AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The crosswalks closest to the school were not bad because the elementary schools utilized crossing guards which helped to verify the messages my eyes sent to my brain. But as we drove further out, there was less need of crossing guards, and I lost my security blanket.
I pulled to a stop at a stop sign where a few kids waited to cross. They set out, a small hive of pre-teens, bumbling across the street.
The boys jabbered away to each other about their day, teasing George about the girl who texted him.
Go.
I could almost feel my foot stomping onto the accelerator, the boy in front of my car crumpling.
I swallowed hard and pressed my foot to the brake harder.
Oh, God. What if I lose control?
Relax.
Smile it away. It’s just OCD.
Joke. Make a joke.
He’s only worth two points. Not worth the jail time.
Breathe.
Smile.
“Minty?”
I looked carefully to ensure the way was clear before moving through the intersection.
“Yes, Alex?” He was up to something. I could always tell by the sound of his voice in combination with the silence from the other two. My heart smiled.
“We were thinking, if you think it’s a good idea, that we could take the day off school on Friday, you know, take a mental health day?”
I laughed. “Sounds good to me. I’ll talk to the parentals and see if I can get them onboard. What is it you would like to do on this mental health day?”
The rest of the drive was taken up with planning, effectively stealing my attention from the insidious beast that danced with doubt and fed off my fear.
I parked around back, and the boys tumbled out of the car.
Walking behind them, my heart throbbed with a mix of joy and pain.
I wrapped my palm around my throat to soothe myself. Perhaps it was just as well I did not have my own children. I’m not sure if my anxiety could handle the constant worry, the unpredictability, the upheaval of emotions. I smiled. At least I had my boys. I wouldn’t trade them for anything, and the ability to offer them understanding, especially George, made my history worthwhile.
Chapter Nine – All Grown Up
Lucky
“I can’t,” she shook her head, her sweet laughter ringing around me. “The boys made me take them yesterday, and Junie and I had it for lunch twice this week. I cannot look at another potato.”
“But you promised me souvlaki!” I protested.
After agreeing to meet me inside Spuds for a late lunch on Saturday, she texted and asked me to meet her in the parking lot behind her building instead. I’d never been to Spuds, but the smells drifting through the back door had me salivating.
I held my hand over my chest. “You’re crushing me,” I moaned.
“How about I let you take me out in your car?” she suggested, her head tilted slightly to the side, her eyes alert on my face.
I perked up, and she smiled.
