Something out of place

Somehow you manage to sort out the dispute between the two mothers, and the Hispanic maintenance man gives you a look of gratitude as he picks up some bags and carries them towards the Mellon building. The girls give their mothers perfunctory hugs and follow the man, chatting to each other as they follow him.

Glancing around for the next problem you see something that seems very much out of place. An older and somewhat battered pickup truck pulls into the parking lot and backs into a space well away from the turmoil around you. You can see a large metal toolbox in the bed of the truck, and some printing on the driver's door. After a moment a stocky man in work clothes gets out of the driver's door, while a slender black haired girl gets out the other side. They stand together, looking over the chaos, their faces stoic but clearly puzzled.

Spotting you the man approaches you with a slightly rolling gait, as though one leg is paining him. The girl trails behind him, looking warily at the other girls who chatter to each other and ignore her.

"Hola Senor," the man says. "You look like the man in charge here."

"As much as anyone is in charge of this chaos," you reply, looking around in frustration. "What can I do for you sir?"

"My name is Miguel Contreras. This is my daughter Alejandra. She won a scholarship to come here." He beams with paternal pride as he pulls his daughter forward.

"Kyle Hawkfeather. I'm the Dean of Students," you reply shaking his hand which feels as hard and rough as a piece of lumber. "Welcome to Pink Rose Academy Miss Contreras."

"Gracias Dean Hawkfeather," she answers with a hint of a curtsy, looking at you with dark intelligent eyes.

"Perhaps you can tell us where to go," Miguel says. "Alejandra's suitcases are in the truck. I didn't want to get them until we were sure. We have a letter," he says, producing a folded paper and opening it. "She is to stay in the Burnside building. Room 206. Where is that Senor?"

You point to the building some distance past the Mellon building. "You can take the path around the Mellon building and it will get you there. Do you need help with the bags?"

He gives a short laugh, his white teeth flashing. "No Senor. I still got a few muscles left in this old body, and Alejandra, she's a strong girl just like her mother. Gracias Senor."

You smile as you watch the two of them walk back to the truck and unload some cases, wishing that the rest of the Pink Rose parents were as self sufficient as Miguel.