2nd Monday Afternoon: Part 2

2^nd Monday Afternoon: Part 2

They stepped through the still open door. Looks like we have a sub, Ally. And that TV on a cart can mean only on thing.

A boring video that’s about to start. I’ll hand him the note.

The sub glanced up, lazily took the note, then nodded toward the back as the TV blared to life. The life of Shakespeare. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this documentary before.

Me too. Allison sat down next to Emanuel as a student rushed through the door and handed the substitute a note. I wonder what that’s about.

“Mr. Lopez? The vice-principal wants to see you.”

Oh well. It’ll be nice to not have to watch this one again.

Allison poured on the sarcasm. I see how it is. You get out of this torture, and I have to watch it again. You’ll let me know if it’s something serious, right?

Yeah. He stood up, quickly walked toward the waiting student, and left the classroom.

The video began at a soft volume. Looks like I can catch a quick nap. Allison let her eyes close.

What now? She opened her eyes with a sudden start. Wonderful. I can’t say I’m that surprised.

A few moments later the student re-appeared with another note. Allison stood up and headed toward the student. “Guess I don’t need to call you forward” the sub snarked as she got to the front.

Allison got to the closed office door, and was shown in. “Now, Emanuel, why did you ask me to have Allison fetched when I asked about your living situation?”

He relaxed as Allison sat down and grabbed his hand. “To answer your question; no, I don’t have any family living nearby. My aunt is the closest; she’s three towns north of here.”

“Then, unless you have the means to support yourself, I’ll need to file the appropriate transfer paperwork. If your father was merely looking at a few weeks in prison, it would be one thing. But he’s likely to get several years.”

“You don’t need to do that Mr. Litski” Allison added. “Manny has a residence, that’s within district borders and does not require him to support himself.”

“Unless someone else has taken him in, then that’s impossible. I know what the price range is to rent an apartment in this town, and it’s not possible for a student to work part-time and still make normal school hours.”

“That’s the thing; someone has taken Manny in. My parents allowed him to move in over the weekend.”

“I can’t picture your father allowing that.”

“If he had his way, you’d be right. But, he’s not the one who makes the decisions at home.”

The VP laughed. “I can see a lot of your mom in you.” He turned back to Emanuel. “Very well. What we’ll need is a signed statement from one of Allison’s parents affirming that what you say is true; and I’ll need you to fill out and sign a change of permanent address form. I have the form” he paused, and pulled out a single sheet document “right here. You can return the form with the statement anytime during this week.”

Okay. I imagine if I ask your mom, she’d be happy to provide a statement like that.

Allison smiled. I can do one better for you. Mom figured you’d need to file this change soon, and already prepared one. I have it in my bag; signed by both of them. She pulled out the statement, and handed it to the VP. “This should suffice for the statement.”

He blinked at the offered statement. “I didn’t realize she had her own stationary. But, yes, this will do just fine.”

That’s not her stationary; that’s Dad’s. People don’t realize just how much influence Mom has with him.

Emanuel laughed. So, all I need to do is fill out this form and sign it, and we’re good as far as the school is concerned. Good, this won’t take long. A few moments later, he handed the form back. “There you go. We’re all set, right?”

“This will take a day or two to process, but yes. I’m guessing you’d rather stay here then return to drama?”

“Yes. How long will it be before we’ll know for sure how long he’ll be away for?” Allison asked.

“The officer who reported this to us couldn’t give an exact day; but estimated within a day or two. This is apparently a pretty open and shut case.”

Emanuel nodded and slowly wandered into the back room. What’s wrong Manny?

Allison stepped back into the office proper. “Vice-principal? Are you able to call Kara here from her class?”

“Yes. But why should I, Allison?”

Allison felt her anger begin to flare. “You’re the one ultimately responsible for our emotional and physical well-being while we’re in this building, right?”

“Yes.”

“Does it look like Manny is handling this news well? News he only knows because of you? Doesn’t that pin the responsibility for his state of mind on you?”

He sighed. “You’re right; he’s clearly not handling this well. And it is on me...” he paused, and thought for a moment. “Very well, I’ll have your girlfriend called here.” He motioned the student sitting nearby over, and whispered something in their ear. Allison watched the student quickly leave the office.

Your escort is on their way. I’m going to do what I can for Manny while you’re on your way.

Okay my muse.

She stepped back into the backroom, to Emanuel sitting on the couch, rolled up into a partial ball. “Kara will be here soon, my love.” She sat down next to him and held her arms open. “I’m here for you.”

He looked up amidst whispers of “It’s all my fault”, unballed, and cuddled up to her. “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t moved out, then that family wouldn’t be fighting for their lives.”

“Can you really say that for sure? Only he knows what inspired him make the decision he did.”

“Yes, I can. If I was still there, he wouldn’t feel like I abandoned him.”

Kara stepped into the room. “You didn’t abandon him. He abandoned you when he climbed into the bottle. And, think of it logically for a moment if you can: that decision was not the kind made by a man who simply thought about it on the fly. That’s the kind of decision made by someone who’s planned it. Did the VP mention anything about how he was driving?”

“Maybe, partner.”

“Think a little harder for a moment.”

“Yes, he did. He said, according to the police report, dad’s BAC was only slightly higher than legal; and his driving was surprisingly precise.”

“That is not a sudden decision. How drunk does he usually get?”

“Enough that he can’t walk straight.”

“And, when they tested him?”

“He almost passed the walking test. A little off, but nothing big.”

“My muse?”

“That sounds premeditated. You moving out did nothing to change his decision.”

Kara sat down on his other side and gently grabbed his hand. “Yes, it did. I’m sure, at the least, it moved up his time table.”

Allison gently stroked his hair. “If that’s true, then he was going to do it anyway. If you had stayed, all you could have done was buy them more time. And how sure are you that he wouldn’t have decided to speed things up on his own?”

“I’m...” he paused, starting to breathe more normally “not sure.”

“What are you sure about?” Kara asked.

“That I needed to get out before he tried to hurt me.”

“Who is responsible for your decisions?” she added.

“Me.”

“And who is responsible for your father’s decisions?”

“My father.”

“Then” she began softly “are you responsible for his decision to attack that family?”

Emanuel sat up a little straighter. “No, I’m not.”

Kara smiled. “Will your feelings of guilt help the family?”

He shook his head softly. “No.”

“And is there any way you can help them?” Allison added.

“No. The hospital is their best source of help now; and I’m sure they have really good insurance because that’s probably the hospital he works at.”

“Precisely, partner. What does this strong guilt tell you about yourself?”

He sighed, sat up straight, and looked Kara in the eyes. “That I have unresolved things to work through dealing with my father.”

She smiled. “And this, just now? What do you know from our conversation?”

He breathed deeply, and looked each of them in the eyes. “That I need help dealing with those issues; and that I can depend on both of you for some of that help.”

“I am your partner; and I will always do my best to be here for you, to help and support you the way you’ve helped and supported me. This is a promise.” My muse?

Allison gently turned his head toward hers. “I am your also your partner; you have helped me to deal with some terrible things that, on my own, I would have kept hidden from myself. You know my past; and have accepted me despite it. I will help and support you, the absolute best way I can, and I love and accept you for who you are; no matter what is in your past that haunts you.”

“Thank you, my loves. Without the two of you, I know I’d still be lost in that awful guilt.”

Kara smiled gently. “Those feelings and thoughts are likely to come back. Try your best to remember everything we talked about today when they do. And if you need a gentle, loving reminder of one of them, we will be happy to give one to you. I promise.”