The wanderer
Yesterday morning, I was notified that Samuel was missing from school. You can probably imagine my panicked state and the drama that unfolded as phone calls were made to Samuel’s caseworker, my foster agency, etc.
We were about the call the police when he came wandering into the counselor’s office. What was first thought to be a runaway situation turned out to be one of hiding in the bathroom—for a very long time.
Samuel knew he was in trouble, but he maintained that what he had done wasn’t THAT bad. He didn’t, after all, blow up, throw things, cause any damage. The thing is, this wasn’t the first time Samuel wandered off at school, so all those times added together and multiplied by his extended absence is THAT bad.
So Samuel faced consequences for his actions both at home and at school. I wish I could say that I believe that he learned his lesson. The problem is that there wasn’t really need for a lesson. Samuel knew what he did was wrong before he did it.
Right now, Samuel is on his very best behavior. He’s being so perfect that it is creepy. I can’t wait until he decides that he has made up for the indiscretion and is ready to attempt the next stunt. Maybe that is me having a bad attitude and expecting the worst, but that’s my reality right now. I’m sure there are more consequences to come. My only hope is for a longer time in-between. That is the progress I pray for.