Tess came bounding up the front steps. Red faced and sweating from her energetic dash from the corner bus stop she burst into the house.

“Mom, where are you? I need to tell you something important,” Tess called out loudly in her little girl voice.

“Tess, I’m right here,” her Mom said from the Kitchen doorway. “How was first grade today? Do you have any papers in your backpack that I need to see? What about homework?” Tess’ Mom questioned as she noticed the carelessly dropped backpack leaning against the wall in the hall.

Tess, following her pointed gaze, realized that her Mom was not going to listen to anything else until all her questions had been asked and answered. Sighing, she moved back into the hall, retrieved her blue backpack from the hall and carried it into the Kitchen. Opening it, Tess withdrew her Math book, Spelling, and a long, white envelope, which she handed to her Mother.

“I have to do page thirty in Math and study for my spelling test,” Tess said slowly. “What’s in the letter, can I see?” She asked watching her Mom open it and begin to frown.

“It’s from your teacher, Ms. Hassle. Go ahead and work on your homework. We’ll talk about this more when you’re done. Make sure to study those spelling words because I’m going to quiz you before you go to bed tonight.”

“Mom, I always make a hundred percent on my spelling tests,” Tess protested. “Why can’t we skip one night of practicing my words?”

“Tess, just because spelling comes easy to you is no reason to take a night off. The words will get harder as you go from grade to grade so it is better to get into the habit of studying them every night, now.” Her Mother reminded her quietly.

“ Maybe you are right,” Tess responded sitting down at the table. “Guess I’ll start with Math.”

Looking down at the letter in her hand, addressed to Mrs. Beth Stevens, her Mom nodded absently and headed into the Den.

“Mrs. Stevens, there are some things that I would like to go over with you. Please come and see me at your earliest convenience. Perhaps after school tomorrow, if you have the time?” Sincerely, Ms. Hassle.” Beth read silently.

“What could be the problem this time,” Beth wondered. “Nine weeks into school and nearly as many notes have come home. This just doesn’t make sense. No explanation, just a terse note that Ms. Hassle wants to see me.” Beth mumbled to herself. “Does this woman have nothing better to do with her time than send notes? Oh well, no time like the present,” she said pulling out her daughter’s class information.