Free In the Eye of the Storm by Jennifer Hayden

simply can’t give David an evaluation on those activities if he won’t take part or if he strikes out at other children. The time before this, he bit someone. You must understand the health issues involved with biting. It simply isn’t acceptable.”
    “So you’re saying that if he doesn’t do group things with the other children you’re going to fail him?” Mrs. Pendleton now looked downright angry.
    “No, that’s not what I’m saying. The state requires certain areas of curriculum to be followed. Many of our science projects, art and music projects—and even a lot of our flash cards and math games—require more than one student. There simply isn’t enough time or supplies to have each child do everything individually.”
    “So it’s about the money.” Mrs. Pendleton’s lips thinned in irritation. “Then I’ll just write you a check.”
    For goodness sake, just when Kate thought her day had gotten off to a good start, this is what she had to deal with. Sighing, she tried again.
    “Mrs. Pendleton, it is not about money. David is showing signs of social distress. He doesn’t like to play with the other kids. When he does play with them, he is exhibiting mean behavior. It is my job, as his educator, to let you know there is a problem. Personally, I have no issues with your son. As long as he’s by himself in the classroom, he’s fine. But on a social level, he is not. If my child were displaying this type of behavioral problem, I would want to know.”
    “Well, David isn’t your child so you don’t have to worry about it. Perhaps he would be better suited in someone else’s classroom.” Mrs. Pendleton stood up.
    “I don’t think so. I enjoy having him in class and he and I get along fine,” Kate said, also standing. “I would be glad to go to the principal’s office with you and allow Principal Wilson to shine some light on things. Maybe he would have some ideas how we can solve this issue.”
    “I think I’ll just go talk to him myself.” Mrs. Pendleton’s heels clicked against the floor on her way out. Kate sat down and took a gulp of coffee. Great. Now she would have to spend an extra hour in Principal Wilson’s office today.
    The bell rang and children scurried into the classroom. Kate pushed her thoughts of Mrs. Pendleton aside and got to work teaching her class.
    By the time the bell rang at three o’clock, she was more than ready to go home. The day had progressed downhill from Mrs. Pendleton’s visit. Kate had been forced to spend her lunch hour explaining her side of the story to Principal Wilson.
    Donald Wilson was a middle-aged man with an ice age view on education. Not only that, he was absolutely on either side of her head. ">di scared to death of Mrs. Pendleton. He’d told Kate to work it out with David—ease him into activity at the child’s comfort level. He’d basically told her he knew she could handle it and kicked her out into the hall.
    David had behaved well enough for the day. But there was tomorrow and the next day and so on to worry about. She didn’t know what to do about him.
    Pulling into her driveway, she shut the car off and frowned. There was a red Volkswagen parked in front of her house that looked suspiciously like Wick Meyers’ VW. But it couldn’t be, could it? She’d all but told him to never come around her again. As the door to the red car opened, her worst fears were confirmed. There were those damned pink, fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror…and there was Wick. She sighed, knowing her day was about to get a whole lot worse.
    Unfolding from the interior of her SUV, she turned to greet him. Hells bells, he had flowers in his hands. The man was apparently clueless.
    “I came to apologize,” he said, stunning her. He hadn’t seemed like the apologetic type the other night. She supposed she should hear him out before she kicked him to the curb again.
    “It’s no big deal.” She watched him fidget. The guy actually wouldn’t have