I walk through the office doors.
Aunt Bee’s assistant, Mrs. Blake,
waves me on through.
She’s waiting for you, she says,
and I try not to cry.
Aunt Bee is sitting at her desk
when I step into her office.
I sit down in the seat I
always sit in, like it will
somehow keep me safe
from what’s coming.
She stares at my face
for a minute before she says,
Is something wrong, Paulie?
She sounds concerned,
not a bit angry like
I thought she’d be.
I shrug
and look at my feet.
She clears her throat.
I wanted to give you a little time
to adjust to school, she says.
But now that you have, I think
you’re ready. I watch her stand.
I’m so confused my face
starts burning.
Does she know
or doesn’t she?
Aunt Bee kneels in front of me.
She takes one of my hands in hers.
I want you to meet the school
counselor today, she says.
You’ll be seeing her for a while,
just to talk.
I don’t hear anything else she says
after that. The whole room fades
and the only person I see
is my daddy.