I looked at my son again. His legs were still shaking.
Then Leo’s class teacher, Mr. Dunn, approached us, his expression tight.
“Sarah, your son broke protocol by taking a different route. It was dangerous! We had clear instructions. Students who couldn’t complete the trail were to remain at the campsite!”
“Hold on, I’ve got you.”
“I understand, and I’m so sorry,” I replied quickly, even though my hands were starting to tremble.
But under that, something else rose. Pride.
However, Dunn wasn’t the only teacher who was furious. I could see from the way the rest of them looked at us that they weren’t impressed with Leo.
Since no one got hurt, I thought that was the end of it.
Once again, I was wrong.
“I understand, and I’m so sorry.”
The next morning, my phone rang while I was off work. I almost didn’t answer it.
Then I saw my son’s school’s number, and something in my chest tightened.
“Hello?”
“Sarah?” It was Principal Harris. “You need to come to the school. Now.”
Her voice sounded shaken.
My stomach dropped.
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