As we drove, I kept glancing back to watch my daughter stare out the window. Where had the years gone? How was I about to drop off my little girl for her first day of kindergarten when it was only yesterday that I was screaming in pain in the delivery room?
Once we made it to the school’s parking lot, I was relieved and horrified to see Brigette’s BMW waiting for us.
“Ms. Brigette!” Emma was elated, pointing to her stepmother standing outside of her car.
“Thought it would be nice to have another friendly face here for you today, baby girl.”
We parked next to the white two-door coupe, and within seconds, Emma was unbuckled and jumping into her stepmother’s arms.
“Coffee?” Brigette asked, nodding to the two paper cups on the roof of her car.
“Thanks,” I muttered, staring at my smiling daughter clutched in her grasp.
“Ready, Emma?” Brigette set the little girl down, readjusting her backpack for her.
“No.” At least my kid was honest.
Getting down on her knee, Brigette beamed at my daughter. “You know you’re a brave little girl and this is going to be a grand adventure, just like in the fairytales we read every night.”
“Really?” Emma tucked her chin in, mulling over her stepmother’s words.
“Yep! Now take your mother’s hand and let’s get this show on the road.”
“Finnneeee.”
I pursed my lips as Emma’s tiny fingers laced with mine.
“Thank you,”I mouthed over to Brigette.
She waved me off with a kind smile, grabbing the disposable coffee cups and following us into the building.
“Wait,” Brigette called. “This is too good of a photo op to not take advantage.”
Emma and I turned around, smiling as Brigette got out her cell and snapped a few photos.
“Perfect!” she happily declared. “I’ll text them to you.”
“Want a few too?” I couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of my mouth.
“That would be lovely.”
I look the small device from the woman I hated most in the world and watched as she posed with my precious little girl. The smile on Emma’s face was worth all the discomfort. Brigette was right—it was good for my kid to see the two of us playing nice for once.
“Raven Foster?” An unfamiliar voice called over to me while I was looking at the classroom numbers, trying to find the right one.
“Yes?” I turned to see a young, gorgeous teacher smiling over at us.
“I’m Kinsley Allred. Your brother knows my husband,” she explained as she got closer. “He told me your little one was starting here today, and I wanted to tell you if you or your daughter need anything, just let me know.”
“Are you my new teacher?” Emma asked, scooting closer to our new friend.
Kinsley shook her head. “I teach fifth grade, but Mrs. Evans is going to take such good care of you. She even has a dragon in her classroom.”
“Wow! A dragon! Really?” Emma’s eyes grew wide as she whipped her head around looking for the mythical creature.
“It’s right over there. His name is Puff.” Kinsley pointed us in the direction of room twelve. “Have an amazing first day.”
Kinsley waved as Emma sprinted toward her new adventure.
