Gradually, I pack up my purse and coat after having a drizzle of rain this morning, then wait until most of the halls have cleared so I can take my time getting to my car.A few lingering students say good night as I pass by, and I realize that more students know who I am than I’d thought.
It’s nice belonging to a community, even if I don’t like some of the people I work with.Realizing I’ve made a connection with those I don’t often interact with is fulfilling.Teaching wasn’t something I had planned on doing as a kid; I wanted to be a lawyer, but I knew that wouldn’t be possible around the time Kylie was born.
High school was spent ensuring my grades would earn me a scholarship so I wouldn’t be in debt once I finished and could still help Mom with the kids and be present in their lives.Letting go of my dreams wasn’t too hard; I grieved for a while, then had to move on.Eventually, I fell in love with the idea of teaching, and after being offered several positions, Atalanta Prep became my teaching home.
Despite how life has turned out, I’m happy…we’re happy.Even with the surprise addition of this baby, and the strain it’ll put on my finances, I think we can make it work.
The drive to the kids’ school is uneventful, and I manage to hit all the green lights.When I park in the daycare pickup zone, Joey is sitting on a bench watching as the kids play on the playground.If I didn’t know him so well, I’d think he was lonely and unengaged.However, I see the way he keeps an eye on Emma in the sandbox, while Kylie plays with other kids her age.
“Hey, buddy.”Sitting next to Joey, he hands me an envelope with my name scrawled across it.It’s not often I get one of these, but it happens.“Do you want to tell me first?”Giving him the opportunity to be heard beforehand has made communication easier when something bad happens.
His shoulder lifts, and I can tell that he’s upset now.“No.”
“Is it bad?”Sometimes he needs encouragement to open up.
Blowing out a breath, Joey reaches for my hand and holds it between both of his.“He called you something I can’t repeat.”That doesn’t bode well.
“Did you say something back?”I ask.He shakes his head, and it’s my turn to blow out a deep breath.“Did you hurt him?”
“Bloody nose.”
I wince.Sadly, this isn’t the first time.
“Are you suspended?”Why didn’t I get a phone call?
“In-school.”His defeated tone wrecks me.
Wrapping an arm across his shoulders, I pull him into my side, offering comfort.“How about we go to dinner”—even though it just might kill me—“have fun, and not worry about it for now.We’ll talk about what’s happened after school tomorrow, okay?”
“Really?”He seems to perk up at that a little.
“Yes.Sometimes things can wait.Did the boy have to go home?”His head shakes.That might be why I didn’t get a call.“Then it’s a problem for tomorrow, okay?”
“Yeah.Thanks, Mom.”
I kiss the side of his head, and Emma finally spots me, dropping her bucket and shovel to come running over.
“Mama!”Her happy little call always manages to warm my heart and bring a tear to my eyes because our mom should be experiencing these moments with them.
“Hi, sweet girl.”Thankfully, she stops before jumping on me and offers me a beaded bracelet from her pocket that readsMama.“Is this for me?”
“Yup!”The pop of the p makes her laugh as she slides it on my wrist.
“It’s perfect, thank you.”
She offers her cheek, and I smooch her before she’s off into the sand again to pick up her toys.Kylie sees us and waves but continues running around with her friends before they finally come over, Emma’s teacher, Sophie, not too far behind.
“Hi, Noa, how are you?”
“Good, a little tired.”
She laughs and nods, saying, “They do that to you.”Sophie’s eyes swiftly shift to Joey before coming back to me.“He gave you the note?”
“He did.”
“Good, uh, so because it’s a suspension, we can’t have him in daycare until he’s back in class full time.”She clears her throat as my brows crease in frustration.“It’s policy.”
“Sure.I understand.”Even though I don’t.It wasn’t an issue the last time he received in-school suspension, but I don’t comment on it because it won’t matter what I say.Experience has taught me that.Even at my own school, with some of their ridiculous policies that I don’t agree with.
