Chapter 2: What the Teacher Knew
Sky's mother waited until Nova was distracted by the cardboard rocket.
I couldn't take my eyes off her.
“What do you mean, that wasn't the worst part?””
She glanced toward the backyard.
“Can we talk somewhere private?””
I nodded.
We went into the kitchen.
Through the window, I could see Sky sitting beside Nova beneath the balloon arch.
Nova was showing her every detail of the rocket.
“The second seat is important,” she explained.
Sky laughed.
“I know.””
I closed the kitchen door.
“What happened?””
The woman introduced herself as Elena.
She had been at school pickup with me dozens of times, but we'd never spoken more than hello.
“I almost didn't bring Sky today,” Elena said.
“Why?””
“Because of the message.””
My jaw tightened.
“What exactly did it say?””
“I showed you.””
“Was there more?””
Elena pulled out her phone.
“There was.””
She opened a group conversation.
My name wasn't in it.
Nova's name was.
My stomach turned.
The first message came from Mrs. Carter, Nova's teacher.
Parents, please understand that Nova's needs make certain activities difficult. We should be mindful about putting children in situations where they may feel responsible for accommodating her.
Then another parent replied:
Exactly. The kids shouldn't have to change everything.
Another:
It might be better if Nova had a smaller social circle.
Then:
Her mother seems determined to make every activity inclusive.
Elena locked her phone.
“I saw those last night.””
“And nobody told me?””
“I wanted to.””
“Then why didn't you?””
She looked embarrassed.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Being next.””
The words sat between us.
I thought about the school hallway.
The birthday invitations Nova had handed out.
The way Mrs. Carter had smiled when Nova told her about the astronaut theme.
That sounds wonderful, sweetheart.
She had said that.
I remembered it clearly.
“So the teacher knew families were canceling?””
Elena nodded.
“She encouraged it.””
My fingers curled against the counter.
“Are you sure?””
“I saved everything.””
She handed me her phone.
There was another message.
Mrs. Carter again.
If your child has already accepted an invitation, please reconsider. We don't want Nova to become overly dependent on classmates for participation.
I stared at the screen.
Dependent.
My daughter had never asked anyone to carry her.
She had never asked anyone to push her chair.
She had never asked anyone to cancel a game.
She had asked one thing.
To be invited.
Elena's voice softened.
“Sky came home crying.””
“Why?””
“She said Nova kept eating lunch alone.””
I looked toward the backyard.
“Why didn't Nova tell me?””
“Because she doesn't want you to worry.””
That sounded exactly like my daughter.
I turned toward the window.
Sky had found a glow-in-the-dark star under the table.
She held it up dramatically.
“Look! A meteor!””
Nova laughed.
I pressed my palm against the glass.
Elena whispered,
“There was one more thing.””
I turned.
“Of course there was.””
She hesitated.
“Mrs. Carter told the children something.””
“What?””
“That Nova doesn't like being treated differently.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“She told them Nova gets upset when people ask too many questions about her wheelchair.””
I stared at her.
“But that's not true.””
“I know.””
Elena's voice became quieter.
“She told the kids Nova is sensitive.””
My chest tightened.
“She made it sound like avoiding Nova was helping her.””
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then the back door opened.
Nova rolled inside.
She was holding the cardboard rocket.
“Mom?””
I immediately wiped my face.
“Hey, birthday girl.””
She looked at Elena.
“Are you Sky's mom?””
“Yes.””
“Thank you for coming.””
Elena smiled.
“Thank you for inviting us.””
Nova looked down at the rocket.
“Sky made this.””
“I can see that.””
Nova's eyes brightened.
“She made me the captain.””
Sky appeared behind her.
“And I'm the co-pilot.””
Nova grinned.
Then she looked at me.
“Mom, can Sky stay?””
I smiled.
“As long as her mom says yes.””
Elena nodded.
“Absolutely.””
For the next hour, the backyard finally sounded like a birthday party.
Two girls.
One magician.
A rocket.
And twenty-eight empty chairs.
I thought that was all the damage the adults had done.
I was wrong.
That evening, after Sky and Elena left, Nova fell asleep on the couch with the cardboard rocket resting against her chest.
I covered her with a blanket.
Then I went upstairs.
My phone buzzed.
A new email.
The subject line was from the school principal.
*Concern Regarding Nova's Conduct*
I opened it.
There were no accusations in the body.
Only one sentence:
We need to meet tomorrow morning regarding an incident involving Nova and another student.
I read it again.
Then I noticed the attachment.
A photograph.
It showed Nova standing outside her classroom.
And behind her stood Mrs. Carter.
But someone had circled another detail in red.
A locked storage room.
The same room where the school kept Nova's wheelchair charger.
My phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a text from Elena.
Please don't go to that meeting alone.
May you like
Then another message arrived.
I know what really happened in that hallway.
