“I didn’t expect you to bring the nanny,” Douglas says, glancing at me.
He’s got more questions, but he’s careful about what he’s asking while in the presence of a young lady. Amelia, that is. I’m not sure he’d be so cautious in front of Clare. Douglas has always been rather direct.
“During the interview, I’ll be speaking with the headmaster. I’m sure that Amelia will be antsy, and should anyone from the academy be watching, I don’t want to risk her enrollment. Clare can make sure that she’s on her best behavior.”
“You’re trusting the nanny to keep the kid on her best manners? Man, you’ve got it backward,” Douglas says with a hearty laugh.
“What?” I glare at him.
“Kids are usually on their best behavior for their parents or authority figures. Not the nanny.”
I glance back over my shoulder. “Clare will keep her in line if she wants to remain employed,” I say, making sure the nanny hears my threat.
“Grumphole,” Clare mutters under her breath.
“What was that?” I shuffle around in the front seat, meeting her stare. If I were driving, I’d have stopped the vehicle for effect. However, that wouldn’t help us arrive at our appointment on time.
“I’ll do my best,” she says, forcing a smile.
“Do better than your best.” I shift back around, facing the front. I don’t want to admit I’m nervous for Amelia. My assistant explained that Amelia will be required to take an entrance exam for all three academies. Even money can’t guarantee placement if she’s too far behind. I could hire a tutor, if necessary, but she wouldn’t be allowed in until next fall if she doesn’t pass the exam.
She’s five.
What kind of exam are they doing?
Is she expected to know how to read? Write? Color in the lines?
I don’t know what the kid is capable of doing. Katelyn was in charge of her preschool education. I’m sure that she was sent to some type of early education program, but they might not have focused on anything more than teaching her letters and numbers.
I pray she knows that much. I should have sat with her yesterday and worked with her on flashcards while Connor was over. But I hadn’t known the extent of what would be asked of her until late last night.
When we arrive at the first school, one of the officials takes us on a tour of the academy before bringing Amelia to a small office. I ask Clare to wait in the hallway while they administer the exam.
She obliges without a word of concern.
I follow the headmistress into her office to speak candidly about Amelia.
“As your assistant and I discussed on the phone, Mr. Luxenberg, it all comes down to Amelia’s test scores. We need to feel confident that she will be able to thrive with our curriculum.” The woman pushes her glasses up her nose as they seem to keep sliding down.
“I understand that, and please know that if I need to secure her a tutor, I am more than willing to do that to ensure she has the best education available to her.”
“If I may be candid with you, it’s highly unusual for a child to enroll after the school year has begun.”
Had Nancy not explained the situation? “Amelia’s mother, Katelyn, died just a few days ago. They were living in Chicago. This whole situation is not what any of us expected.”
“Can you tell me about the school that your daughter was attending? We haven’t received any records yet of her previous placement.”
“It’s only been a few weeks. It’s not like there are transcripts for the first part of a semester in her first year.”
She sighs, realizing her mistake. “Was she in a private school in Chicago?”
“I don’t believe so, but only because I had been unaware of the situation.”
“Unaware? How could you be unaware of your daughter’s enrollment at a school if you were actively a part of your daughter’s life?”
“Her mother never told me about Amelia.”
“And why is that?” she asks. I know she’s judging me, thinking that I must not be worthy because I didn’t know my daughter existed.