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Resigned, I start the car and pull out of the driveway My daughter’s staring out the , headphones on This is most likely to make sure I don’t try to talk to her on the fifteen-minute drive to school I reether were our favorite thing to do We would drive down to check onroad trip games Her favorite was the one where ould count the nuhway There are a surprising nu around the Windy City

I glance at hter from the corner of my eye and shake my head I have so many fond memories I remember one timean Alaskan plate and Sammie was so excited that she talked about it for weeks She even told the cashier at the grocery store She was telling the kind lady behind the counter that she saw a car yesterday that drove here froh to have reindeer like Santa Claus does I can hear the lady hooting and hollering to this day She was so touched by the story that she gave Saot lost so her back I know she’s stuck in that sullen teenager somewhere, but where? What do I do?

I reach over and pull one of the headphones out of her ear as we pull into the parking lot Her head snaps so fast that I actually have to stopout of surprise That’s all I need, to let Sam think I’m scared of her now too

“Can’t you at least let me finish the car ride in peace, Dad?” she snarls Clearly, she isn’t enthusiastic about this enda either

“We’re here,” I say roughly “Get out”

As alk to Principal Hart Sa

“You are to be attentive, pleasant, and respectful You are going to listen to everything Mr Hart any attitude Do you understand? You are to show reirl! I don’t want any lip from you at all”

Sam pretends not to hear, but I know she does I continue

“I have a lot of work to get to, so this o as quickly and s to have a little et home today Clear?”

“Yes, Dad Clear,” Sam answers me I’m surprised that she even replied, to be honest

We reach the adrimly, I ask the secretary for Principal Hartman The elderly lady shows us to the back, and I knock twice on the door to his office