Legs crossed, Mrs. Haight-Williams brushed a fleck of dirt from her pencil skirt. She returned her hands to her knees, curling her fingers slightly to hide that there was a chip in her manicure. The bench was uncomfortable, not as bad as the benches in the juvenile court waiting area but close. Mrs. Haight-Williams shifted and the school secretary gave her a sympathetic smile. Pretending to study something in the school parking lot, she looked away.

Outside, a gaggle of teen girls were carrying poster boards. The laughter lifted on the wind that pushed their colorful posters. Mrs. Haight-Williams wondered if there was a dance coming up. Amanda ever went to things like that. No homecomings or spring flings, not even a pep rally, Amanda didn’t like crowds. Mrs. Haight-Williams watched the giggling girls until they cut around the corner.

She was not going to cry. Not this time. She wished Ben could have made it. Having both parents always looked better to vice principals, especially the father. No sly questions about if the child’s father is in the picture, no pitying sympathy for single mothers across the conference table, dads mean stability and respectability. Mrs. Haight-Williams sighed.

“Sorry for the delay. Mr. Portman will be here soon, ma’am.”

Mrs. Haight-Williams’ smile was cool beneath tear-bright eyes. Quickly, the secretary looked away. The high school front desk lobby was painted cinder blocks and sensible carpet tiles. There were shelves of gold sports awards and framed certificates. Royal blue ribbons festooned one wall. A massive ink drawing of an overwrought gryphon sneered at her across the hallway. Mrs. Haight-Williams fished for a peppermint in her nice purse. Maybe it was better that Ben couldn’t make it.

Florid, Mr. Portman hurried into the lobby, hand extended. He knew Mrs. Haight-Williams too well. Amanda followed. Her daughter’s tee shirt was torn at the shoulder. Her bruised knuckles was a dusky pink. Her defiant stance sagged momentarily when she spotted her mother. Their eyes met and held. Pretending to be bored, Amanda rolled her eyes.

“Hope we didn’t keep you waiting too long, Ms. Williams. Right this way.”

Quickly, Mrs. Haight-Williams wiped her eyes and followed them into the vice principal’s office.