Chapter 6: The Evaluation

Max's yearly school evaluation is held in a small room off the library with a round table and four chairs that are too low.

Five adults and one boy sat around the table.

The teacher sat on my left, a gentle woman with a lanyard full of pins.

The school psychologist was across from her with a folder.

The principal was at the head of the table, checking her watch.

Landon had told me he'd be at a client lunch.

At ten past nine he walked in with a hand at the small of Camille's back and a bouquet of grocery-store roses.

"Sorry we're late," he said, and kissed my cheek loudly enough for the room to hear. "We wouldn't miss this."

"This is Camille Doyle," he told the psychologist. "She's family. She's been so supportive of us."

Camille bent to shake the principal's hand and sat down beside my husband with her knees together and her eyes full of concern.

I looked at Max.

He was under the table with the ferry book, headphones on, one shoe off.

The psychologist cleared her throat and opened her folder.

"Let's start with communication. Mrs. Reed, how many words would you say Max uses in a day?"

"He speaks in short phrases," I said. "Three or four words together, and more when it's about boats. Last week he told me the tide was wrong."

"He doesn't really speak," Camille said.

Everyone looked at her.

"I mean, from what I've seen." She gave the room a sad little smile. "Landon says he barely says a word at home."

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