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Winston, driven by an urgency only a child can muster, bolts into the bathroom, completely disregarding my instructions. Luckily, Milo follows him inside, sticking to the plan. Johnny and Jack enter a little more hesitantly but stay close, providing a sense of relief.
As the boys disappear into the restroom, I try to shake off the unease settling inside me. I trust them, but the responsibility gnaws at me.
Feeling my phone buzz in my pocket, I hastily pull it out, hoping it’s Matty with an update or perhaps an encouraging message to soothe my nerves.
Matty:Where are you?
Me:Cafeteria bathrooms.
He doesn’t reply, leaving me to assume he’s on his way. Peering around the quirky cafeteria, I can’t help but feel a mix of fascination and unease. The setup is peculiar. Little restaurants line the edges, allowing people to walk up, place their orders, and then carry their trays to a table. In the center, where the tables are, there’s an artificial forest, with faux foliage and carefully designed decor. It’s an intriguing concept, but I’m undecided on whether it disturbs me or if I appreciate the creativity.
As I’m lost in thought, Johnny and Jack stumble out of the bathroom, their hands wet and infectious giggles bubbling up from them. I decide I don’t want to know what they found so amusing in there.
“Ms. Hart.” Johnny tugs on my jacket. “Can we stand in line for milkshakes? It’s right there.” He points, a hint of impatience in his voice.
“We stick together as a group,” I remind them gently, emphasizing the importance of staying together in this bustling place.
“But Winston is in the bathroom, and he takes forever,” Jack protests, doing a little stomp with his foot.
“Go ahead, sweetheart.” Matty suddenly appears behind me, his presence comforting. He presses a tender kiss to my temple, and the boys giggle at the display of affection. “I’ll supervise the one in the bathroom,” he playfully clarifies, eliciting more laughter from the boys. “Not like that.” His lighthearted comment eases the tension, allowing the boys to scamper toward the milkshake line, excited and free-spirited.
“Come on!” Johnny grabs my jacket, giving it an excited tug that propels me toward the line. At the same time, Matty heads into the bathroom to assist.
Inside the cafeteria, the noise level is markedly higher than the comparative calm of the school bus. We stand in line, and from here, I can multitask—keep an eye on the bathroom and survey the vibrant menu.
“Chocolate,” Johnny states, making a decisive milkshake choice without consulting the menu.
I turn my attention to Jack, curious about his flavor preference. “What about you, Jack?” I inquire, nudging the taller boy gently.
“Strawberry.” He smiles at me, revealing a charming gap in his teeth. “I’ve even figured out the perfect straw placement!”
I chuckle, appreciating his attention to detail. Engaged in our conversation, I glance back at the bathroom just in time to see Winston sprinting toward us without Milo.
In life, there are moments when the entire world seems to slow down as if the universe plots to make you fully absorb the agonizing weight of your experiences.
I watch Winston’s eyes meet mine, their once vibrant hues dulled, bloodshot, and filled with tears.
He’s crying.
Why is he crying?
My stomach plummets as his trembling lips form words that I can’t quite hear, drowned out by the agonizing slowness of time. The world spins around us, and I’m trapped in a timeless void.
“Milo,” he finally manages to say, stumbling toward me, his breath hitching. “Gone.”
I wonder if he says more than just those two words, but it hardly matters. Those two words are enough to send shockwaves of pain tearing through my soul. My entire world fractures and splinters into a thousand pieces, each shard bearing the weight of unbearable loss.
It’s a moment etched in my memory, a reality I can’t escape. The tragic inner conflict tears at my heart, leaving me helpless in the face of something I never wanted to confront.
Matty bursts out of the bathroom, a phone pressed to his ear and words tumbling out at an alarming pace. Seconds later, the wail of a siren pierces the air above.
It’s as though my mind has hit a wall, incapable of processing anything.
Not a single damn thing.
I’m oblivious as Matty grabs my arm, pulling me out of the line. Even as Winston clings to me, I’m numb to the world. His sobs are a harrowing cacophony that grind against my heart. Johnny and Jack ask for my phone, and in a daze, I give it to them, watching as they call their teacher, their actions a surreal blur.
I can only manage to stare at that open bathroom archway, frozen in place as people pass through it.
