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When I’d mentioned to my brother that I planned to go car shopping today, he’d invited himself along, claiming he knows a few dealerships outside of town where I could get a good price.
But when I tap on my home screen, I see that it’s not my brother who’s trying to reach me so early in the morning.
I frown as I scan the new email from Stella’s school. What the…?
The school is closed?! Well, that’s what this message says. I click on a link in the email and am taken to a video message from some director at the school board.
The white-haired man wears a grave expression as he speaks. “Following heavy rain over the course of the evening, a part of the school’s roof collapsed. Upon further inspection, we’ve become quite concerned about the air quality and about the high likelihood of toxic mold in the building. We’ve reached the conclusion that the school’s crumbling infrastructure has created a dangerous environment for the students, teachers and staff. Immediate action is being taken to remedy the situation. We hate to interrupt classes, especially so close to the end of the academic year, and we know that this closure will be a major inconvenience for families around town. But these repairs are serious and they just can’t wait. Until the necessary repairs are carried out, school is closed. Indefinitely.”
Damn.
Don’t get me wrong—this is good news. My baby girl and her classmates deserve a safe and sanitary learning environment. These repairs will ensure that they get that.
Still I’ve got to admit that I was not expecting this school closure news today. It automatically changes my plans.
Trying to juggle things around in my head, I get myself dressed and walk over to Gen’s trailer. She’s just as surprised as I am to hear the news of the school closure.
Between the two of us, it’s going to be a new challenge handling childcare during the usual school hours. Not to mention trying to make sure Stella stays up-to-date with her reading and math progress.
“Any chance you could watch Stella for a few hours today? There’s a few errands I was hoping to run.” I hate to ask, but I do.
A guilty look comes over her face and she glances down at her outfit. That’s when I notice that the older woman is all dressed up. Fancy shoes and everything.
I immediately start to backtrack. “Shucks. You have plans, don’t you?”
“It’s jigsaw puzzle day at Sylvia’s knitting shop,” she says sheepishly.
“Sorry. Never mind, then.”
She waves her arms around, cutting me off. “It’s fine. I’ll cancel my plans to watch Stella.”
“No, ma’am, you’re not. Thanks for offering, but you already sacrifice so damn much for my daughter and me. You deserve to have fun. I won’t ask you to cancel your plans today.”
Gen tries to argue. But I make sure I have the final word. Stella and I hustle off before the old lady can convince me to accept her help.
My former mother-in-law is a freaking lifesaver, but she’s stubborn to a fault and I won’t ruin her fun.
My daughter and I get back to the house. We sit down to eat some breakfast while I try to come up with something stimulating for us to do. Stella would be miserable car shopping—price comparing and discussing gas mileage for hours and hours, so that’s off the table. But I also don’t want to just plop her in front of the TV all day either.So I’m going to have to be creative.
She and I are washing dishes together when the doorbell rings. Then someone starts pounding on my front door. I instantly know who it is. Darius’s impatient ass.
I dry my hands, stroll down the hallway and swing open the door.
“Uncle D!” Stella exclaims when my brother elbows me out of the way and strolls into my house.
Darius wiggles his nose from side to side like he’s fighting back a sneeze. “Hiya, Princess!” He gives her head a good ruffle as he saunters past her and she breaks out giggling. Half a second later, Ronan, Felix and Archer barrel inside.
Is this another family intervention? Oh, great.
I look at them all and grunt. “How are you knuckleheads all here on a weekday?” I ask the guys. “Don’t you have jobs?”
I’m met with various shrugs.
“Hockey season’s over. I’ve got nothing better to do,” Ronan flings out casually as he sweeps my daughter off her feet and tosses her over his shoulder.
“I’m playing hooky,” Archer mumbles.
“Scheduled vacation day,” Felix says with a happy-go-lucky grin. “The medical clinic is Mason’s problem today.”
