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“Mrs Bradford we need you to come to he school.” Lucy sighs and leans back against her chair wondering what child it was this time. Although she had a pretty good idea, it would either be Ava or Levi. Her two rambunctious, sassy ones who would probably stand on top of a desk and give a speech.
“Which one is it this time?” Lucy asks. She hears a sigh over the phone and rustling of papers.
“The thing is no one is in trouble.” The principal says. “I just have some concerns with a conversation that was overheard.”
“Oh.” Lucy says and now she is confused. “Is it bad?”
“It’s a little… fishy.” The principal says and there’s a hint of amusement in her voice. “I just want to talk to you and Ava.”
Ava.
“I will be right there.” Lucy says standing up and grabbing her stuff. She figures she won’t be back for the rest of the day. She hurries out to her car, and is about to get in when a voice stops her.
“Lucy!” She freezes and turns to see Tim walking towards her. “Where are you going?”
“The kids school.” She replies realizing she forgot to tell Tim. “The principal wants to talk to me… Ava isn’t in trouble but it’s fishy apparently.”
Tim frowns and then tilts his head at her. “What?” He asks. “What does that mean?” Lucy shrugs her shoulders.
“No idea.”
“Can I come?” He asks. “I’m curious and I’m not sure I want to hear second hand.”
“If you want to.” Lucy says. She tosses him the keys and he walks around to switch places with her. “I never know what we will walk into.”
“Something fishy.” Tim says as he starts the car and backs out. “You know that sounds like Ava.” Lucy rolls her eyes a little. Their ten year old had more sass in her little body than anyone Lucy knew. She was determined, stubborn and strong three traits she got from both of them. But she was also one of the most loving and warm hearted kids. She wore her heart on her sleeve, and was so protective of everyone she loved. Especially her siblings.
“What did the principal say exactly?” Tim asks after a few moments of silence.
“She said that she wants to talk to me about something she overheard.” Lucy says.
“Something Ava said?”
“Apparently. And lord knows the mouth on that girl.” Lucy says. “I’m sure it’s nothing..bad. I mean she’s not in trouble.”
“Or she’s just being nice.” Tim says turning into the driveway of the school. “Sometimes I don’t know where that girl came from.”
“Us.” Lucy says. “And a date night neither of us will forget.” Tim turns to grin at her looking smug.
Tim parks the car and then unbuckles before he’s turning to look at her. She smiles at him a little amused. “Are you ready?” She asks.
“Am I ever?” He shoots back. “No. But let’s get this over with.” Lucy nods and climbs out of the car herself. She meets Tim on the other side and he takes her hand and they walk inside the school.
Ava is sitting in the chair by the principal’s office reading a book. She looks up when they come in and her whole face goes white.
“You brought dad?” She asks. “Why?”
“He wanted to come.” Lucy says sitting down next to her. “Aves, what did you do?” Ava doesn’t say anything instead she just turns away.
“Ava.” Tim starts but he’s interrupted by the principal stepping out.
“Mr. And Mrs. Bradford. Ava. Come on in.” She says. They follow her in and take a seat in the chairs in front of her desk. Ava squirms uncomfortably but still doesn’t look at them.
“I just want to preface by saying Ava is not in trouble but it did bring up concerns and we want to squash it now rather than later.” Mrs. Hopkins says. Lucy furrows her brows looking at her daughter and husband.
“What happened?” Tim asks.
Mrs. Hopkins looks at Ava and then at Lucy and Tim. “A new yard duty heard Ava and her friend talking about something at recess.” She starts. “This yard duty doesn’t know Ava or her friend so she had some concerns. She went to their teacher and when their teacher talked to the girls—” She pauses and Ava lets out a loud sigh.
“Yes?” Lucy asks even more confused.
“The girls refused to tell their teacher so she came to me. And I do know Ava so I managed to get it out of her.” Mrs. Hopkins says a smile playing on her lips. “They were talking about getting a fake ID card.”
