The Attendance Folder

Ages 9-12

Bluma is sent to the office with the attendance folder, and the hall is long.

It is a green folder, with a rubber band round it. The teacher puts it in her hands and says to give it to the secretary, and nothing else. Bluma carries it flat against her chest, with both arms.

The hall has no one in it. Her shoes make a noise on the floor, and it comes back from the far wall. She walks on the left, by the lockers, and looks at the tiles in front of her.

Halfway along, the principal's door is open. There is a light on in the room. She can see the edge of a desk, and a chair, and a hand turning a page.

She does not turn her head. She keeps her eyes on the tile a few steps ahead. She walks past the door, and the light goes by on her right side, and the room is behind her.

At the end of the hall, there is a counter with a bell. The secretary is writing at her desk with her back turned. Bluma stands at the counter. She waits, with the folder in her arms.

The secretary puts down her pen, and turns, and holds out her hand. Bluma puts the folder in it.

The secretary looks at the band, and slides it on the corner. Bluma squares the edge of the folder against the desk, with one finger, and then she goes.