It’s as I step down while holding his arm that reality hits.“We don’t have the car seats.”Panic tightens my chest.I can’t believe I forgot about that.
“Hey, it’s alright.I transferred them to my SUV before leaving your apartment.It’s all good.”Spinning around, relief nauseates me as I glance into the back seat.How did I miss that?“Ah, mama.So sweet, so caring.”His lips on the side of my neck make me melt into him as he presses his sturdy chest to my back, scooping my belly into his hands and holding the weight for me.
“Oh god, that feels good.”The instant relief almost makes me cry.It’s so immensely comforting that I start to shake.It’s been so damn long since I’ve felt any sort of support.
“Noa, hey, fuck.Please don’t cry.”I didn’t realize I was until I felt him leaning forward and kissing the tears off my cheeks.“Joey’s mistrust of me is bad enough.He sees that I’ve made his mom cry, and he’ll never give me a chance.”
Laughing, I give Carmine all my weight, and he takes me without issue.“Happy tears, I promise.It just feels so good.My back isn’t screaming, and I feel like I can breathe again.”
“Then I’ll do it as often as I can.”His soft words make my heart thump fiercely against my chest.
“Mommyyyyyyy!!”Emma’s delighted shout makes us both turn to see her running full speed, with Joey chasing after her from the playground, and Kylie gathering their things.Sophie ensures someone watches the other children and comes over as well.
“Miss Carmichael, I’m glad I caught you.Can we speak for a second?”Joey won’t look at me, and it’s clear that I’m not going to like this.
“Help your sisters, please,” I tell him, but Carmine already has Emma in his arms, and Kylie slips into the backseat.“What’s going on?”I ask as we step away from the car.
“Joey wasn’t supposed to be here today.He was suspended, remember?”
“Which is why I made arrangements for him to go home with his friend.”The boy lives across the street.I see him playing in his window now as he watches TV.
“Well, Joey didn’t stay there.”She crosses her arms.
“So why didn’t you call me?”It’s what they should have done.
“Because I knew you were likely on your way here already.”
The kids are in daycare for 30 to 60 minutes a day, depending on how quickly I get out of school and maneuver traffic.
“How long was he here for?”
“Not long.”She begins shifting on her feet.
“And where was he?”I ask.
She sighs and points to a public bench on the other side of the fence.“He sat there.The girls joined him on our side of the fence.”
“So, technically speaking, he did nothing wrong except make sure that he was over here for when I arrived to pick them up and stayed off the property.”
“That’s not the point; he knew the rules.”She’s defensive now.
“Did he cause any disruptions or problems?The kids were just having free play, right?”That’s how they explained things to me when I signed up for daycare.
“Well, yes.”
Carmine has been listening, and when he steps forward to stand with me, I chew on my lip because I have the feeling this won’t go well.“What did he do wrong, then?”Joey stands by the open passenger door, pretending to play with Emma in her buckled seat but still listening.“Are you policing public streets now?”
“Of course not.”Her tone rises slightly.
“I’ll be having a word with the director and the school about this.You’re saying the child did nothing wrong, yet he can’t sit on a public bench quietly, causing no disruptions, and obviously in view of the person who was watching him until his mom arrived.”Carmine points across the street to where the friend’s mom sits on the step and waves.Joey must have told them that’s where he was supposed to be at this time.
“I understand you have rules and regulations, but your place is behind that fence.Joey did nothing wrong.”Standing up for my brother when he’s being punished for something that frankly could have been handled better is the easiest part of my job.
“Look, I’m not trying to be confrontational; I had to bring it to your attention.”The teacher’s hands rise, but it’s obvious that she’s trying to put the blame on the boy.
“You most certainly came over here for a confrontation.You didn’t bother to call Noa, and now you’re acting superior.Stop while you’re ahead, or I’ll have your job too.”
With a hand on my back, Carmine leads me away.He points to the back seat, indicating for Joey to get in, while helping me into the front seat.
