Grace admitted concert tickets had been offered if she “helped people remember Dad does stuff.”
“I told him no,” Claire said. “He called me ungrateful. He said after everything he pays for, I could do one thing for him.”
Her voice cracked.
“I didn’t tell you because I thought you’d be embarrassed.”
I sat beside her.
“None of you did anything wrong. He was the adult here.”
“You never need to protect me from your father’s choices.”
Claire looked down. “I know.”
I shook my head.
“No. I should have made that clear sooner.”
Then I looked at all six children.
“None of you did anything wrong. He was the adult here.”
In the office, she explained everything herself.
On Monday morning, I requested a meeting with Mrs. Carter.
Claire asked to come.
In the office, she explained everything herself.
Mrs. Carter looked sick.
“During the nomination process, teachers asked several of the children informal questions about their parents,” she said. “Some of their answers were included in the nomination file. Richard also submitted a statement describing his involvement with school events, fundraisers, and homework at home.”
