"Mikaela, it's time to go to school," called out Annette.
"I'm not coming out until Daddy gets home!" Mikaela shouted back from her room.
"Daddy will meet you at school," lied Annette.
"OK," came Mikaela's reluctant reply.
The door clicked open, and Mikaela appeared, dressed and ready with her backpack.
"Let's go," said Annette, taking her hand.
Mikaela was still subdued as the quiet drive to school began.
She looked forlornly out the window, her mind elsewhere.
"All right, now be good," said Annette as they arrived at school.
"Where's Daddy?" asked Mikaela, looking around.
"He'll be here later," replied Annette.
"I'm not coming home until he gets here!" declared Mikaela.
"Fine, now get to class," said Annette, struggling to keep her composure.
Her phone buzzed just as she was about to get to her own class.
It was a text from Ruth. "Drop everything and get to the office. Now," it read.
With a growl, Annette dashed to the principal's office to take the day off.
----
