The next day another note appeared.
She was a good student: thoughtful, fun and serious in her studies.
“Coward.”
I laughed.
I never told Lily about Maggie or treated her differently than my other students. But little by little, I stopped getting nervous every time I walked through the door.
Then some time after the winter break, Lily changed.
I stopped preparing mentally every time she walked through the door.
He started to deliver his tasks late.
Then, not at all.
He went from taking outstanding and remarkable to suspending two exams in a row.
One Friday, I handed out a brief test.
Twenty minutes later, everyone was writing except Lily.
His page was blank.
Some time after the winter break, Lily changed.
She was crying in silence.
I walked over and crouched by his desk.
“Lily.”
He dried his face quickly. “I’m fine.”
“No, you are not. Come out with me.”
