Chapter 4: At the Principal’s Door
By the time I reached the school parking lot, my hands were shaking so badly I could barely turn off the engine.
I hurried through the front doors, past the trophy case, past the bulletin board covered in paper suns and spelling bee announcements.
The receptionist looked up and immediately stood.
“Mrs. Carter?”
“Where is she?”
“Principal Harris is waiting.”
Waiting.
The word made everything worse.
I followed her down the hall, my mind racing through possibilities.
Had Emma been accused of stealing?
Had she broken some rule by giving Caleb the shoes?
Had another parent complained?
When I reached the office, Principal Harris stood by the door.
His face was pale.
Not angry.
Not stern.
Pale.
That frightened me more than anger would have.
“Where’s Emma?” I asked.
He lowered his voice.
“She’s inside.”
Then he glanced toward the closed office door.
“Someone is here to see her.”
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