2. Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Marc
I stood in the hallway, watching as Mia walked away with her new teacher, a skinny guy with reddish hair and a kind smile. The sound of their footsteps grew fainter with each passing second. Mia glanced back over her shoulder, her little hand raised in a wave, her bright smile filled with innocence and trust.
I forced a reassuring grin onto my face, though my heart clenched with worry, a dull ache settling in my chest.
The nurse’s voice cut through my thoughts, her tone gentle and professional. She glanced down at the registration paperwork that I’d completed a few minutes before, her pen tapping against the clipboard. “I noticed that Mia’s mother isn’t listed as an emergency contact.”
My jaw tightened, even though I had been expecting the question. “Mia is adopted. My—um, we’re divorced, and her other parent isn’t in the picture any longer.” For Christ’s sake, just say it. It isn’t like it's anything to be ashamed of, even in this small town. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that honesty about my life was the only way to teach Mia to be proud of hers. “My ex-husband and I adopted Mia as a baby, but I’m raising her alone now.” As the words left my mouth, a mix of relief and anxiety washed over me—a constant struggle between being transparent and worrying about what other people thought.
The nurse’s brow quirked, a barely perceptible movement that spoke volumes. Her expression remained neutral, but I sensed the surprise, the unspoken questions lingering in the air between us. Instead, she said, “We will need an emergency contact. Is there anyone else you’d like to list, in case we can’t get a hold of you?”
Oh. Of course, that made sense. “Um, my brother, Alonso. He runs the garage where I’m working right now.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, wincing as the soles of my work boots scuffed against the clean floor. “And probably his wife, Elena.”
The nurse’s eyes lit up with recognition, a smile spreading across her face. “Mendez Automotives. Yes, he’s good. My husband takes our cars there to be serviced.” She nodded, her pen scratching against the paper as she finished up the paperwork. “Well, Mr. Parker is one of our best teachers. Mia will have a great time in his classroom.”
The rhythmic click of heels against the floor drew my attention. I looked up to see a woman approaching, gray hair styled in a neat bob. She carried herself with an air of authority, her crisp blazer and skirt a stark contrast to the bright, child-friendly decor of the hallway.
“Ah, Mrs. Hawkins,” the nurse greeted her, a note of respect in her voice. “This is Marc Mendez. He just enrolled his daughter Mia in Mr. Parker’s class.” She turned back to me. “Mr. Mendez, this is our principal, Mrs. Ginger Hawkins.”
Principal Hawkins extended her hand, her grip firm and confident as she shook mine. “Mr. Mendez. I wanted to say hello and welcome to Blanco Springs Elementary. I like to meet all our parents personally. Put a face with a name, you know.” She glanced between the nurse and me. “I trust that Nurse Chen has answered all of your questions and concerns?” she said with a strong southern accent.
I nodded quickly. “Yes, she’s been very helpful. I just—” I took a breath. “I need to know that Mia will be okay here, with her health issues and all.”
The principal’s blue eyes softened, and a gentle smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “I assure you, Mr. Mendez, that we take the well-being of all our students seriously. Mr. Parker is an excellent teacher, and he will make sure Mia feels safe and supported in his classroom.” She paused, her gaze drifting as the sound of students filling the hallway caught her attention. “Starting school can be daunting, especially for a child with unique needs. But I have no doubt that Mia will thrive here, and that she will make many new friends.”
Relief mingled with doubt as a weight lifted. Could Alonso be right? The simplicity of small-town life had always seemed a distant dream. Yet, here was a place where the principal of a school spoke to each parent like they were family.
“Thank you, ma’am. That means a lot.” With any luck, this move to Blanco Springs was more than an escape from the problems of a big city—it was a chance to rebuild.
She smiled, her eyes crinkling with warmth. “Of course. And please, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other concerns. My door is always open.”
With a final nod, she turned and strode down the hallway, talking to some students as they walked. I watched her go, a sense of relief washing over me. The sights and sounds of the elementary school brought a smile to my face, despite the pit of unease that settled in my stomach at the thought of leaving Mia here.
