FIND THE FACE 


By Tessa Harvey


    Elfriede looked at the young woman perched on the edge of her soft floral couch. She offered her a drink and got her a glass of water.
    Sandi was very pretty, her long blonde hair tied loosely back with a pink ribbon. She was wearing a pink-patterned maternity dress. The principal noted the twisting fingers and felt deep compassion for this parent.
    Every school has vocal parents, some louder than others, with many grievances, some justified, others exaggerated. 
    Elfriede concentrated on this parent's words. "George won't really play any more. His puppy senses he is sad and snuggles up close. whining. George wakes up with nightmares often. Sometimes he wets the bed. He won't say what is bothering him, just that his teacher says the real God is called Grand Master. The school God is useless."
    The principal was shocked. Sandi paused, leaning forward as though in pain, tears in her eyes. "George runs from the Kinder room to my car. He runs so fast that once he got knocked over by mistake. He just got up and kept going as though he was drowning, and my car was an island to save him."
    "Oh God," she suddenly said, "I feel so sick."
The young woman bent over and quickly Elfriede handed her the waste bin. Then she called the office. "This lady is in labor. Get an ambulance. One of you ask the staff to keep the students in class, unless parents are already here. Get someone to collect George Amasanti and take him to Mrs. Reiter's room. Contact Sandi's husband and parents. Please let them know."
    "Ronnie is coming home today from the fishing fleet," gasped the young woman. A noxious odour filled the warm, cosy room. "I'm so sorry. I thought I was ok. The baby is early."

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