After Anna(46)

When they were finished, Brittany stood up. ‘If you have time, I’d like to show you around.’

‘Sure, thank you,’ Anna answered, and Maggie followed them out of the office and into the large hallway area packed with students plugged into iPhones and carrying backpacks, purses, and gear bags.

Brittany nodded. ‘This is a really busy time, changing from A lunch to B lunch. The bus schedule determines our hours, and the high school gets the earliest pick-up.’

‘My old school was much smaller.’ Anna scanned the scene, nervously.

‘Are you planning on taking the bus or driving, Anna?’

‘Driving.’

‘Then you’ll need a parking permit. You can apply for one in the office.’ Brittany turned to Maggie. ‘Don’t let our size worry you, as a parent. Even though we have a lot of students, we have an excellent student–teacher ratio.’

‘That’s great.’ Maggie smiled, and Brittany led the way past a collage with scenes of the school, which read Enter To Learn, Go Forth To Serve next to a placard of a bulldog, the school mascot. Students checked Anna out, but she looked down. Brittany pointed out the gorgeous Bryant Gymnasium donated by the basketball-playing alum Kobe Bryant, then the well-appointed library, display cases of trophies, and a banner that read Governor’s Award for Excellence in Academics. The tour ended at the cafeteria, which was massive, with students laughing, talking, and eating at long gray tables, between two all-glass walls.

‘Oh, there’s those girls from Phrases.’ Anna pointed at one of the tables, and Maggie saw a table of three girls, all wearing funky clothes like the ones at Circa. She recognized the girl in the middle from the Facebook picture.

Brittany glanced at her phone. ‘There’s still ten minutes. Let’s take a peek inside, shall we?’

Maggie nodded. ‘Great idea. Anna, you can say hi to those girls, introduce yourself.’

‘No, thanks,’ Anna answered quickly. ‘I don’t want to go in.’

Maggie looked over. ‘You sure, honey? I’d like to.’

‘I don’t need to.’ Anna met her eye meaningfully, then turned to Brittany. ‘Can I use the bathroom?’

‘Of course.’ Brittany pointed. ‘The ladies’ room is on the left.’

‘Be right back.’ Anna edged backwards, and Maggie watched her go, guessing that Anna didn’t want to be introduced with her mother.

Brittany leaned over. ‘She’s a very smart, sweet girl, but she seems quiet.’

‘I know.’ Maggie felt defensive on Anna’s behalf. ‘I think she’s overwhelmed. The school she came from was more sheltered. She’ll get used to it in time.’

‘Right, I saw Congreve online. It’s much smaller. But don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her.’

‘Thanks. She’s worried about making friends.’

‘She needs to join something. That’s the best way.’

‘We talked about that. She likes poetry.’ Maggie pointed to the Phrases table. ‘They’re the Poetry Club, right?’

‘That’s one name for them.’ Brittany sniffed.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Strictly between us?’ Brittany leaned closer. ‘And this is just my opinion, okay? That table is the Island of Misfit Toys.’

‘Really?’ Maggie thought back to the pamphlets in the guidance office. Drugs. Alcohol. Suicide. She fell into a troubled silence as Anna returned with a smile.

Brittany turned to her. ‘Anna, it was wonderful meeting you.’

‘You too, thanks so much.’ Anna shook her hand. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

Maggie extended a hand to Brittany. ‘Thank you so much. We really appreciate your time.’

‘You ladies are welcome to stay for lunch. It’s Pizza Day.’

‘That’s okay, thanks,’ Anna answered quickly. ‘We have errands to run.’

We do? Maggie thought, but didn’t say.





Chapter Twenty-nine


Noah, After

TRIAL, DAY 5

Linda signaled to her paralegal. ‘Dr Alderman, please direct your attention to Commonwealth Exhibit 52, which is the transcript of the PFA hearing.’

Thomas jumped up. ‘Your Honor, I object to the admission of the transcript as hearsay, violative of my client’s constitutional right to confrontation, and unduly prejudicial.’

Linda turned back to the judge. ‘Your Honor, the transcript is admissible as a hearsay exception under rule 804(b)(1) in that it is former testimony that was given as a witness at trial who is now unavailable, due to death. The defendant had a full and fair opportunity to examine the witness at the hearing, under Commonwealth v. Bazemore.’

Judge Gardner nodded. ‘The objection’s overruled.’

‘Thank you, Your Honor.’ Linda signaled again to her paralegal, and the screen came to life with a portion of the transcript:

Mr Carter: Ms Desroches, what happened when you went out for a driving lesson with your stepfather on Thursday night, April 27?

Ms Desroches: He took me driving in the parking lot behind the shopping center, and it was after dark. It was just the two of us in the car, and on the way over, he said some inappropriate things to me. They were compliments but over the line.