It had been years since I’d stepped foot inside a school like this, but the familiar sensations were comforting, even as they reminded me of how many things had changed.
This is what Mia needed—a normal life, a chance to make friends and learn and grow. I had to be strong for her, to trust that she was in excellent hands.
With a last glance, I turned and walked towards the heavy double doors and out of the school.
***
The drive to Mendez Automotive Services was short, the picturesque streets of downtown Blanco Springs, with its coffee shops and vintage clothing stores, passing by in a blur of color and sound.
When I pulled into the parking lot, I saw Alonso waiting for me, his broad frame clad in oil-stained coveralls. He raised a hand in greeting as I hopped out of my truck, the scent of motor oil and metal enveloping me like an old friend. It reminded me of being a child in our father’s garage, where we both learned from the best how to fix cars.
Alonso’s eyes were warm and curious as he asked, “How’d she do?”
I ran a hand through my hair. “She was so excited, so ready. Me? I’m a wreck. Met her teacher and everything.” I grinned, although inside I felt a little scrambled. “Had to talk to the principal, too.” Every inch of this day had tested me, as if I was waiting for someone to call me out.
Alonso threw his head back and laughed, the sound deep and rich, as he rubbed his bald head. “Just like the old days, eh?” He clapped me on the back. “Aw, she’ll be fine, little brother. You made the right choice, moving here. A fresh start is what you both need right now, after the divorce and all.” He gripped my shoulder, firm and reassuring. “You’ve got this. I’m here for you, always.”
Seeing Alonso’s approving smile was like a balm, knitting together the frayed edges of my confidence. As stress melted from my clenched muscles, my shoulders dropped in relief.
He was right. This move was exactly what Mia and I needed.
A chance to start over, to build a new life together without Jacob, and re-build my relationship with my family.
I followed him into the noisy garage—the clang of metal on metal, the hiss of air tools, and the low buzz of conversation all blended into the background. “Who’s her teacher? The lady or the red-haired guy?” Alonso asked.
“Um, it was a guy. Mr. Parker.”
Alonso nodded approvingly. “He’s good. Isaac had him, I think. You can check with Elena, but I’m sure she liked him a lot. Nice guy.”
“He seemed okay.” I didn’t remember having many teachers that were men when I was a kid, not until high school at least. But everyone seemed to agree that Mia was in good hands, so I wasn’t going to worry about it just yet.
“Alright, Marc.” Alonso’s voice cut through the hum of the garage, his finger pointing towards a car in the corner. “That one needs an oil change and tires rotated.”
I nodded, my hands already reaching for the tools I needed. “Got it.” The crack of my knuckles signaled the start of another day’s work. Yet as I set to the task at hand, Alonso’s words from earlier echoed in my head. Fresh start.
It wasn’t just about Mia—it was about me, too.
I glanced around the garage, taking in the organized chaos of tools and equipment, the grease-stained concrete floor, and the faded posters on the walls. If someone told me two years ago that I’d be working as an auto mechanic for my brother, I’d have said they were crazy.
Yet here I was.
Even though we hadn’t been all that close after I moved away and got married, Alonso had come through for me when I needed him, offering me this job so I could have some benefits and a boss who understood that I might need to take time off for Mia’s medical needs.
Even more—this was my chance to leave my foolish ‘side-hustle’ behind and say goodbye to Magic Marco.
That stupid nickname… each syllable a reminder of the lengths I went to for Mia. God, what kind of father gets naked online to keep the lights on? I shook my head, a knot of guilt drowned out by this newfound determination. This new life, this small-town routine, was our shot at normalcy. The stability would help Mia’s health improve, giving her the childhood she deserved—one free from hospital beds and a father scraping by paycheck to paycheck.
So much had changed in the two years. The memory of staring at the divorce papers, stark and unforgiving on the coffee table, still sent a dull ache through my chest. Then there were the medical bills—hospital, doctors, pharmacy—all piling up like leaves in the fall, each one a reminder of how close we were to drowning after Jacob fucked off to “go find himself.”
