work on putting away the building blocks that were being used and putting their homework in their backpacks.
Once I see that for the most part, everything is tidy I let the children get their backpacks on and head outside to get in their bus lines or go up to the school front to be picked up. When Adley has her backpack on I call her over to my desk before she can head outside.
"Yes, Ms. Johansen?" She asks neutrally.
"Adley, today Micah Graf is going to be picking you up from the classroom, alright?"
"Why? Uncle Micah has me ride the bus."
"Because the three of us are going to have a talk once he gets here."
Adley gives me an unsure look as she nods her head then sits in one of the desks near mine and settles her backpack by her feet.
Almost ten minutes after all the kids but Adley are gone I can hear distinct footsteps coming down the hallway and look up to the door.
As I do I see who I assume to be Mr. Graf. He had a slightly athletic build, not very tall, but definitely taller than me. Although he seemed slightly embarrassed right now I could still feel the aura of intensity that permeated through the room as he enters.
"Ms. Johansen?" He began "I apologize for being late, I underestimated the drive." He admits as he strides into the room to lean on Adley's desk-top.
"That's alright." I say with a mild smile before standing up and walking up to him to shake his hand.
As his hand encompasses mine I give it a small shake before the warmth from the rough texture sends heat up to my face.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Graf." I nod as I lean against the front of my desk.
"I wish it were under better circumstances, Adley's mother called me soon after you did and filled in a little bit of information."
"Yes, it was brought to my attention that Adley may be picking on another student recently."
"Is this true Adley?" Mr. Graf asks as he turns towards Adley and gives her a pointed look that she avoids.
"Lily is just a tattler. All I said is that only babies have a lunchbox like hers and get notes from their moms in them." She grumbles into her arm.
"Adley Marie!" He scolds before turning back towards me. "I promise, she knows better than this when we call her mom tonight I'll make sure we discuss this."
"Adley, could you wait in the hallway for a minute while I talk to Mr. Graf?"
"Sure." She mumbles before getting up and leaving the room.
"Adley has no record of bullying or even being defiant in class. I would encourage you to ask her mother if she used to put notes or something in her lunch." I advise. "At her age these situations generally stem from jealousy."
"Alright, well I won't keep any more of your time, I know you still plan to meet with Adley's mom. Have a nice weekend Ms. Johansen." Mr. Graf ends, giving me crooked smile as he rises from the desk.
"You as well." I respond quieter than planned as I move to go back behind my desk as he exits the room.
It isn't until I start to finish cleaning up the room that I notice Adley forgot her backpack by the desk she was sitting in and move it to behind my desk so it isn't in the way of the janitors.
For the next few hours, I manage to finish up some grading from earlier in the week, input grades, make sure all the supplies are in the correct spots, and make next week's lesson plans.
When I look over the classes grades I take note that Adley and a couple of other students seem to be struggling with more of the lessons.
Around five-thirty I am able to pack-up my small bag and head out of the room hearing the subtle click of the doors lock.
My ride home is a silent half-hour that I am very thankful for. I drop my bags off on the couch and make a straight bee-line for the bathroom to wash off the tension from today and relax for the rest of the night.
The next morning I wake up earlier than planned and decide to make it productive. After having a cup of hot tea to wake up and scroll through the news app on my phone I put on a sweatshirt and leggings to prepare for jog around my block a few times.
It isn't until I can feel the chilly air bite the back of my throat while I slowly wander back up to my apartment that I realize my thoughts have been drifting to Micah Graf. When I enter my apartment I decide to put him out of my mind and rise off before starting my day.
Still feeling mentally drained from the week I decide to make a Pb&j sandwich and watch some t.v. for the day.
Half-way through The Lion King live-action remake my phone dings with a message notification.
"Hello, this is Micah Graf, Adley's mom gave me your personal number."
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Ephemeral (Slow Updates)
Romance"Maybe that's all we will ever be- an incomplete sentence, a half-written story. Finished, without an ending ." ~~~~~ Samaria is a school teacher that is finally getting her life on-track after 24 years. She has stopped fully depending on her brothe...
