Page 14 of Protecting Clove (Loved by the SEAL #5)

N eo’s test results came in, and she was asked to attend a meeting at the district office.

She went, worried they were going to tell her she was doing something wrong.

That was the worst part of being a parent, always worried someone would find out you didn’t know what the hell you were doing and call you out on it.

When they arrived at the location for the meeting, they were led into a conference room and asked to sit at the table. Neo had a book to read, but Clove just worried about what would happen next.

The door opened, and she jumped then laughed at her reaction. Three people walked in which was more than she expected. One of them walked over to Neo and knelt next to her chair.

“Hello, Neo, I’m Doctor Nyema. I heard you did well on the test.”

Neo shook the woman’s hand and then shrugged. “It was an easy test. I don’t know why my mom was worried about it. I made sure to get one wrong on purpose so you didn’t think I cheated. I read that in a book about test taking.”

Dr. Nyema’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? You purposely got one wrong?”

“Yes. Adults think kids lie, so I made sure to make it look like I had one issue. It was a question that wasn’t that hard.”

The three people from the district were looking at their papers, shaking their heads. Clove wondered what they were thinking. How many questions had Neo missed? Surely, it couldn’t be that many.

“So, how did Neo do on the test?” Clove asked.

“Well, um, she missed one. But based on her statement this morning, I guess she didn’t miss any.”

Clove wasn’t surprised, not really. Her daughter was smart, and now she had confirmation. But she didn’t want Neo treated like an adult. She might be able to understand complex thoughts, but she didn’t have the maturity.

“Ms. Cook, do you have any questions?”

“Does the district have a program for a child like Neo? She is a child, and I want her to be able to have childhood experiences.”

Dr. Nyema folded her hands on the table in front of her.

“We have programs. We’ll send you home with the information for two different schools.

The children have access to higher-level academics while also having recess and playtime.

I think it will be a good fit. You’ll see that a few of our students stay for twelve years while other students work ahead and graduate early.

We have a few alumni who have graduated from university before the age of eighteen.

So there are a lot of different paths for them to take. ”

Clove nodded, wondering if this really was best for Neo. Sending her to public school would help with costs, but the schools would add almost an hour’s drive time for her. She was willing to spend an hour in her car for Neo.

Her daughter sat forward, looking very small at the conference table.

“I don’t think going to regular kindergarten would be the best option for me.

Already, other kids don’t know what I’m talking about, and I’m not willing to slow down learning for other people’s comfort. I want to go to this school.”

Clove reached over and squeezed Neo’s shoulder. “I hear you. I think we have to try it out. I want you to enjoy school.”

“Learning is enjoyable.”

Her daughter was so different from what she’d been as a child.

She was glad there were options for Neo.

Clove needed to work, and there was no way she could keep up with Neo’s educational needs.

For now, it looked like they could go with public education and wouldn’t have to pay for private school.

She just hoped nothing went wrong and Neo could get a great education.

Now, she just needed to figure out if there was anything between herself and Bud.

Maybe it was asking for too much for all areas of her life to be settled.