Whatever that meant.
I remembered the night I registered as a creator on PrivatelyYours, an online adult entertainment website, the night Magic Marco was born. I never intended to do it more than once or twice, but the extra money from a few livestreams was too hard to pass on. Quick and easy money, a last resort to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table.
Even now, every paycheck counted.
But thanks to Alonso’s job offer, this was our chance to start over, to build a new life here in this small town and be close to my brother and his family. Yeah, it had stung at first, coming hat in hand to my family, swallowing my pride and asking for help.
But I couldn’t let Mia down. I wouldn’t.
Wiping the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand, I stretched my arms high above my head. Then my thoughts drifted to Mia once more. I imagined Mia in her new classroom, eyes wide with wonder, as she learned new things and made new friends.
She was going to be okay. We were going to be okay.
***
Hours later, I turned off the engine of the car I had been working on, the sudden silence almost deafening after the constant hum of machinery. I made my way to the sink to clean up my grease-stained hands before picking Mia up from school. The soap foamed and swirled down the drain, taking with it the last traces of the day’s hard work.
As I climbed into my pickup truck, vibrations traveled up through the steering wheel and into my bones. I pulled out of the parking lot, my thoughts already turning to Mia and her first day of school. “Let today be a good day for her,” I whispered out into the universe.
Pulling into the school’s driveline, my eyes scanned the playground, searching for the familiar sight of my daughter. And there she was, playing with the other children, laughing as she ran. I swallowed hard, fighting back the lump in my throat. Watching Mia run and laugh, her face lit up with pure joy—a sense of certainty washed over me.
I had made the right choice.
The car line moved steadily. As I reached the front, I glimpsed the principal, walkie-talkie in hand, as she scanned the line of cars. She looked up as I approached, her eyes meeting mine through the windshield.
I waved and held up the pickup card they’d given me, with both Mia’s name and Mr. Parker’s printed on it in bold, black letters.
Mrs. Hawkins spoke into her walkie-talkie. Then she turned to me, a smile spreading across her face as she leaned into the passenger window. “Hi, Mr. Mendez,” she called out, her voice warm and welcoming. “Mia had a great first day with us.”
Yes. I took a deep breath, worry ebbing away as I let it out. “I’m so glad to hear that,” I replied. “I was worried all day, even though I knew she was okay.”
Soon, Mia came bounding out of the school, her dark braids bouncing with each energetic step. Behind her, Mr. Parker followed, his long strides easily keeping pace with Mia.
Instantly, that worry flooded back. Why was her teacher walking her out? Had something gone wrong?
Mr. Parker opened the back door to the truck, then helped Mia into her booster seat, his gentle hands guiding her as she clambered up. Mia’s voice bubbled with excitement as she bounced into her seat, her small hand waving energetically. “Bye, Mr. Parker! See you tomorrow!”
Mr. Parker’s smile was warm and genuine as he replied, “Absolutely. See you then.” Then he turned his attention to me, his expression softening. “Your daughter is amazing. She knows so many numbers and letters already!”
When was I going to stop assuming the worst in every situation? “Glad to hear it,” I answered, reaching back and holding out my hand and high fiving my daughter. “Good job, mija .”
“Here’s a list of some supplies she’ll need for the rest of the year.” Mr. Parker handed me a folded piece of paper, and his fingers brushed against mine, lingering a moment longer than necessary.
I felt a jolt—a mix of surprise and an unexpected flutter in my stomach. I pulled back, surprised by my reaction. “Thanks.” As I took the list, I noticed the way Mr. Parker’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink, hazel eyes wide as he looked up at me, our eyes locking.
Oh.
Mr. Parker was…cute.
I offered him an apologetic smile, suddenly aware of the inappropriate nature of my thoughts. But then, reality came crashing down, and I tamped down that idea, reminding myself that those types of relationships were in the past now.
Mia was my sole focus, that’s all.
