Simultaneously, the passenger door of the station wagon flew open and out burst a little red headed girl. “Tess!” The little girl called out running towards her friend.

“Megan, I missed you in class today. It was horrible,” Tess said gleefully hugging her.

“It’s only been one day silly,” Megan playfully replied.

“Yes, but it felt like years,” Tess emphasized as her eyes grew big as saucers.

“Hi, sorry to just drop in like this but Megan wanted to see Tess and frankly, I felt like talking like we use to,” Greta Tavish told them as they met in the driveway.

“Not a problem,” Tim smiled. “Why don’t we all go inside. The girls can play in Tess’ room while we catch up.”

“I was just talking about calling you,” Beth admitted. “I am a little embarrassed that we have sort of drifted apart in the last few weeks. We’ve been dealing with some issues up at the school and it has really got me turned inside out. I have not given much thought to anything else lately,”Beth continued.

“Oh. You’ve been having problems with the school, too? Here I was feeling like the only one that thought things were not quite right.” Greta gasped as they got settled in the Den.

“Ms. Hassle has sent home a note requesting a meeting with us almost every week since the beginning of this school year! I have been to six, no, make that seven meetings counting today,” Beth offered.

Megan’s mother looked startled.”Seven meetings, with Ms. Hassle?” I’ve been in to see her, myself three times. The first two were during gym and art class and then last week. I’ve even gone as far as meeting with Principal Sands. What a waste of time!” Greta said sadly.

“What precipitated your meetings with Ms. Hassle?” Tim asked as he poured coffee for everyone.

“Well, to be blunt, Megan use to enjoy going to school. Then it became a chore getting her out of bed and out the door. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t want to go to school. Megan started not sleeping and breaking into crying fits at the mention of Ms. Hassle or school. She would cling to me when it was time to get out of the station wagon and go inside. I would ask Ms. Hassle if she knew of any children Megan might be having a problem with. Of course, she told me there was no problem. It didn’t click that she was the problem until I requested a meeting with her. One that she hadn’t asked for. She tried to put me off until next month. When I said I wanted a meeting earlier than that, things got ugly quick.”