Tonight when I arrived home, there was a message from another parent. Her son had apparently hit my daughter on the bus. She wanted to make sure my daughter was OK.

That had to be a tough phone call to make and, as a parent, I really appreciated it. I called the Mom back and we talked a bit. We both are frustrated by the bus situation. This is the second time one of my children have been hit on the bus ever, and both times it has happened this year. Not a good sign.

Maxine, my 9-year-old daughter was the one involved, although all of my kids knew about it. She was sitting with her best friend and a boy (all in the same seat). In front of her was three boys. Maxine and Emily were giggling and talking and tapping on the seat in front of them. One of the boys asked them to stop in a threatening manner. It got physical between the boy in Maxine’s seat and one of the other boys (scratched arms).

Then a third boy (also sitting in front of her) smacked Maxine in the cheek. Another boy  (him mom called) followed suit. They called her names, and I think that hurt her more than anything. As she recalled this part of the story, she said, "I was under a lot of pressure and I…." She hesitated. "They hurt my feelings."

At that point, listening to her, my feelings were a bit towards the ill side. I’m thinking something happened that I really don’t want to know. I’m pretty convinced I’m I going to be shocked by what my child can do. It was obvious Maxine was ashamed and upset by what she did next. I interrupted her sidesteps and explanations. "Just tell me what you did next," I said.

She repeated what he called her back to him. I’m not even sure she knows what the word means, but she knows it inflicted a lot of pain on her and him. As she told me, tears came to her eyes.

When it happened on the bus, Maxine was saved. Her big sister, Autumn, came to her rescue. Autumn didn’t get in the middle of it, but she offered Maxine a needed lifeline. Maxine said Autumn had her come sit with her and comforted her while Maxine cried.

It reminded me of when I was in kindergarten and my best friend, Amy something or other, punched me in the nose while we were on the bus. We were on our way to school. I remember getting a bloody nose. My older sister, Kari, was on the bus too, and she rescued me, letting me sit with her.

Kari is 13 years older than me. I remember I didn’t go to my school that day. Instead, I went to school with Kari — high school. I remember being at the front of the classroom and having several of the students wanting to give me something and I was too scared to leave Kari’s side. I liked being with my big sister. As I think back on it, there are so many things I don’t know — like why was Kari at the front of the class and not with the other students? I’ll have to remember to ask her about it.

We have a new bus driver this year who is not as strict as the previous driver (understatement of the year). My kids are also on the bus a lot longer and the bus is crowded. It all adds up to problems. I’ve thought about driving my kids to school, but they also like to ride the bus. It gives them time with their friends. Not to mention, picking them up after school can be a logistic nightmare.

—

In other news, Autumn has something going on with her arm. At first, we thought it was a splinter and we couldn’t figure out how she got a splinter there. It’s on the inside of her arm, about an inch below her elbow.

Steve ended up taking her to the doctor yesterday. It’s an abscess, and the doctors aren’t sure how she got it. One theory was a spider bite. They drained it and bandaged it. She’s on antibiotics and pain pills. They also marked up her arm to show us if the redness goes past these lines, get thee to an emergency room, pronto! (How’s that for mixing up centuries?)

Other news continues as I mention that Autumn’s basketball team won its regional game Monday and plays again Wednesday.

And even more news…. My nephew Shawn and his wife Susan are the proud new parents of a baby girl, born last Sunday. Her name starts with M and I think it’s Madeline Shane, but I make no guarantees. I do know she was 19 inches long and 6.5(ish) pounds. Blame the sketchy details on me driving as my mom filled me in, and let’s just say my mom isn’t always the most reliable source. She tries. It doesn’t help that I call late and she probably feels rushed to tell me everything. My sister, Dee, also called me, but I haven’ t actually talked to her yet. Congratulations to Shawn and Susan! I understand I’ll be able to see photos online soon. I’ll be looking. Mom gave me a web site name, so I’ll have to check it out.