Chapter 1
The door shut, softly. When I turned around I was shook to the core as I noticed tears beading down from my daughters eyes. She looked so lonely and something else I was reluctant to give name too. I saw flashes of hopelessness and despair in the dejected way she held her head and shoulders. I had only seen this once before as I looked in the mirror after the news of my tragic death.
Jody came home in tears once again. Her father, tried to pry information from her, but was unable to get an answer. It was times like this he wished Claudia, Jody’s mother was still alive.
Instead, he decided to call the school counselor at Jody’s Middle School and get to the bottom of his child’s behavior. It was the second week of school, third day for students who hadn’t attended, the practice week like Jody had. She was so excited everyday last week she loved her two 6th grade home room teachers then, especially Mrs Sams. I understand she was a new teacher at the school this year.
“Hello, Mrs. Gordon.
I am worried about my daughter, Jody. She has come home for the third time this week in tears. Do you know what could be the cause of this? Jody is usually a very quietand pleasant child. I noticed also that I have been replenishing big bags of snacks, as well. My daughter usually doesn’t eat that much. I see, I would like to arrange to visit her home room class on Friday. Is that possible?”
Mrs. Gordon, tells me “I would have to get the visit approved by both the principal and Jody’s two home room teachers. I don’t feel it would be a problem though.” She urged me to talk to the teachers before visiting the class Friday to get their input on Jody’s behavior in the classroom.
I spoke with Mr. Fog, during his lunch time, I had left a voice message with both of Jody’s home room teachers right after I spoke with her counselor. Mr. Fog was a veteran 5 year teacher at Jody’s new school. I explained to Mr. Fog, expressing my concerns about Jody’s tearful malaise when she came home this week. I also explained that Jody was happy the first week of school. Mr. Fog described Jody as quite well behaved child. He said, “more students were appearing everyday who were on our roster, so the class was adjusting to that”. I told him, “I would like to visit Jody’s class during homeroom on Friday”. He said, “it would be fine with him and he would let Mrs. Sams know about their conversation; thinking she might have a different perspective regarding Jody’s behavior being they both had Jody in another academic class daily”.
Mrs. Sams called right after I hung up from Mr. Fog. Mrs. Sams said, “Jody was quiet but interacting with other students by sharing her snacks. She had spoken to all involved to make sure there was no bullying. She also said that Jody was a great student and she was happy with her work”.
Jody’s dad was very thoughtful and perplexed. True, Jody was still recovering from her mother’s death , but she was happy last week and not coming home crying everyday. Oh well, maybe he would better be able to find out what was causing her tears and sadness after he went to school.
Claudia looked at her husband in despair. Oh, how she wished she could help him and her daughter.
When Jody came home from school. He saw fresh tears covering her face and her eyes were red. Again, he asked his daughter, “what was troubling her”. She did not respond right away. She only said, “she had homework to do and wasn’t very hungry”
He told his daughter to be down in an hour, to help set the table they were having her favorite lasagna and tossed salad.
Dinner was quiet. Jody moved food around her plate only eating a small portion of her meal. She asked to be excused to begin washing the dishes and said she had to finish her homework before I could ask her questions about her tears again.
