Emotional Support

Kim smiled from across the table and lifted her glass of water. “So, cheers to you, Leanna, for six months of working with me.”

Leanna clinked her glass (also water) with Kim’s and returned the smile. It had been a good six months working as Kim’s bookkeeper. Kim had a small boutique, and it was a very pleasant place to be.

They made small talk over their lunch and at one point, Kim placed down her fork and said, “Leanna, you still haven’t told me why you left your teaching job. And I’m still curious.” She waited, one eyebrow raised.

Leanna leaned back in her chair, grateful that they were at Kim’s house, and not at a restaurant where she might be overheard. Maybe it was time to share her story, bizarre as it was. She wiped her mouth carefully and set down her napkin. “Things had gotten really weird. I just couldn’t take it anymore.”

“Weird how?” asked Kim.

Leanna drew a breath. Then she leaned forward and folded her hands on the table. Kim leaned forward in response. One elbow went on the table, her chin in her hand, her fingers resting on her cheek. It was her ‘ready to listen’ pose.

Leanna said, “I had a student who claimed to need an emotional support animal.”

Kim blinked in surprise. “Oh. Well, that’s not so bad. But I can see how that would be a liability for the school. They certainly can’t just allow everyone to bring animals in. Allergies and all that.”

“Right, well, except she had one. Sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“Her emotional support animal was a student who claimed to be species fluid.”

Kim snorted. “You have got to be kidding me! That’s crazy!”

Leanna shook her head. “I wish I were, but no. This ‘emotional support’ animal kid was allowed to sit on the floor by the other student’s desk.”

“But was she (or he) in the class already? Didn’t that kid have to do the work too?”

“SHE was excused from work from my class and one other class because it was in those classes that she identified as a dog.” She sighed, frustrated with the memory. “I knew if I stayed, I would have to endure another year of the nonsense because I had grades six to eight. These kids were in seventh grade.”

“I imagine that was quite the distraction in class.” said Kim sympathetically. “And I can’t believe that it was even allowed.”

“So many strange things are allowed. As far as distraction to other kids, for the first few weeks, yes it was. But they got over it pretty quickly. For me it was just…disturbing. It was disturbing to try to stand at the front and teach while watching one girl pet another girl’s head and scratch her ears. The one who pretended to be a dog would even put on a collar during my class. So, I finished out the year but resolved not to continue. And then this opportunity came along, thank you so much by the way, and I’m so happy for the change!”

“Well, I’m happy too. I get to focus on the boutique, and I know I can rely on you to keep the finances straight.” She paused for a moment and then let out a laugh. “Oh no!” she exclaimed before putting her hand over her mouth in an effort to hide her smile.

“What?” asked Leanna cautiously.

“My cousin is staying for a week next month. And she plans to bring her… her…”

“Don’t say it,” said Leanna with a groan.

“Her emotional support dog! He’s adorable. You’ll love him.”

Leanna shook her head reproachfully. “Just tell me this. Does the adorable dog have four legs?”

Kim laughed and patted Leanna’s hand. “Indeed, he does.”