Lucy gapes at her a little stunned, wondering how her ten year even thought of that. “For what exactly?” Lucy asks.
“That’s why the yard duty was concerned. She couldn’t exactly hear what they were saying.” Mrs. Hopkins says. “Ava, do you want to tell your parents what it was for?”
“Tobuyafish.” Ava mutters. Lucy exchanges a look with Tim and by the look on his face he didn’t understand either.
“What?”
“Tobuyafish.”
“Ava Rose. Speak clearly.” Tim says his voice stern. Ava finally looks up at him, her face a little flushed.
“To buy a fish.” She says. There’s a long silence in the room and then Lucy starts laughing and she has to cover her mouth when Ava glares at her.
“Oh my god Ava.” Tim says. “Why—”
“You have to be 18 or older to buy a fish from the pet store.” Ava says. “And I really want one of those rainbow fishes I see on cliptalk.”
“Aves. Ava.” Tim says hesitantly almost as if he’s not sure how to approach this. “Why didn’t you just ask? We—we would have discussed it.”
“You have been busy.” Ava says. “I just thought if I could get it myself. And I know how to drive.”
“Ava driving to target when you were eight does not mean you can or should drive.” Tim says drily. “And just because you want a fish doesn’t mean you should scheme to get a fake ID.” Lucy snorts again and then stops when she sees Mrs. Hopkins face.
“It’s a long story.” Lucy says and then she turns to Ava. “Your dad is right Ava. You should have just asked us.”
“I didn’t want to bug you.” Ava says hanging her head. “I’m sorry. But I had it all planned out—”
“I’m sure you did Ava.” Tim says looking like he’s trying not to laugh. “But you aren’t old enough for an ID. You aren’t old enough to drive. If you want something—ask. You don’t know what might come of it.”
Ava nods her head in understanding and Lucy is really glad this isn’t anything serious. Just a talk with Ava.
She’s only ten but she has to understand she can’t get a fake ID at any point in her life. No matter if it was a fish or not.
“I understand this is a little weird to be called in for.” Mrs. Hopkins says. “We just want to make sure Ava understands she probably shouldn’t scheme about something like that.”
“I know.” Ava says looking serious and then turns to Tim. “Daddy can I get a fish?” Tim sighs and looks up at the ceiling. Lucy watches knowing he’s thinking about it. Ava already has a her bunny Ducky. She always took good care of him, but a fish was another responsibility. She had to feed it and keep the tank clean. Ava could be responsible when she wanted to be but sometimes they had to remind her.
“We will see Ava.” Tim says looking over at Lucy who just nods. “Go get your stuff. We will talk about this later.” Ava leaves the office and Lucy is about to follow her when Mrs. Hopkins stops them.
“Ava is a good girl.” She says as Lucy turns to face her. “I don’t normally do this but that girl better get a fish.”
Lucy lets out a little laugh and Tim just shakes his head. Ava was a good girl and maybe having a fish would help her take some responsibility and teach her how to do things on time.
They would have to talk about it but it was a fishy story indeed.
***
“She just wanted a fish.” Lucy says to Tim later that night. “It’s so.. innocent.” Tim turns to look at her as he climbs into bed.
“It is.” He agrees. “I don’t think she would actually get a fake ID. Although you never know with Ava.”
“I think a fish would be good for all the kids.” Lucy says. “They could take turns caring for it. Ava does have a bunny.”
Tim doesn’t meet her eyes as he turns around to face her. “I already told Ava she could get a fish.” He says. “And then Daisy and the twins found out. They are all going in it together. The fish. The tank and the food. We just have to be there with them.”
“No fake ID.” Lucy says trying not to laugh. “For a fish.” Tim rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
“No fake ID.” He agrees. There’s a long silence and then Lucy is scooting closer to Tim.
“This was very—” She pauses and Tim raises his eyebrows at her.
“Fishy?” He asks looking amused.
“Indeed.” She says. “It was very fishy.”