The In Between

Laurel stepped out of her car onto the school grounds. She had gotten a call that her daughter had hit another child. This was the second time this month and she was as confused about it as the principal who gave the call. What could be causing this behaviour? Her baby was usually well-behaved. She steadied her legs in her Steve Madden pumps as she neared the principal's office, composed her face into neutral to give nothing away, knocked and went in upon hearing the 'come in'. Her composure almost went out the window when she saw him already sitting there, assuming a commanding aura of the man she was formerly in love with. The fact that he got here before her angered her. It deepened that little pinch of irresponsibility that was already nipping at her. The 'him' in question is Ryan Caddel Stoll, her annoyingly attractive ex-husband and father of her tyrannical daughter. He was the type that would get favours just off his looks alone which was understandable because he was at a height of six foot one, with black hair and stormy grey eyes. She subtly recomposed herself and then took the seat beside him and sat down. Their daughter, the cause of the reunion, Rénee Rae, was in the middle of both parents. "Alright", started the principal, Mrs Mac Miller. "Now that you're both here, I'll begin by asking, is Rénee usually troublesome at home?" "No", answered Ryan. "Not at all", said Laurel. "I understand that you're divorced so may I ask who this child spends the most time with?" For the first time since the meeting started, Ryan turned his head to look at Laurel. Laurel, feeling offended by the slight gesture, spoke. "Is that to say I'm irresponsible?" "She asked a question, I only answered it". Mrs MacMiller sensing the atmosphere, rephrased. "I asked so as to know who to direct my next questions to. So Mrs Stoll-" "Just call me Laurel, I still have that name because I couldn't change it". Ryan scoffed at this. "Rightt. So Laurel, does Rénee act rash at home?" "No". "Any signs of violence or bad tantrums?" "No, what's your point ma'am?" "I didn't mean to offend you, I was just trying to understand why it is that your daughter is starting to make it a habit of hitting people", MacMiller said. "And I think I get it now". "Before becoming the principal of this school, I was briefly a counselor at another school and from what I can tell, your daughter is acting out because she wants your attention. Equally, from the both of you". "She gets that a lot", replied Ryan. "She's never ignored, that is made sure of". Laurel nodded in agreement. "Mr Stoll, how often do you see your daughter?". "Every week". "Ideally, it should be everyday for optimum father-daughter and even mother-daughter relations". "She knows that you were all once a family and now she doesn't see that anymore. She's 6, the concept of a divorce hasn't fully hit. So, I don't know how you want to work that out but if you want the best for your daughter which I know you do, you should pay more attention to her. The girl she hit had no injuries meaning her parents will be easy to talk to so you can leave that to me. But this cannot happen again or there'll be bigger sanctions, understood Rénee?Yes, that is all". Outside the office, Ryan knelt down to speak to his daughter. "Rénee would you like ice cream on Saturday?" "We had that last time, daddy". "Oh. Well", he said, rising up. Feeling some rejection and awkwardness he said, "I have to go back to work soon so-". "Ohhhh, guess I'm unemployed now. I kind of agree with the principal you know. Apparently, this co-parenting thing we're doing isn't really working out for her and we gotta talk about it and find something to do about it". "Well, unless you've got a solution right now, it's pointless standing around arguing, especially with her listening to all of these. I'll come to your place later today and we can talk about it but I really need to get back. I'll see you then, probably by 7 if I'm done by then. Rae, daddy has to go okay, but I'll come to the house after. Anything you want?" "We're out of Snickers so...", she said, twisting her fingers. Ryan laughed, "Okay, Snickers. Got it". "Erm, I'm sorry about today". "It's okay, baby we'll talk about it together", and to Laurel he said, "Gotta go". "And if you're not done by 7, what should I do?". "What do you mean?" "You said, 'I'll see you then, probably by 7 if I'm done', so if you're not? I should stay up till midnight? Cause I can't expect you to arrive and you won't show". "That only happened-" "Because of work? Yeah, 'cause of work, you'll say. I understand but you need to look at it from my end too. I didn't like that and oh, that's not the only time that's happened by the way but let's not drag things". Obviously annoyed, Ryan said, "I'll be there by 7". "Okay, 7". "And when I get there, we will talk about the other instances", he said before walking to his car and driving off. Silently she said, "Jerk". Then she and her daughter walked to the car and went home while Mrs MacMiller observed them from her office and made a note.