“I’m glad you could come,” Mrs. Rosner said as soon as Rafe had returned to his seat. “We were expecting your husband, too. Couldn’t he make it?”
To Rafe’s surprise Mrs. Kaufmann suddenly turned pale and then her face reddened and she dropped her eyes. Confused, Rafe looked at his fellow teacher but the look she gave him told him she was just as confused.
“Is something wrong, Frau Kaufmann?” Mrs. Rosner leaned forward. “You’re not feeling well?”
“No, I’m…I’m fine.” She shook her head and when she glanced up her look was apologetic. “I’m sorry. I’m just not…used to it yet.”
“Used to it? Used to what exactly?” Rafe asked the question as gently as he could. The last thing he wanted to do was upset the woman further.
“Used to the idea that…David is gone.” The last part was said in a wide-eyed whisper, almost like she was still in shock. “He died…three months ago and…and I still can’t believe it.”
“Mein Gott! I am so sorry.” Mrs. Rosner made as if to get up and go to her but Frau Kaufmann held up her hand.
“It’s okay. I’ll be all right. I just need a moment.” She swallowed then drew in a shaky breath. When she exhaled she gave them a tremulous smile. “I’m fine now. We can talk. Please. Go ahead.”
Doubtful that she was ready as she said she was, Rafe remained silent and sat back in his chair, waiting for Mrs. Rosner to take the lead. As the senior teacher she would have to be the one to start the discussion.
The lady cleared her throat, seeming somewhat uncertain. Like Rafe, she must have been thrown off by the visitor’s sad news. “Thank you for coming, Frau Kaufmann,” she said, her voice low, almost apologetic. “Under the circumstances I don’t want to keep you long. We invited you here to discuss your son. Albert is a bright little boy-”
Mrs. Kaufmann’s eyes widened. “Is everything all right? Albert didn’t get into trouble, did he?”
Mrs. Rosner’s brows shot up, her surprise obvious. “Why, of course not. Albert is a sweet little boy. So quiet. A real angel.”
“Oh.” The young woman sank back into her chair with a relieved sigh.
Curious, Rafe tilted his head as he watched her, the way the emotions played across her expressive face. “Why would you ask if he’d gotten into trouble?”
She shook her head, looking confused. “I don’t know. I just…I thought he was acting out at school like he was at home.”
Rafe frowned. “Acting out?”
“Yes, throwing tantrums, ripping up his books, deliberately breaking his toys. Ever since David died…” her voice trailed off, her face taking on a forlorn look. “Albert can’t understand why his papa went away and won’t come back.”
Slowly, Rafe nodded. He hadn’t been wrong. The sadness he’d seen in the child had been due to the loss of his father. At Albert’s age, no matter how his mother must have tried to explain, it would be hard for him to understand why he would never see his father again. That explained his displays of anger when he was at home where he felt safe enough to give vent to his true feelings. At school, though, his pain was manifested in his silence, his withdrawal from play and his permanent look of sadness.
“That certainly explains things,” Mrs. Rosner said. “We noticed how tense he was and how very sad. We just didn’t realize he’d recently gone through such loss. Thank you for sharing that with us, Frau Kaufman. I know it was difficult.”
The woman nodded in acknowledgment but she didn’t say anything. Mrs. Rosner did not press. Then as if prompted by a motherly instinct the matron reached over and patted the younger woman’s clasped hands.
Mrs. Kaufman did not say a word but she nodded, her lips trembling like she was trying hard not to cry. After several seconds she bit down on her lip, drew in a shuddering breath then glanced up and gave Mrs. Rosner a look that told of the gratitude she felt for the other woman’s show of sympathy.
Now understanding the situation they did not keep Mrs. Kaufman long. Within twenty minutes they were wrapping up after having worked out a specific plan of support for the little boy. The teachers would make special effort to draw him out and get him involved in class activities. However, if he resisted, they would take it slow and give him space, understanding that it could take time.
An important component of the plan, though, was to have him spend some time with someone skilled in helping children work through the grief of the loss of a parent. Such therapy was critical at this stage. If Albert had a predisposition toward anxiety early intervention should prove effective in preventing the later development of such issues as depression and mood or sleep disorders.
Until this professional help was scheduled Rafe had a plan of his own. He had been looking out for the little tyke in the short space of time he’d known him but now he would pay even closer attention. It wasn’t that he had to. He wanted to. The sad little face pulled at his heart strings and he would do anything in his power, limited though it might be, to soften the blow and make Albert smile again.
So with that goal in mind Rafe spent the rest of the week caring for his group but keeping his eye out for any opportunity to get Albert more involved. By Friday he’d found the perfect strategy.
Albert was most engaged when he’d been assigned an important task, something that gave him a sense of control. Now, in his new job as coloring monitor he made sure that the little blue bin was always filled with crayons and the coloring books were distributed right on time. After Friday’s coloring session he quickly gathered up the books and materials and put them away. It seemed that the new responsibility kept him busy and, more importantly, it took his mind off his personal problem.
After he’d shoved the supplies into the cupboard Albert pushed the door shut then turned to look at Rafe, his gaze hesitant.
Immediately, Rafe dropped to his knees where he could be closer to the little boy’s level. He gave him a reassuring smile and held up his hand, palm outward. “Great job, my man,” he said with a satisfied nod. “Gimme five.”
As if his teacher had just offered him the greatest treat in the world Albert’s face broke into a wide smile. Not waiting another second he ran over and gave Rafe a hearty slap right in the middle of his palm.
And what Rafe saw made his heart melt. It took some effort not to pull the child into a big bear hug. For the first time since he’d met Albert the child was giving him a smile that actually lit up his eyes.