Everything Will Be OK

It was finally lunch break and I brought Taylor back into my classroom. “Please take a seat Taylor, I believe we need to talk.” I said, gesturing her to the desk in front of me. She awkwardly sat down crossing her pale, scrawny legs. Her face was stained with tears. “Mr. Way, can we please not-“I cut her off. “Gerard. Remember call me Gerard. ”I corrected her. “Ok then, Gerard. Can we please not talk about this right now? I’m not in the mood.” She whimpered. “Taylor, we are going to have to figure this out sooner or later.” She sighed. “Fine.” She replied crossing her arms.

I began with my first question. “Ok so I want you to be straight forward with me. Now, when during the day does your stepmother usually beat you?” I asked in a soft, sympathetic tone.” Usually when I get home from school, while my dad is at work.” She explained, rubbing her red, puffy eyes as a result from the sobbing earlier. “So does your dad know that she does this to you?” I questioned her. ”Oh yeah, definitely, he just doesn’t really care.” My heart was filled with sadness from what she was saying about her uncaring parents. “Taylor I think a good idea for keeping you safe, would be if u stayed with me and Mikey at our house everyday afterschool until your dad gets home from work.” I suggested, hoping for an agreement. She raised her eyebrows in confusion. “But my stepmom would never let me stay with you guys after school. She would just not allow it!” I tried to think of an alternative to this situation. “Here, how bout when you come over to our house, you can just tell them that you are just getting after school help here with me.” A slight grin crept onto her face. “Actually, that could probably work.” Her face brightened up. “Great! Then starting today after school, walk with Mikey to my house, and I will meet you both there.” She nodded in acknowledgement, grabbed her things and left. I sighed in relief. It made me feel good to know that she would be safe now under my watch.

Notes