There were no yellow intake folders on her desk, no pink incident slips, and no administrative holds flagged anywhere in the district system.

Through the glass window of the main office, the secretary smiled and gave Lucy a little wave.

Lucy lifted her mittened hand and waved back before turning toward the main hallway.

“I’ll pick you up at three o’clock, Lucy,” I said.

“Don’t forget the blueberry money,” Lucy said.

She walked down the hall toward her first-grade classroom with her head held high and her snow boots squeaking softly on the polished tile.

I turned and walked back out into the bright winter sunshine.