The color drained from Phillip’s face. He gathered his notebook and stood up as if in slow motion. Dan looked at him sympathetically, but Miranda and Sam beamed. Once in the hallway, Phillip tried to slow his breathing. Just get through today, he thought. All that matters is tonight, helping Cedar. Calm down. Breathe in. Breathe out. Phillip had never been to see the principal. He didn’t even think Mr. Busch knew who he was. What would his mom say?
His footsteps echoed on the tile floor. He slipped in to the office and sat down by the principal’s door so quietly that the administrative assistant didn’t even know he was there. After a few phone calls she finally noticed him.
“Oh! Hello there. What can I do for you?”
“I was sent here by Mrs. Doneway.”
She looked at him for a moment. “Are you sure?”
Phillip nodded. She tilted her head and said, “All right.” Picking up the phone she dialed Mr. Busch. “Yes, sir, Phillip Rogers here to see you. Yes, yes. Grade 6. Yep. Mrs. Doneaway. OK?”
The door opened suddenly and there stood Mr. Busch. His shiny bald head sat squarely on his long narrow frame. He towered over Phillip in his dark suit, his mustache twitching, and said, “Phillip, why don’t you come in and have a seat?” He gestured for Phillip to come inside.
Phillip’s legs would not obey him. He stared up at Mr. Busch and thought he’d faint. All his life he’d never even had a timeout during class. Phillip was sure that Mr. Busch didn’t even know who he was until this very second. He tried to stand, his legs wiggling like Jell-O on a plate.
Slowly he made his way into the dark, expansive office. Mr. Busch heaved his large self down on to the wooden chair opposite from Phillip.
“So,” Mr. Busch said, “tell me about what happened in class.”
Phillip had absolutely no idea what to say. He felt as if his mouth was full of sand and grit. The silence continued.
“You are friends with Cedar, are you not?”
How did he know that? Phillip thought. Do principals know everything? Do they run surveillance videos in classrooms? It seems Mr. Busch did know who he was after all.
“Yes, sir, I am,” he squeaked.
“And I’m sure you’re really worried, with her being in the hospital and everything that’s happened.”
“Yes, sir, very worried.”
Mr. Busch tapped his fingers slowly on his desk. Thump, thump, thump. Phillip gulped, and unsuccessfully tried to restore moisture to his mouth. What was this towering man going to do?
“Did this have anything to do with why Mrs. Doneaway sent you down here?” His eyes, Phillip noticed, were warm and not scary as he gave Phillip his chance at an explanation.
“Ahh, yes, sir, it did. You see, I’m going to visit with Cedar tonight, and she had all these awful tests done on her today, so I’m worried that she’ll be in a lot of pain. I know I wasn’t paying attention today in class, and sir, it will never happen again.”
Mr. Busch nodded and said, “Give Cedar my best tonight, okay?”
Phillip wasn’t sure he was done. That couldn’t be all the big and powerful principal would do, could it? Mr. Busch motioned Phillip to the door.
“Thank you, Mr. Busch.” And then Mr. Busch actually smiled as Phillip walked out the door. Phillip shook his head in disbelief.
The bell rang for the end of the day, and Phillip rushed into his classroom to grab his backpack and avoid Mrs. Doneaway.
“Hey!” Dan said, packing up his backpack, “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Phillip nodded, “Do you think many people are coming?”
“I have no idea, man, but I’ll be there.” Dan said again, as he clapped Phillip on the back, and they ran outside for the bus.