“What the hell is painted chicken surprise?” I hold back a questioning look.
“The less you know, the better.” he remarks, holding out his hand for the list.
“Putting a lot of effort into this Finn,” I hand it back to him.
I start to walk away to tend to my other responsibilities and let him do his homework, I turn back to him, “Make sure the pop rock volcano is outside and also away from the other kids and volunteers.” Finn gives me a two finger salute and darts to his assigned space to do work while he’s at the after school program.
A small grin spreads across my face. I know that he means well, and he does care about others, but he is a kid, he wants to pull pranks, have a good life, and make these memories. All things considering, this is turning out to be a typical day other than Marcus being on my mind.
But something tells me I might have jinxed it all, for a sudden boom echoes in my ears. I turn to see an average height, dark-skinned student burst through the back door near the stairs. I see him limping towards me, my eyes adjust realizing who it is. The commotion of students murmuring what they were seeing, volunteers gasping as this is the first time they have seen something like this.Marcus.
“Cedric, get the kids back.” I yell and went to Marcus, as he struggled to move and walk on his own. He hung his head down, I couldn't see much. I couldn’t see if he’s bruised or bleeding, or lacking nutrition. My heart stops and realizes that Marcus is here and alive, just barely, and is safe in our hands. Marcus goes limp leaning against me, leading me to struggle even more. The weight of his body eases up as I glance to see Keola lifting Marcus’s other side, helping him. Keola looks at me, waiting for direction. My mind blanks and a rush of thought pushes.
“Um, my office, let’s get him in my office onto the couch.” Keola nods as the watchful eyes of the students and volunteers swarm us. “Layla, get everyone back and we might have to take everyone home early.” The murmurs grow louder, I gather the words to ease everyone’s mind.
One thing is for sure, Marcus is a grown solid man, if I had not known him, I wouldn’t mistake him for a teenager. His strength and build and facial features ages him a few years above him. I see the face of my nephew watching our steps more intently. I should call Brayden to come get him, I don’t need him to see someone he knows like this, at their weakest moment.
“Okay y’all, let’s call the guardians and get these students home. Our friend was injured but chose a safe place to get help. He’s safe and in good hands. That is what this place is about right? Making this a safe place to grow opportunities for us. You don’t need to worry.” Cedric comes around the corner in front of my office, soothing the minds. The students trust Cedric a lot more than most of my advocates sometimes, my heart slows down in response. Marcus might be more comfortable to talk with Cedric than anyone else.
The shuffling of the student’s feet, the volunteers looking lost, my advocates looking busy calling guardians and letting them know that we would be sending the students home early and wanted to make sure the working guardians had back up if they were currently working. I stretched the curtains in my office across the windows once we got Marcus onto the couch to stretch out. I ran to grab the first aid kit. Finn stands in the middle of the classroom across my office, with a blank, confused face. Knowing I should talk with him, but I don’t. But I do see someone else standing next to him, Keola looking down and trying to talk with him. Finn nods at what he is saying, there is a sense of calm that washes over Finn.
Something inside snarls at the sight, not wanting him to touch him or talk with him. He does not know him like I do, that maternal protective instinct scares me at times. I know that I shouldn’t be this way, Keola is a volunteer, someone who is trusted by someone else, but not by me. Nor do I want to continue to know him or allow him to be near Finn.
But seeing the calmness and collectiveness of him, eases me down for a moment, taking me back to the current situation at hand. Keola’s taciturn mannerism is alluring and at the same time alarming. He doesn’t say anything to me, but glances over to me.
“Finn,” I yell. Grabbing his attention, he walks heading back into the classroom. Keola glares at me as if I was the one in the wrong. I rush back to my office, seeing Cedric trying to calm down Marcus’s breathing. I needed to make one more call and then my attention was all his. I dial Brayden’s number, hearing it ring endlessly, until the last one he picks up.
“Lottie, pleasant surprise.” he starts but I cut him off. “I need a favor.”
“Whose body are we burying?” I know he jokes, but something solemn hits me.
“Brayden, not the time. I just,” I fight for the words, “I need you to come get Finn, there’s been a situation at work, the one I told you about. And things escalated rather quickly, and I don’t need him around this.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes.” He hangs up the phone and I quickly make my way to Finn.
Finn sits quietly at the table, with a book opened up. This little boy is too quiet in my opinion, I have the fear that he has a lot going through his mind. I crouch down and fold my arms on the table. Finn avoids eye contact with me, it scares me a bit.
“Hey kiddo,” he nods his head in response. “Oh boy, the silent treatment.” I try to get him to laugh, but he doesn’t budge.
“Mon petit prince.” I try to soothe him. He escapes from my reach, jerking his head to the side, still holding his ground. “Come on kid talk to me. What’s got you spooked? Did I do something to upset you?” He doesn’t answer me, I would be lying if I said it didn’t make me frustrated.
“Okay, you don’t want to talk, I’ll respect that, that's fine, when you’re ready, I’m here. Okay? Mr. Brayden is coming to pick you up and I will be home later.” I rub his shoulders, giving him a kiss on his cheek.
It bothers me more that Finn is spooked and is remaining quiet, it worries me more than what awaits me in my office. When he’s ready, so will I.
I walk down the hallway to find Keola on the phone and peeking over his shoulder. Most volunteers have scattered and only a few remaining kids are waiting for their transportation.
Why is he still around?
I push open my office door, Cedric is leaning against my desk facing Marcus, who is resting on my couch.
“Alright bud, here’s an ice pack for that shiner that’s forming and the first aid kit to help with those cuts on your hands.” I toss him the ice pack and sit on the other side of him, examining his knuckles and hands. I am not a nurse, but I could imagine he has some bruised ribs or other places that are bruised, by the way he flinches at every touch.
“We might need to get him to a hospital,” I mutter to Cedric, but Marcus rapidly shakes his head no.
“We gotta do what we can here.” I compromise, keeping his trust. “Bud, you gave us a scare. Look at me, are you okay?” I look at him, one of his eyes is somewhat swollen. I don’t want his mom to find him exactly like this. Marcus doesn’t look at me right away, looking down at the ground. I start taking wet cloths and dabbing to clean any wounds from debris or dirt.
“Marcus, you care to tell us what is happening? Showing up in this state, not a good look. Especially when we know what is happening at school.” Cedric leads in. Cedric can reason with him
