The Principal's Office

[tailor_made]

The door to the principal’s office is open at all hours, although you will only find Hester at the receptionist’s desk from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is primarily where you can have private conversations with her. Though there’s an actual office in the back, it is always closed and locked.

Comments

[tailor_made]

He was a single dad and I was his only foster kid so he was always extra sweet to me. [She's not falling asleep but this is, by far, the most relaxed she's felt and sounded in weeks.] ...I was really sad when he got sick and I had to go to a new placement. I think he was too.

[violentenvies]

That's unfortunate. I'm sorry for that. [he moves to wet down that cloth again, and keep just gently wiping her brow and cheeks and jaw with the cool cloth, attempting to cool her down] I'm sure he would've very much liked for you to stay with him.

[tailor_made]

He had a heart attack when I was fourteen. [She leans her head in the direction of his hand. She hasn't talked about him in...not really since she had to leave, actually. It hurt to think about, how she'd almost lost him to his health and then did have to lose him to the system.] He was okay in the end. He said he wanted to adopt me but...it never worked out.

[violentenvies]

Is...adoption out of that system difficult, then? [he shifts his hand as she leans into it, so he can press more of the towel against her face]

[tailor_made]

Mmmmm, mmhm. There's a lot of paperwork and the system doesn't really... [She frowns a little, struggling to find the word she wants to use again.] Lean toward single widowers and adoption. And after he got sick...they thought it'd be better if I went to live somewhere else.

[violentenvies]

...I'm so sorry, Hester. [Salieri's brow furrows] I...know what's it's like. To lose a father figure, especially one that isn't tied to you by blood, through any kind of circumstances. It's difficult.