Claire’s Different Table

Claire usually sits beside Beth at lunch. Today, Beth is away. A different group is using the place where they often sit. Claire holds her lunch box close and looks for another familiar face in the hall.

The chairs scrape while children settle down. Claire stands near the doorway. She is hungry, but the room and the changed plan feel like too many things at once. Mrs Field comes beside her and asks whether she would like help finding a place.

Claire tells her about Beth. Mrs Field offers the end of a quieter table or a seat near Daniel, who is in Claire’s class. They look at both places before Claire chooses. She asks if Mrs Field can stay for the first few minutes.

They sit at the quieter table. Daniel asks if he may join them, and Claire says yes. He leaves space for her lunch box. Mrs Field stays while Claire opens it and finds the sandwich she knows.

Daniel tells her about a funny bird in the playground. Claire listens while she eats. She still misses Beth, but she is no longer standing with nowhere to begin. Mrs Field checks before moving to help someone at the next table.

After lunch, Claire feels more settled. Tomorrow may be different again. She knows she can look at possible places, ask for company and tell an adult when finding a seat feels difficult. One different lunch has given her a few choices to remember.