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Because if that was the case, I’d have left all this behind. Trying to fight addiction and suicidal thoughts while dealing with a baby was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. However, my love for Gabe, pure determination along with therapy got me through it.
He doesn’t get to walk away because it’s hard. That isn’t an excuse.
He nods. “Okay.”
The pounding of little footsteps heading in our direction lets me know Gabe is on his way back.
“Guess what,” I say when he enters in the room and walks right up to his father’s side. “Hulk is coming with us to take you to school.”
Gabe smiles so wide, it mirrors on my face. Every decision I make, I do it for him. Even allowing his father in his life temporarily. No matter what it will do to me, it’s all for him.
***
I park my car on the curb near Heartfelt Academy. Climbing out, I go around to the back seat to get Gabe out. Gabriel comes around to join us on the sidewalk.
“Do you have your lunch box?”
He holds up his Iron Man lunch box for me to see.
“Alright, come on.” I hold out my hand, but he takes his father’s instead. I swallow down the sting, but don’t take it personally.
We head toward the large brick building. Parents and children surround the outside of the school saying their goodbyes and getting hugs and kisses. As soon as we approach the front door, I stop Gabe, kneeling in front of him.
“What are we going to have today?”
“A good day.”
“Are we going to use our words?”
“Yes,” he nods with a smile.
I place my fist out in front of me. He bumps his fist against mine before turning to look up at his father.
“See you later, Hulk.” Gabe holds out a fist for his father.
Gabriel bumps his fist against Gabe’s. “See you later,” he says.
Gabe walks up the front steps of the school. His teacher and assistant teacher are there to greet him. Immediately, his teacher looks over to me and holds up a hand.
She hurries down the steps toward me. “Ms. Jones. I was wondering if I can speak with you for a moment.” She glances at Gabriel.
“Sure,” I say giving her permission to speak freely.
She pushes her hair behind her ear. “As you know August has had a real hard time making friends.”
“Yeah,” I say encouraging her to finish her thoughts.
It isn’t that Gabe doesn’t make friends, he just prefers to play alone. I try to get him around other kids to help him socialize but it never fails, he will find a quiet spot somewhere by himself. Funny enough, he does better with older kids and adults. He has no problems hanging with Emory.
“Well,” She goes on to say. “I notice that August gets more restless during certain times in class. Especially around group learning activities. I took him aside a few days ago to work one on one with him, and I noticed that he’s advanced. He’s reading well on his own and doing some simple math problems.”
The kid catches on to things quickly. It’s why after only a few short lessons he’s already doing sign language with Emory.
“Okay,” I say not sure where she’s going with this.
I glance up at Gabriel to see what he thinks about this so far. However, his gaze is busy scanning the street and the surrounding area. To anyone else it may look as if he isn’t paying attention, but I know he is.
“I want to place August in the Kindergarten class for about an hour or two for a few days. I think he will do well. But I understand how he does with change and making friends, so if you want to wait on it, I will understand.”
