"Not at all. You're not interrupting," Renee Jennings said, her tone growing even gentler. She sensed that Bear was a very introverted girl.
"That's good." Bear quietly sighed in relief.
Renee Jennings raised a hand to smooth her hair and asked, "Bear, what can I help you with?"
Bear pursed her lips, seeming to find it difficult to speak. "It's about my mom and dad."
Lying on her bed playing on her phone, Michelle Fuller perked up her ears to listen in.
Renee Jennings gave a slight nod. "It's okay," she said patiently. "You can take your time."
"My dad was suddenly transferred to another city by his company back in March," Bear said, her gaze trembling slightly. "He only came home once, during the May Day holiday."
Renee Jennings asked, "And after that?"
Bear frowned. "I usually live at school. After the college entrance exams in June, I noticed what looked like signs of a man living in our house. But my dad clearly hadn't been home for two months."
