I found her in the library, with her councilor and the other kids with whom she spends time with after school. Her head was down leaning on Ms. Diana’s shoulder. I felt no energy. Usually I get the vibrant energy of kids when I pick the Runtyun up. I knew something was up. The councilor gave me a look that told me volumes, yet nothing specific. I could feel the egg shells under my boots.

When I get done with work, I always make a beeline to get the Runtyun. She has been at school since before 7:30 and by the time I am done with work, it is usually after 5:00. A long time to be cooped up and under the watchful eyes of adults. I look forward to seeing her and sucking up some of the energy that floats around. It never fails, I feel a little surge of energy when I walk into the center.

Yet today, she had nothing to give and I could see the other kids were not very animated. Ms. Diane’s look and the Runtyuns’ apathy told me I had some parenting to do.

We walked out in silence. Of course there was a hug and her hand found mine. Yet, there was nothing. Oh boy, this is real, I thought.

I am a guy as well as a father, by definition that makes me a fixer. I like to fix things and when something ain’t right I go at it and try to get it right---right away. This was not one of those times though. She would have to give a little for me to figure out what to do---I had to wait it out.

Finally I prompted with, “So what is going on?” this was just what she needed. It turns out her teacher was out and the substitute was not the normal one, but one who was used to older kids and a more strict attitude. It seems she and the teacher butted heads all day long.

I thought about all sorts of things to say;

Think about how the teacher felt

Maybe you were not the model student

Well, it's over now, get over it and give me your smile

Tomorrow is another day

You know the stuff we say to get everything back in line. I kept my mouth shut and thought, and thought.

The day was done and there was nothing we could do to repair it, so what to do? There was no changing anything and I would be wasting time trying to justify the teacher. I think she needed to merely purge the day.

I had heard about drawing a picture of something and destroying it to get rid of the evilness of something. Well, burning an effigy of her teacher seemed like dealing with a dirty tooth by pulling it out---overkill was not my goal. So we talked a bit and worked our way to a little giggle. Finally I suggested a drawing: One of her teacher and maybe she could make it a caricature.

The interior of the truck lit up! Sunset flooded the cab and her smile nearly caused an accident. She could not wait to get home and start on this project.

When the pictogram was finished, she was back to her normal self and the picture cathartic. The picture reminded me of a character in a cartoon she likes---Ruby Gloom.

I think this was a harmless way to vent her frustrations.

Any ideas here?

Thanks for reading this, olc