Chapter 5: What the Teacher Saw
"Mr. Walter, Isaiah has been sharing his lunch with another student because he often doesn't have enough food.""
Walter didn't move.
He looked at the phone.
Then at Isaiah.
The little boy was staring at the floor.
"What did you say?"" Walter asked.
Mrs. Collins repeated herself.
"Isaiah has been giving part of his lunch to another child. Sometimes he says he isn't hungry. But I've noticed that he frequently arrives without a proper lunch.""
Walter closed his eyes.
"How long has this been happening?""
"Several weeks.""
"Several weeks?""
"Yes. I've spoken to him privately, but he insists everything is fine at home.""
Daniel's voice suddenly came through the speaker.
"Mrs. Collins, this is Isaiah's father. Can you hear me?""
"Oh, Mr. Daniel. Yes, I can.""
"Please tell me everything.""
There was a brief silence.
Then Mrs. Collins continued.
"Your son is a very kind little boy. He helps other students, shares his pencils, and never complains. But I've noticed he's been using the same worn-out backpack since last year.""
Walter looked at the camouflage bag.
"Yes. We know about that.""
"And his notebooks are nearly full. He's been writing in the margins because he doesn't have enough paper.""
Daniel lowered his head.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?""
Mrs. Collins answered carefully.
"I tried contacting the number listed for his mother. I left two messages.""
Tasha suddenly spoke.
"I never received those messages.""
Mrs. Collins paused.
"Mrs. Tasha, I spoke with you on Tuesday.""
Tasha froze.
"You said Isaiah was taking a short break from school because you were arranging his supplies.""
Daniel turned toward the phone.
"A short break?""
Mrs. Collins continued.
"I was concerned because Isaiah had missed three days. When I asked him about it, he told me his mother said he needed to wait until his new school things arrived.""
Walter looked at Tasha.
"Why didn't you tell us?""
She pressed her lips together.
Daniel spoke.
"Mrs. Collins, is Isaiah behind in his schoolwork?""
"Not academically. He's doing very well. In fact, he's one of my most attentive students.""
A faint smile appeared on Isaiah's face.
The teacher continued.
"But there's something else.""
Walter leaned closer.
"What else?""
"Last Friday, another student brought extra supplies to class. Isaiah refused to take them.""
"Why?""
"He said he didn't want anyone thinking he couldn't afford his own things.""
Walter looked down at the boy.
Isaiah's cheeks turned red.
Daniel's voice softened.
"Buddy, you didn't have to feel embarrassed.""
Isaiah shrugged.
"I didn't want people laughing.""
Nobody spoke.
Mrs. Collins continued.
"Mr. Walter, I also wanted to mention that Isaiah gave me a drawing last week. He asked me to keep it in my desk.""
Walter frowned.
"A drawing?""
"Yes. Would you like me to send you a photograph?""
"Please.""
A few seconds later, Walter's phone vibrated.
He opened the image.
It was a child's drawing of a family.
There were five figures.
A tall man wearing a blue shirt.
A woman in a dress.
Two girls with pink backpacks.
And a little boy standing beside them.
The boy's backpack was colored gray and green.
Above the picture, Isaiah had written:
My family going to school.
But the little boy in the drawing was standing several steps behind everyone else.
Walter's eyes filled.
"Isaiah?""
The child looked up.
"Yes, Grandpa?""
"Why are you standing so far away in this picture?""
Isaiah stared at the drawing.
Then he whispered:
"Because I didn't want to get in the way.""
Walter couldn't speak.
Daniel covered his mouth.
Tasha looked toward the window.
Mrs. Collins spoke gently through the phone.
"Isaiah is a wonderful student. I just want him to feel included.""
Walter thanked her and ended the call.
For several seconds, the living room remained silent.
Then Daniel spoke.
"Tasha, I need you to explain something.""
She rubbed her eyes.
"What now?""
"Did you know Isaiah was missing lunch?""
"He eats at home.""
"That's not what I asked.""
"Sometimes he isn't hungry.""
Walter shook his head.
"He's eight years old. He should never have to pretend he isn't hungry.""
Tasha stood.
"I cannot believe everyone is treating me like a criminal.""
Daniel replied, "Nobody is asking you to be perfect. We're asking you to take care of our son.""
"I do take care of him!""
"Then why does his teacher know more about his daily struggles than I do?""
Tasha's face tightened.
"Because you're never here!""
Daniel took a long breath.
"I've explained why I'm working away from home. You knew that before we had children.""
"And you think sending money is enough?""
"No. I think showing up matters. That's why I'm coming tomorrow.""
Tasha turned away.
Walter picked up the drawing again.
"Daniel, I think you need to see this.""
"What is it?""
"A picture Isaiah made.""
He held the drawing toward the phone camera.
Daniel stared at it.
