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"I could have just as easily administered the tests at home," Mommy muttered.

"Oh. I know, but this way we alleviate any possible conflicts of interest and avoid anything unpleasant," he said.

He was being so nice. I had to wonder why Mommy had come with such an angry face. Despite his smile and his soft, understanding voice, she still didn't relax or smile.

"If that's all, then, well go right to Room 32," she told him.

"Well. I don't want to seem like a salesman or anything," Dr. Camfield said, not making any attempt to rise. "but while the children are being tested. I could arrange for you to meet some of our teaching personnel so you could see for yourself what sort of instruction they would be getting here, and you might even consider applying for a position yourself. Were always looking for excellent teachers. and--"

"You have all the required information in that folder," Mommy snapped at him. "I don't need any tours of any schools. and I have no interest in returning to public school teaching," she added. making "public" sound dirty.

His smile hardened, but he held onto it like someone who knew it was slipping away quickly. He rose. and Mommy stood up and urged us to stand as well.

"Thank you for coming by, then," Dr. Camfield said.

Mommy marched us out. and Dr. Camfield followed to the doorway.

"Mrs. Donald, if you would please escort Mrs. Atwell and her children to Room 32."

"Yes, of course," she said rising, "Right this way. Mrs. Atwell,"

"Good luck. children," Dr. Camfield called to us. Mommy spun on him.

"Luck? It's a matter of good instruction, dedication to the priorities, not luck," she said. "In public school these days, its all luck."

He finally lost his smile.

Mr. Kotes quickly came down the hallway when we left the office.

"Well?" he asked Mommy.

"It s fine," she said. "Thank you. Taylor." She reached for his hand, and he smiled.

"I'll wait for you outside and take you for coffee while they take the test," he offered.

"Thank you," she said, and we continued down the hallway behind Mrs. Donald.

My mind was reeling,

"Why did you thank Mr. Kotes, Mommy?" I asked her. She leaned down as we walked,

"He's on the board of education for the school. He's Dr. Camfield's boss," she said and stood up, smiling triumphantly.

My heart thumped.

It was the first time Mommy was so happy about another man beside Daddy doing something for us.

More important, it was the first time she needed another man, the first time the spirits weren't enough.

All I could think was Daddy wouldn't be very happy about it, and maybe, maybe he wouldn't come around again.

5

A Magnifying Glass

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The tests weren't difficult for us. Even Noble,