***

I suppose, because it is summer vacation, I actually get him–either he calls me back, or I anxiously call in again—The Man, Director Eugene Pratt—on the phone.

Not as if I confess to being on the brink of suicide last night, but I suppose I’m more than just a bit punchy from reading all night without sleep.

I’m clearly in panic mode, remember and mouth all my new legal keywords—evaluation, meeting, appropriate, and placement.

Director Pratt interrupts—in his deep voice, meant to be reassuring—to let me know everyone in special education, except himself and a skeleton staff, is on summer vacation.

He offers an evaluation by one of his multi-disciplinary diagnostic preschool teams in September or October, after things settle down in the fall.

Assuring me–the beginning of school is always a hard time for meetings, which are usually held the previous spring.

I know, I say:  Summer school is a part of special education services.

I press for an evaluation right away to avoid delay.

And for an educational planning meeting in early August.

So my son can begin when school begins in late August!

That’s what we agree on.

Director Pratt can do this with one-day staff contracts.

Great, thank you! 

I feel I have made a friend.  Director Pratt. The Man!

And, at the top.  Why not?

Well, no!

I’ve made an impression as a memorable annoyance.