“She said she had lived all over and that she had no parents and asked could I keep her for a while. I'd been so lonely—”
Erica wrapped her arms around her mother's shoulders. Margaret nestled her head against her daughter's chest and felt the thrum of her blood. “I don't know why I did it, but I had fallen and she saved me.”
“But there is something wrong with the child,” Diane said. “She is … delusional. All this business with the school and now the police. Maybe she's escaped from an institution. Maybe she needs help.”
“I'm her help.”
“And she is saying she is an angel. Messenger from God. Hello?” She towered over her sister and her niece. “You yourself said she was going to fly off a bridge. Someone could have been hurt, or killed. If you want to help, take her to a doctor at least. See what's wrong. She's not one of us, and we cannot keep pretending forever.”
22
During the broadcast of morning announcements, he filled the doorway to Mrs. Pattersons room and hooked her to him with one curled finger. As the teacher turned her back on the students, she heard the first whispers, and all of the children knew at once why Mr. Taylor had come. Norah stood quietly and waited to be called. As she passed Mrs. Patterson, she felt the woman reach out and lightly brush the crown of her hair. For the next hour, Mrs. Patterson's fingers tingled as if frostbitten.
The principal and the child walked side by side down the corridors in grave silence, exchanging glances at each corner to make sure the other was following the same path. Behind the closed door of his office, Mr. Taylor loosened his tie and undid the top button of his shirt. He cast off the stern demeanor he wore in public and forced a smile. Norah grinned back at him and knotted her hands in her lap.
“Miss Quinn. Norah. You have made quite an impression here at Friendship in the time you've been here.”
“Two months.”
“Is that all? It seems much longer. How are you finding our school? Everything to your satisfaction?”
“I love it here, Mr. Taylor, though I am sorry about your car.”
“My car?” For the first time since the incident, he allowed the possibility that the explosion was no accident. The demure child in front of him chased away such speculation. “Yes, never mind about the car. I've wanted to speak to you about another matter. I'm sure you noticed the group of ladies outside school today—”
“You mean the ones who yelled at me and Sean Fallon? One of them called me a name I'm not allowed to say.”
“So you know how angry they are. I want you to know I am not angry with you, per se, but just concerned about this whole business. It's become a disruption to the school, and when I spoke to your grandmother when it first happened, she said it wouldn't happen again, but it has happened again, and as I say, I am a bit worried about you. And your feelings.”
She fidgeted in her chair. A scarlet streak flashed by the window, a cardinal.
“Norah, if you and your grandmother agree, I'd like you to talk to a doctor—”
“A psychiatrist, Mr. Taylor?”
A jay landed in the branches outside and screamed angrily.
“Yes, no. A counselor. Someone trained to discuss some of the thoughts you've been having. The things that you've claimed.”
“But I'm not crazy.”
His voice rose and quickened. “Nobody said you were. This is just someone who could help you understand what you've been thinking.”
“Is this about being an angel?”
Three sparrows hopped across the outer windowsill. He breathed in deeply and exhaled a long sigh. “You can't keep going around saying such things. You are jeopardizing your place at this school, not just among the other children, but with Mrs. Patterson, and the parents too. Do you realize what people are saying about you and your grandmother? That stunt on the bridge could have been far more serious, young lady, than you might suppose. What if someone fell into the river? Mrs. Mansur says you should be suspended, and Mrs. Tilghman threatened to go to the school board if you weren't immediately expelled. They say you are teaching their children to think dangerous thoughts.”
All the birds flew away. She no longer stared through the window but gave him her full attention.
“Now, I'm trying to be reasonable here. I've called your home a number of times but nobody answers, so I have a note for you to give to your grandmother to come see me. Maybe we can talk this through and meet with some of the other parents, explain the situation. I'm sure if you apologize and agree to counseling, they will be understanding. But you must tell the truth. I don't want to see you in any more trouble, Miss Quinn, but I can't have this kind of disruption any longer in my school, and I hope you will give some serious consideration to seeing this doctor.”