She stopped talking.
Then she started over.
“What I said was wrong,” she said quietly. “And cruel.”
My principal folded her hands across the desk.
“Why did you say it?”
Miranda swallowed.
“I saw a teacher from school in a swimsuit, and I thought it was inappropriate. Then people looked at me, and I kept going because I didn’t want to feel foolish.”
Paul spoke next.
“I’m here because our son was upset all weekend,” he said. “He said he did not want Ms. Harper to think our family was mean.”
That appeared to affect Miranda more than anything else.
I remembered Daisy crying beside the pool.
I remembered her saying that everything was her fault.
Then I said the only response that seemed worthwhile.
“The person who most needs your apology is not me,” I said. “It is Daisy.”
Later that week, Paul emailed me. He asked whether it would be acceptable for him to bring Evan over and leave something for Daisy. I agreed.
