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They stopped at the classroom to drop off Frenchie and grab Caleb’s backpack. “Okay, let’s go give your mom a call.”
Milo and Caleb went to the office, and Barb, the receptionist, looked up from her desk and smiled. “Good morning, Mr. Milo. Who do we have here?”
“Caleb Carson. Can you put a call in to his mom? Looks like he’s caught the bug.”
“Of course. We have twenty students absent today.”
Rachel came out of her office. “What’s going on?”
“Caleb is sick.” He glanced at Caleb, who had moved to a chair and sat down. “He asked for his mom.”
“Like literally?”
“Yes.”
“Poor thing.”
“Maybe he could stay with you until Wilda can get here.”
Rachel looked at Caleb. “I think you should stay with him. I’ll cover your class until you get back.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Barb hung up the phone. “She’ll be here in twenty minutes.”
She was probably at his house painting the trim in the parlor. “We’ll go wait out front for her.” He looked at Rachel. “Thanks.”
“I enjoy watching your class now and then. It reminds me why I went into administration.”
Milo and Caleb sat on a bench in front of the office. Even though it was late February, the weather had been mild since the rain stopped, and the sun shone down from the clear sky, making it comfortable. Caleb leaned against Milo with his hand resting on Milo’s thigh. Milo patted it.
“She’ll be here soon.”
Wilda arrived a few minutes later, and as she approached, Caleb sat up and held out his arms. She picked him up. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling well.” He laid his head against her shoulder.
Milo stood. “I’ll walk you to the car.”
Once they got to the car and Wilda put Caleb in the backseat, Milo walked her to the driver’s side door. “He talked to me.”
“What did he say?”
“Just one word. Mama.”
Wilda’s eyes filled with tears, and she took a moment, then exhaled slowly. “That’s what he used to call me.”
Milo put a hand on her arm. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes. Why aren’t you with your class?”
“Rachel is with them. I wanted to stay with Caleb until you got here.”
“Thank you.”
“Can I come check on him after school?”
“Of course. I spent the morning at your house. The trim is looking good. I’m a little afraid to take the leap and paint the fireplace.”