“Have a great evening, you two,” Mr. Parker said, his voice soft as he stepped back from the truck, his hand raised in a small wave.
“You too,” I replied with a nod, then forced myself to focus on Mia, on the way her small hands fumbled with the seatbelt, deep in concentration.
As we drove through the quaint downtown of Blanco Springs, Mia’s excited chatter filled the cab of the truck, her words tumbling out in a rush of enthusiasm. She told me all about the colorful posters that adorned the walls of Mr. Parker’s classroom. Her eyes sparkled as she described the book they had read together, and their art project using colored paper and glue.
But it was the new friends she had made that set her face aglow, her smile so wide it seemed to light up the entire truck. She rattled off their names, each one a new character in the story of her life. Her excitement was contagious, and I smiled along with her, my own worries and concerns momentarily forgotten in the face of her pure, unbridled joy.
We pulled up to our small rental house on the edge of town, and I got hit with a pang of nostalgia for the life we had left behind in Dallas. Before Mia was born, Jacob and I went to restaurants and museums, parties and dance clubs on the weekends with our friends. Much of that stopped after Mia came, and her health issues got more complicated, but there was still a lot about a big city that I appreciated.
This rental house wasn’t much—just a simple one-story structure with peeling paint and a large, overgrown yard. Much smaller than the one we’d left in Dallas, but for right now, it was home, the place where we would build our new beginning.
I helped Mia out of the truck, her small hand warm and trusting in mine.
When Jacob and I had first adopted her, just a tiny baby, I had never pictured myself as a small-town single dad, struggling to make ends meet and provide for my child on my own.
But here we were, just the two of us making the best of the hand life dealt us. There would be challenges ahead, obstacles to overcome and tough decisions, but I also knew that together, Mia and I could weather any storm.
Just as we stepped onto the porch, my phone buzzed in my pocket, the vibration startling me out of my reverie. I pulled it out, my brow furrowing as I saw the name on the screen. It was an old friend from Dallas, someone I hadn’t spoken to in years, almost as if they knew I’d been thinking about the old days.
I pressed the phone to my ear. “Carlos?”
“Marc, my man! How’ve you been?” Carlos asked, his tone jovial and warm.
“I’m doing alright. Just trying to get settled here in Blanco Springs with Mia,” I replied, my eyes still on my daughter as she flopped down on the sofa in our living room.
“Listen, I’ve got an opportunity for you. I’m starting up a new landscaping company in Dallas, and I could really use a guy with your skills and experience to manage the crew. What do you say? Want to come back and work with me?”
Oh, yes. For a moment, I imagined being back home, as if I could smell the dirt under my fingers. It was tempting—a steady paycheck and the chance to do the work I loved.
It was almost too good to resist.
Mia’s laughter pealed from the living room, her smile outshining the afternoon sun. No, I wasn’t going to take this away from her. “Carlos, I appreciate the offer. I really do. But I can’t uproot Mia again, not now. She just started school here, and she’s so happy…” I hesitated, conflicting emotions battling below the surface.
The lure of returning to Dallas, the life and work I once loved, was strong. I could almost feel the sun warming my back as I worked the soil, smell the fresh-cut grass.
But Mia’s laughter rang in my ears, and the memory of her joyous face at school with her new friends was unforgettable. This move was for her, for both our futures. I couldn’t let anything jeopardize that.
“I get it, man. Family comes first. But if you change your mind, the offer stands. We can talk again in the summer, see where things are at?”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Yeah, maybe. Thanks for thinking of me, Carlos. It means a lot.”
“Anytime, Marc. You take care of yourself and that little girl, you hear?”
“I will. Thanks again.”
As I ended the call, Mia bounded over to me, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Who was that, Papi?” she asked, her small hand tugging at my shirt.
I smiled down at her, my beautiful girl. “Just an old friend.” I picked her up and kissed the side of her head. “So, you had a good day today?”
She grinned up at me, her joy infectious. “The best day. I like it here.”
I pulled her into a hug, my arms tight around her. “Me too, Mia. Me too.”