152 Mrs. Golladay 4 (1/2)

I shrugged, not sure where to start.

”Let's start with Mrs. Golladay.” Dr. Moore decided. ”Today was your first time meeting her?”

I nodded.

Mr. Atkins frowned. ”I thought you were supposed to meet her on the first day of school?”

”She was too busy.” Noah replied. ”I tried getting her to see Jake on the first day so I would be there with him, but it was a no go.”

”It took her this long to meet with you?” Mr. Atkins had a notebook of his own in front of him and was taking notes. ”Unbelievable. Tell us how everything went down. Don't leave anything out. Include what you were feeling, okay?”

I cleared my throat. ”I was nervous going in. Then anxious when the door to the office was shut. She-she-She reminded me of my mother.”

”How so?” Dr. Moore interrupted.

”Her demeanor. She was loud, demanding, and a little aggressive.” I took a deep breath. ”I may be over-sensitive. I was expecting someone calm like Dr. Moore and got caught off guard.”

Dr. Moore looked a little surprise. ”Yes, a counselor is similar to a therapist. But a school counselor would have placed more focus on your academics, whereas I focus more on your mental health. Did you guys discuss school at all?”

I thought back. ”She said 'unimpressive' and 'wasted excellence' and I don't participate or communicate. She had received progress reports from my teachers.” I bit my bottom lip before speaking up. ”Then she brought up baseball.”

Mr. Atkins started tapping his pen against his notebook. ”This doesn't sound like you had a meeting with a counselor at all. And I'd like to see these so-called progress reports from your teachers.” He looked at his wife, who was radiating anger. ”Mary. Have you received any progress reports from his teachers.”

Mrs. Atkins shook her head. ”No. They send email updates to Doug though. And as far as I know, there hasn't been any negative comments.” She looked to Dr. Moore. ”Do you have any clue in regards to these progress reports?”

Dr. Moore made a face. ”As far as I know, Jake doesn't struggle academically. This conversation has raised many red flags for me as a therapist and a guide for children. Counselors wouldn't use appalling terms in front of students with such special circumstances. But I would like Jake to continue for now. An academic focused counselor bringing up athletics sounds dubious.” He nodded at me. ”Why did she bring up baseball?”

Um. I looked down at me hands and tried to think of what to say or what to tell them.

”Don't hold back Jake.” Noah spoke up from beside me. ”This lady is already in the wrong. You might as well say everything in one go. Mom and Dad will have your backs.”

I looked up at his parents, who looked at me with earnest. Especially Mrs. Atkins. She came and got me from the police and even dared them to give her a heavy fine. She was the definition of a formidable opponent. She could solve any and all problems that came her way. In my first weekend she dried my tears, bailed me and Noah out of trouble, and got me my first wooden bat so I could play baseball again.

”She asked me how I made the varsity team. Something about you guys giving the coach money. Zeke was brought up too...she thinks he's blackmailing Coach.” My attention fell back to my hands and my voice got small. ”'Timid. Mute. Faint-hearted. Undeserved special treatment.' I got scared and wanted to run. So I left. I didn't want to go back to math where she could find me. And I didn't know where Zeke and Noah were, so I kept running.”