Bound to a System, Six Years Too Early

Chapter 4: The Missing Hour

I went to the library after school with Tessa and asked the woman at the front desk whether she remembered us.

She didn't. But she searched the computer and found the sign-in record.

"Your library cards were scanned at 3:46," she said. "That's all I can confirm."

"Can we get a printout?"

"I can give your caseworker a copy if she sends a request."

I told Ms. Rowan. She said she would ask. The library record became the first piece of information I could point to without relying on my memory.

The second came from Kelsey.

I found her in the common room two days later, watching a cooking show. She was thirteen, with thick glasses and a bright orange sweater. She'd been at Alder House for three months.

"Did Tessa shove you?" I asked.

Kelsey muted the television.

"That's what the report says."

"I didn't write the report."

"I know. Did she?"

Kelsey picked at a loose thread on her sleeve. "She grabbed my arm."

"Why?"

"Because I was about to fall."

I sat on the edge of the couch. "What happened?"

"I dropped my tray. The floor was wet. She caught me before I hit the corner of the table." Kelsey looked at the blank television. "I told Mr. Pritchard that. He said I probably got confused."

"Did you tell Ms. Vance?"

"I did. She said she'd look into it."

I took out the purple pen and a small notebook.

Kelsey watched me. "Are you writing this down?"

"Only if you want me to."

"I don't want it to sound like I'm accusing anybody."

"You can write it yourself."

She took the pen from my hand and wrote a short statement on a page. Her handwriting was shaky, but she didn't cross anything out. She signed her name.

I didn't promise that it would fix things. I promised I'd give it to Ms. Rowan.

The system said, "Objective available: ask permission before sharing someone else's words."

"I did."

"Objective complete."

"I already know that."

"Reinforcement supports skill development."

I felt like arguing, but I didn't. The voice had no face to glare at.

That afternoon, the building's weekly activity sheet was taped to the bulletin board. Tessa was supposed to go to the recreation center with me. Her name had been crossed out, and "separate activity" was written beside it.

She stood in front of the board, staring.

"Are they separating us because of the report?" I asked.

"Probably."

"Do you want to go without me?"

"No."

"Then don't."

"They can say I'm a bad influence."

"They can say whatever they want."

"Exactly." She turned away. "I'm not giving them more material."

The next day, I was called to a meeting with Ms. Vance, Ms. Rowan, and Tessa's caseworker, a woman named Celia Brooks. I had been told I could attend "for support." Tessa sat beside me, hands folded in her lap.

Ms. Vance started with the incident report. "There was an altercation in the common area. Tessa's account differs from the staff notes."

"Which staff notes?" Ms. Rowan asked.

Ms. Vance looked down at her folder. "The initial report."

"Who wrote it?"

"Mr. Pritchard."

"And the second witness?"

"Staff member on duty."

"Name?"

Ms. Vance's jaw tightened. "The file is being reviewed."

Ms. Brooks turned to Tessa. "Did you touch Kelsey?"

"I grabbed her arm because she was slipping."

"Did you argue with her?"

"No."

"Did you shove her?"

"No."

Ms. Vance said, "There's no reason to believe anyone meant harm, but we have to respond to the report."

"What response?" Ms. Brooks asked.

"Temporary separation from some activities. A transfer may be considered if we can't resolve the safety concerns."

Tessa's hand pressed against mine beneath the table.

I stood up. "That isn't what happened."

Ms. Vance looked at me. "Nora, sit down."

"I was with Tessa at the library that night."

"Please let the adults handle this."

"I'm not saying she didn't help Kelsey. I'm saying the report has the wrong time."

Ms. Rowan reached for her folder. "I have the library scan. I'm waiting for the official copy."

Ms. Brooks turned to Ms. Vance. "Why does the report list an event at 7:15 when this child says they were at the library?"

Ms. Vance looked at me for a long moment. "We'll need to clarify that."

The meeting ended without a decision. It felt like a small win until I noticed Tessa's face. She wasn't relieved. She looked tired.

Outside, she said, "Now they'll say you're making things up for me."

"I'm not."

"I know." Her voice cracked at the edge. "That doesn't mean they'll believe you."