A girl’s hand went up. “Under ‘Father’s Name,’ what do you put if you don’t know who your father is?”
Even for a tough school, some of the kids acted a little shocked. “You don’t know who your father is?” someone asked.
She lifted her chin several inches and looked him straight in the eyes. “No,” she said, a little too loudly.
I liked this girl. She was tough, yes, but she had a core of goodness in her. I felt a flash of protectiveness. If anyone was going to mess with her, they’d have to go through me first.
“Oh,” I said. “Yes, thank you. I forgot to mention that. If you don’t know who your father is, put N/A.”
N/A? It was a ridiculous thing to say, I know, but I was desperately improvising while trying to sound casual, and I’ve never been a quick thinker.
But at least nobody gave her a hard time after that. Maybe they sensed they would have had to go through me first.
Oh, and she inexplicably mails me a cactus every Valentine’s Day. And I’m like, “Thanks a heap, coyote ugly. This cactus-gram stinks even worse than your abandonment.” ~Juno MacGuff of her biological mother in the movie, Juno
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ReplyDeleteI'll try again!
ReplyDeleteI'll bet she had some experience knowing how others would react to her statement. Hope she realized you were reaching out to her.
Pat
Critter Alley
Poor kid. I hear stuff like that and it breaks my heart. Unfortunately, her situation isn't the only one of its kind.
ReplyDelete"Oh yes, thank you," is a wonderful response, Tammy. Thinking on your feet!
ReplyDeleteK
Tammy, you are a gem of a teacher. When I read your cactus quote, I envisioned your porch having a cactus like Lynn's.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a shock when you hear something like that. You certainly thought on your feet - well done:-)
ReplyDeleteNice reaction to a delicate situation, but your thoughtfulness didn't surprise me.
ReplyDeleteGreat response. You think on your feet and with your heart.
ReplyDelete