Page 10 of When I Thug You Like That

“If he keep doing that, I’ma have to start questioning the magic sauce,” Mr. Sullivan joked, making me laugh.

“No magic sauce, just the Ms. Jai effect. I hope to see my new student soon. Have a good day, guys.”

They both waved goodbye and made their exit. I stood near the door a few seconds longer before turning around.

“Just smiling all big and inviting,” the school’s receptionist and my co-worker homegirl, Ms. Woods, said from behind the front desk

I leaned over and fiddled with the sign in sheet. “I’m supposed to smile big and be inviting. I work with children.”

“Girl, please. That is not your work smile. I know you saw what I saw.”

“What? A potential new student?”

She stood and glanced down the hall before focusing back on me. “With a fine ass daddy.”

I cracked up laughing. “Something is wrong witchu.”

“Tell me I’m lyin’.”

It was my turn to look for potential onlookers before looking back at her. “Girl, fine as hell.”

We slapped fives quick.

“Walked in here all smooth, aware, and fatherly. I almost asked him to be my daddy too.”

I put my hand up to my mouth and laughed. “Shut up, Crystal.”

“Girl, I’m so serious. But how was the tour?”

“It was good. Jamison is so cute. That’s the son.”

“Okay, okay.”

“The father is very hands on. It was admirable to watch him with his son too. I think he’ll be a good fit here.”

“Shit, I sure hope he enrolls. I’d love to see him walking through here every morning. They won’t have to worry ‘bout me being late ever again.”

“Bye, girl.” I waved her off while laughing. “I’ll see you at lunch.”

“Okay, boo.”

I made my way back to my class to check on the kids and Ms. K. I watched from the door as they sat around in a circle at the reading station with Ms. K in the middle animatedly reading them a story. With the kids thoroughly engaged in whatever world she was creating, I took the opportunity to slip into my office and log the tour with the Sullivan family.

I’d been an ABA teacher at Abilities First for three years, and my love for my job went beyond the classroom. Education had always been a passion of mine, and I’d always had a heart for children. However, working specifically with children on the spectrum had been a more personal decision. Long before Abilities First, there was my godson, Chuston.

Now age eleven, my baby, Chuston, was smart, funny, overly opinionated, and one of the dopest humans I knew. From the first day of his diagnosis, I’d been beside my best friend, Taina, through damn near every stage of his journey from appointments, to evaluations, to the meetings with teachers and administrators who tried to convince my friend that they knew her child better than she did. I was there when she advocated so hard to the point where it brought her to tears on occasion. But no matter what, she never let her son see her down. Never wanted him to think that his diagnosis was a burden.

So, if she needed to cry, I offered my shoulder. If there was a meeting and she needed support, I made myself available. And when she couldn’t physically show up, he had a godmother who would. I made sure everyone knew it too. There were times when I sat beside Taina taking notes and questioning systems in place when she became too overwhelmed with everything being thrown at her. Then, I’d take whatever information that I’d questioned home with me and do my own research.

Somewhere along the way, my love for Chuston fueled my desire to make sure that he received every resource available to him and then some. And not in a way that was thrown together but with proper care from people who had a heart for the job. That realization that it was needed earlier than when we started with him led me back to school. I realized that children needed teachers in the classroom who didn’t look at their diagnosis on paper and immediately start listing limitations, and parents needed partnership.

After completing the necessary schooling, I found myself at Abilities First with a group of like-minded people. Three years later, I still felt fulfilled, even on the days that didn’t include one hundred thirty-two hugs but eight meltdowns and six redirects instead. It was still all love, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Parent was highly engaged and knowledgeable of the potential student’s needs and had a clear support plan. Potential student responded positively to the environment. Parent seemed interested in moving forward with enrollment.

I added my observation in the additional notes section of the tour feedback form and found myself smiling as I typed. To say that Mr. Sullivan was knowledgeable of his son’s needs was an understatement. I was impressed.

I saved the entry and went to lock my laptop when my phone vibrated on the desk. I glanced down at it and sucked my teeth at the name on the screen. Morgan. The little smile that had been lingering on my face turned to a look of irritation. I’d been enjoying my three months of peace post breakup, and I just knew she was about to ruin it without me even opening her text to see what she had to say.