8. Noa
Noa
Much of this pregnancy has been smooth sailing.
Rare morning sickness, no heartburn, only mild cravings, and the aches and pains had begun, but nothing too terrible.
This morning, however, I woke up feeling as if I’d been thrown into a food processor and just looking at anything edible makes me vomit.
I take my daily vitamins, ensure I eat and drink properly, but now I’d like to curl up into a ball and sleep until I reach the end.
My back kills me, my hips feel like they’re grinding every time I move, and I’m fairly certain this baby is chewing on my ribs.
Between the pain and lack of sleep last night, I’m seriously debating whether to cancel dinner with Carmine tonight.
Which just might kill me too, because the kids have been so excited to go and deserve a night out.
Closing my eyes as I lean back in my chair in the front office, I try some breathing exercises my doctor showed me at my last visit when I’m interrupted.
“Well, I suppose we know who the father is now.” Erin Tuckwood’s snide comment doesn’t affect me the way he’d like.
“You know what making assumptions gets you,” I reply, continuing to count my breaths while rubbing a hand in circles on my belly as he processes my comment.
“Excuse me?” He sounds perplexed.
“Assuming things makes an ass out of you and me, and since I’m not an ass, I don’t appreciate you commenting on anything about my personal life.” Spearing him with a side eye, I spot the annoyance in his gaze before his jaw clenches, and he spins around to storm off.
Any other day, I’d be amused; today, I just want to forget about him. He’s an obnoxious ass who throws tantrums that could rival Emma’s when she’s in a mood.
The final bell of the day blares through the school, startling me from my attempt at relaxation and tensing up my entire body again.
I hate disappointing the kids, especially if I’m reading Carmine right, and he is trying to bond with them, but I just can’t go out tonight.
I need a warm bath steeped with lavender Epsom salts, followed by chamomile tea to hopefully help ease me into sleep.
If I’m not feeling better by the morning, I’ll make an appointment with my doctor.
Gradually, I pack up my purse and coat after having a drizzle of rain this morning, then wait until most of the halls have cleared so I can take my time getting to my car. A few lingering students say good night as I pass by, and I realize that more students know who I am than I’d thought.
It’s nice belonging to a community, even if I don’t like some of the people I work with.
Realizing I’ve made a connection with those I don’t often interact with is fulfilling.
Teaching wasn’t something I had planned on doing as a kid; I wanted to be a lawyer, but I knew that wouldn’t be possible around the time Kylie was born.
High school was spent ensuring my grades would earn me a scholarship so I wouldn’t be in debt once I finished and could still help Mom with the kids and be present in their lives.
Letting go of my dreams wasn’t too hard; I grieved for a while, then had to move on.
Eventually, I fell in love with the idea of teaching, and after being offered several positions, Atalanta Prep became my teaching home.
Despite how life has turned out, I’m happy…we’re happy. Even with the surprise addition of this baby, and the strain it’ll put on my finances, I think we can make it work.
The drive to the kids’ school is uneventful, and I manage to hit all the green lights.
When I park in the daycare pickup zone, Joey is sitting on a bench watching as the kids play on the playground.
If I didn’t know him so well, I’d think he was lonely and unengaged.
However, I see the way he keeps an eye on Emma in the sandbox, while Kylie plays with other kids her age.
“Hey, buddy.” Sitting next to Joey, he hands me an envelope with my name scrawled across it. It’s not often I get one of these, but it happens. “Do you want to tell me first?” Giving him the opportunity to be heard beforehand has made communication easier when something bad happens.
His shoulder lifts, and I can tell that he’s upset now. “No.”
“Is it bad?” Sometimes he needs encouragement to open up.
Blowing out a breath, Joey reaches for my hand and holds it between both of his. “He called you something I can’t repeat.” That doesn’t bode well.
“Did you say something back?” I ask. He shakes his head, and it’s my turn to blow out a deep breath. “Did you hurt him?”
“Bloody nose.”
I wince. Sadly, this isn’t the first time.
“Are you suspended?” Why didn’t I get a phone call?
“In-school.” His defeated tone wrecks me.
Wrapping an arm across his shoulders, I pull him into my side, offering comfort. “How about we go to dinner”—even though it just might kill me—“have fun, and not worry about it for now. We’ll talk about what’s happened after school tomorrow, okay?”
“Really?” He seems to perk up at that a little.
“Yes. Sometimes things can wait. Did the boy have to go home?” His head shakes. That might be why I didn’t get a call. “Then it’s a problem for tomorrow, okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks, Mom.”
I kiss the side of his head, and Emma finally spots me, dropping her bucket and shovel to come running over.
“Mama!” Her happy little call always manages to warm my heart and bring a tear to my eyes because our mom should be experiencing these moments with them.
“Hi, sweet girl.” Thankfully, she stops before jumping on me and offers me a beaded bracelet from her pocket that reads Mama. “Is this for me?”
“Yup!” The pop of the p makes her laugh as she slides it on my wrist.
“It’s perfect, thank you.”
She offers her cheek, and I smooch her before she’s off into the sand again to pick up her toys. Kylie sees us and waves but continues running around with her friends before they finally come over, Emma’s teacher, