Page 4 of Requiem & Reverie

Surely, he must hear my massive sigh of relief blasting against the earpiece, but his response doesn’t take away the trembles that have me feeling cold, all of a sudden. “You’re sure he’s okay.”

“Yes, Mrs. Tensley. I’m positive.”

My hands are shaking as I click off the phone, and the residual terror from before must be written all over my face, because Lara tips her head in front of me and says, “Nola, is everything all right? You look pale, honey.”

Her question is a nagging background noise, as I scour my brain for what possibilities lay ahead of me. He’s okay. Which means he’s not hurt, or dead.

After a moment of shock, I scramble toward the back, slipping my apron over my head. “Dale! I have to leave. It’s Oliver!”

“Everything all right?”

“I don’t know.”

“Go! Go!” He shoos me off from the kitchen, and I race through the restaurant and out the door.

The drive feels like it takes an eternity, and by the time I arrive at the school, my body is shaking so bad, it’s a wonder I can walk straight. The secretary greets me when I walk into the main office.

“I’m Oliver’s mom.”

“Oh.” Her brows dip, matching her disappointed tone. “Have a seat.”

After ten minutes of catching side glances from her, Principal Johnson finally calls me in.

Oliver sits slumped in a chair opposite the principal, and I take the seat beside him. “What’s going on?”

“It’s come to my attention, by a number of witnesses, that Oliver touched one of his classmates …” He slices his fingers near his throat, as if to demonstrate. “And the boy, apparently, passed out immediately after.”

My eyes flit to Oliver for a moment, where he’s still slumped in his chair, and back to Principal Johnson. “Like … he knocked him out?” Hearing Oliver knocked anything out is like finding a rabbit prefers human meat over carrots.

It’s not natural.

“No. No one reported any punches thrown. Just that he touched his neck and the boy passed out. Has Oliver taken self-defense classes, or anything?”

“No. Nothing. I’m not entirely sure how he’d have accomplished that, to be honest. I only thought that happened in movies and books.” Fingers curled around the arms of the chair, I sit forward, my eyes darting a second time to Oliver, then back to Principal Johnson. “Is he okay? The other classmate? He isn’t—”

“He’s fine. He has a small bump, from hitting a table on the way down, but the nurse has checked him, and he’s otherwise okay.”

On a sigh, I slouch back in my seat and rub my temple. “Thank goodness.”

“I’ve informed the other parents and fortunately, they’ve opted not to file a report against Oliver. I mentioned to them that it was self-defense. Though, between us, I’m not entirely sure what this was. Your son doesn’t have a history of aggression.”

I snap my attention to Oliver again, and guide his face to mine, looking for any signs of injury, but he pushes me away, keeping his eyes glued toward where his hands fidget in his lap.

“I know this has been a very hard year for the both of you, so I’m trying to go easy on you. Oliver’s grades have been a bit concerning, as of late. I would like to recommend a tutor for him, if you’re okay with that. She would visit the house a couple times a week, and help with math and writing, which is where he seems to be struggling most.”

“Of course. I’m happy to work with you.”

“As for the events of today, I’m going to issue a two-day suspension and recommend that he seek counseling. I can’t seem to get him to share his side of the story, so I have to act accordingly with school policy.”

“He is in counseling. And therapy. And classes. Look, he came home with a black eye about a week ago. I’m guessing … maybe that had something to do with it?” I tip my head to get Oliver’s attention, but he continues to ignore me. “I spoke with his counselor and last I heard, there’d be follow up with you.”

“I’ve not received any reports regarding that. Only the incident today.”

No report. My kid gets punched in the eye and nothing is done about it. “Well, I guess you wouldn’t. Because no one sticks up for the one being bullied.”

“Mrs. Tensley, with all due respect, we try to address all forms of bullying as they occur. One could argue the opposite, with your son’s show of aggression today. He frightened a number of kids who witnessed it.”

“I understand.”