"Christopher, that is enough. Can I talk with you for a second?" Mrs. Morris asked. Mrs. Morris was a substitute teacher teaching Christopher's class. She had been at the school only a short time.

"OK."

Mrs. Morris crooked her finger indicating that Christopher should come up to the front of the class. Mrs. Morris led him to the door and Christopher stepped outside. Mrs. Morris stood in the door frame so she could see the class while she talked to Christopher.

"After class come to my room."

"Detention?"

"No, I'll drive you home. I want to speak with your mother privately."

"Drive me home?"

"Yes. I want to speak with your mother. Now go back to your seat and be quiet."

Christopher didn't know what to think. Many teachers had spoken to his mother, but not one of them drove him home. They usually called. He returned to his seat and kept his mouth shut for the rest of the period.

Finally, the bell rang, and the class got out of their seat and exited the room.

"What did she say?"

"She said she is going to drive me home and talk to my mom."

"What? She can't do that. You must have heard her wrong."

"No, that is what she said."

"No way."

"It's true."

"Are you going to do it?"

"There is zero chance of that. She wants to talk to my mom, then she'll have to call her. Or she can stop by but I'm not taking her."

"I don't think it's legal for a teacher to take you home anyway."

"Whatever, I'm not going to do it."

Christopher's mind was made up. He didn't think about it. But when the final bell rang, he told his friends, "I'll talk to Mrs. Morris. I'll tell her my mom isn't home."

"OK, you want us to come with you?"

"No, it might be better to do this alone."

"Fine."

Christopher walked to Mrs. Morris's classroom. He was just going to tell her quickly, that my mom is not home. That he didn't want a ride.

"Mrs. Morris," Christopher said as he entered the classroom. "Umm, my mom isn't home yet. She won't be home until after five. You can talk to her then."

After a second pause, Christopher added, "I'm sorry about what happened in class today."

"I don't care if she isn't home. We need time to prepare until she arrives regardless."

"Prepare?"

"Yes."

"Prepare how?"

"You'll see."

"I don't want to..."

"Follow me to my car," Mrs. Morris cut him off.

Christopher didn't really want to go, but he trailed behind Mrs. Morris anyway. They walked through the school building. Mrs. Morris went into the office to get her mail and other administrative stuff. Christopher didn't say anything. He just kept behind her as she said goodbye to her friends and performed whatever chores she needed to be done.

Mrs. Morris clicked the key fob and her car chirped back. Despite being a substitute, Mrs. Morris had one of the best parking spaces at the school. She got into the driver's seat and Christopher got into the passenger seat of Mrs. Morris's Honda.