After-Hours

We decided to cut through the park on our way to pick you up. Naja was kicking rocks on the way there, nearly running head-first into a pole while chasing one that had wandered off. We stopped for her to pick up flowers—one for me and one for her. She gave mine to me with a toothy smile. She seemed to simmer down a bit after that, returning to my side and taking my hand.

Naja pointed at a pond a little ways off. Her eyes lit up. I placed my flower in my hair and followed her down to the pond. My intuition was proven right as she tried to wade into the pond chasing a tadpole. I picked her up by the armpits before she soiled her orange dress.

“A frog! Look, it’s a frog,” Naja said, brimming with excitement as I carried her back to the path.

Putting her down, I held her hand—a tad bit firmer this time.

It was after-hours, so most kids were gone by now. There were a few cars dotted around the parking lot. A boy held onto his lunchbox while on his father’s shoulders. Naja and I made our way into the school, then to your door. It looked like you were speaking to someone I couldn’t quite make out. You turned to look at me, and I smiled. Then I raised Naja to the glass. She made all manner of movements, and I watched you fight a smirk.

I set Naja down, and she started, “Who’s that?”

“I dunno, a colleague, probably.”

I don’t think she cared for the answer too much as she proceeded to skip down the hallway.

It took a bit, but you and your coworker came out.

“Hey.”

You leant in to hug me and said, “Hey” back.

Naja left the posters behind and clung to you.

“What was that about?” I asked.

“Admin wanted to know if I could sit in for sessions with Jacob. Preferred me or something. The parents seconded as well.”

“Jacob, that’s the one you think’s funny, yeah?”

“Think?” scoffing and then shaking your head.

“You gonna do it?”

“Not all of them, but I think I can do Wednesday and Thursdays for sure.”

“What’s gonna happen in these sessions?”

“He needs some one-on-one help with a few of his classes, we’re hoping I’m a bit better at getting through to him. It doesn’t sound too bad, and he’s a good kid.”

“You guys promised we were getting ice cream,” Naja butted in.

“She do the dishes?” You asked me.

I nodded.

“Ice cream!” You erupted.

Naja ran for the door.

You turned to me and brushed my cheek. “Your favourite. Dandelions.”