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Rose waited with all the other students being picked up by their parents. Her mother had visited for a few days over spring break and promised to take time off at the start of the summer so they could take a trip. She hadn't ever been on a trip with her mother and wondered if it would be like the trip she took last winter with Lissa's family.
As time passed Rose watched as each child was picked up one family at a time. Lissa's parents had been one of the first to get there but agreed to wait for Rose's mother with her. Lissa and Rose talked about all the possible places her mother could take her. They both knew it would only be for a week but both girls were overjoyed. They waved as the last student, Eddie, was picked up and promised to write letters to him over the break. After an hour Lissa's father patted both girls on the head and told them he'd be right back.
"But what if my mom gets here while you're gone? You said you wanted to meet her." Rose turned to Lissa's father with wide eyes.
"I'm sure I'll be back in time." He said with a sad smile. Rose looked at Lissa's mother who was holding back tears.
Rose didn't know why they seemed so upset. Her mother would be there soon. She was just running a little late. Rose watched Lissa's father walk toward the school. She knew the path he was walking. It was the quickest way to the headmaster's office. She wondered why he needed to talk to her.
Turning back to Lissa the girls played a hand-clapping game while they waited. Rose heard Lissa's mother talking to Andre. They were whispering so Rosee didn't try to hear what they were saying, but the woman didn't sound happy with what she was being told.
It was starting to get dark by the time Lissa's father came back. He was walking faster than Rose had ever seen him walk before and running one of his hands through his hair. He was muttering to himself and when he reached the group he pulled his wife away from them. Rose and Lissa looked at each other.
"Do you think he's mad?" Rose asked.
"I think so. But I've never seen Daddy so mad." Lissa waved Andre over. The boy looked between the two groups both shaking his head and walking over.
"Why's daddy mad?"
"I don't know yet," Andre said sitting between both girls and pulling both into a hug. "Whatever it is I'm sure Mom and Dad will take care of it."
Lissa's father was pointing at Rose while he spoke. His shoulders were shaking and the hand that wasn't pointing was held in a tight fist. Lissa's mother had her hand held over her mouth the tears Rose saw in her eyes before now falling. She shook her head before rushing back over to the children. She pulled all three into a tight hug. The hug was tighter than the ones Lissa or the other kids gave Rose. Rose saw Lissa's father sigh and walk over.
"Rose, how would you like to spend the summer with us?" Lissa's mother asked.
"But my mom promised. Did something happen?"
The adults shared a look with each other before Lissa's father knelt down so he was on Rose's level. He put a hand on her shoulder and made sure to look her in the eyes.
"The people your mother works for won't give her the time off."
Rose tilted her head it was the same thing she had been told the time her mother hadn't come to her birthday after Rose sent her a card telling her about the party. Or the time the teachers put together a small party because she was the only student who finished the end-of-year obstacle course they put together. She sent her mother a card then too. Or when they had a Christmas party and Rose asked her to come. The more Rose thought about the more it sounded like a lie.
"Oh. That's okay. I'd love to spend the summer with you." Rose tried to sound happy, but the way he pulled her into a hug told her she failed.
He picked her up holding her close to his chest, and stood up. The family walked to the car they had parked nearby. Rose looked out the window while the drove away from the school. Her mother didn't care about her. There wasn't a boss keeping her away from Rose she chose to break her promise. Just like she chose to abandon Rose at the academy. She had two parents and they didn't care about her.