His expression changed.
"That's my boy?""
"Yes.""
"Why is he standing behind everybody?""
Walter looked at Isaiah.
"Ask him.""
Daniel leaned toward the camera.
"Buddy, why did you draw yourself like that?""
Isaiah twisted the hem of his yellow shirt.
"Because Mommy said the girls had more things to carry.""
Daniel frowned.
"What does that mean?""
Isaiah hesitated.
"She said I shouldn't ask for things because Dad already spends enough money on me.""
Tasha immediately stood.
"I never said that!""
Isaiah jumped.
Walter moved beside him.
"Lower your voice.""
Tasha shook her head.
"This is unbelievable. Now I'm being accused of things I never said.""
Daniel looked at her.
"Then why is our son repeating them?""
She didn't answer.
Walter noticed Isaiah rubbing his stomach.
"Are you hungry, sweetheart?""
The boy nodded.
"Did you eat lunch?""
Isaiah shook his head.
Walter looked toward the kitchen.
"Let's get you something.""
He walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.
Inside were several containers, a carton of milk, fruit, and leftover food.
He made a sandwich, sliced an apple, and poured a glass of milk.
When he returned, Isaiah took the plate with both hands.
"Thank you, Grandpa.""
"You're welcome.""
Isaiah sat down and began eating.
Walter watched him carefully.
The boy took small bites, almost as if he were afraid someone might tell him to stop.
"Eat properly," Walter said gently.
"There's plenty.""
Isaiah nodded.
Daniel watched from the phone.
"Son, tomorrow I'm taking you shopping.""
Isaiah looked up.
"With you?""
"Yes.""
"Are you really coming?""
"I'll be there.""
"Can we get the football backpack?""
Daniel smiled sadly.
"We'll get whatever you want.""
Tasha suddenly laughed.
"You're both making this into some grand celebration. It's a backpack!""
Walter turned toward her.
"To you, perhaps.""
Daniel added, "To him, it's a sign that somebody thought about him.""
Tasha looked at the girls.
Jordan was sitting quietly.
Ava had removed the tags from her new backpack.
She slowly stood and walked toward Isaiah.
"Here," she said.
She held out a pink notebook.
Isaiah looked at it.
"What's that?""
"You can have it.""
Tasha stood.
"Ava, don't.""
Ava didn't move.
"I have two.""
Tasha's voice sharpened.
"I bought those for you.""
Ava looked at her mother.
"But Isaiah doesn't have any.""
Jordan stood too.
She picked up a packet of pencils.
"These are mine. I want him to have them.""
Tasha shook her head.
"Why are you both doing this?""
Jordan answered quietly.
"Because he's our brother.""
Walter looked away for a moment.
Daniel closed his eyes.
Isaiah accepted the notebook.
"Thank you.""
Ava smiled.
"You're welcome.""
For the first time that afternoon, the three children sat together on the sofa.
Tasha remained standing.
Her face had become unreadable.
Then her phone rang again.
The caller ID displayed Marcus.
She immediately declined the call.
A message arrived.
*Marcus: Friday is tomorrow. Don't test me.*
Another message followed.
*Marcus: I know where your husband works.*
Tasha's hand began to shake.
Walter noticed.
"Is that him?""
She turned off the screen.
"Nobody.""
Walter looked at the phone.
"Show me.""
"No.""
Daniel spoke.
"Tasha, if this person is threatening you, we need to know.""
She shook her head.
"You wouldn't understand.""
"Try me.""
Tasha finally sat down.
Then she whispered:
"Marcus knows something about me.""
Walter frowned.
"What?""
She looked toward the stairs.
Then toward the children.
And finally at the phone.
"He knows what happened to the money before Daniel sent the five hundred dollars.""
Daniel's expression changed.
"What are you talking about?""
Tasha swallowed.
"There's something I haven't told you.""
Walter's stomach tightened.
"What?""
Tasha stared at the floor.
"The debt wasn't three thousand dollars.""
Daniel went completely still.
"How much?""
She lifted her eyes.
"Eleven thousand.""
The phone slipped slightly in her hand.
Walter looked at her in disbelief.
"Eleven thousand dollars?""
Tasha nodded.
Daniel whispered, "When did this start?""
"Last year.""
"Why?""
She looked toward the children.
And then she gave an answer nobody expected.
"Because I was trying to keep something from falling apart.""
Daniel leaned closer to the camera.
"What were you trying to keep?""
Tasha opened her mouth.
But before she could answer, a loud knock came from the front door.
Three heavy knocks.
Then a man's voice.
"Tasha! I know you're home!""
The children froze.
Isaiah dropped his sandwich.
Tasha went white.
Walter slowly turned toward the entrance.
May you like
And the voice outside spoke again.
"Open the door. We need to discuss the money.""
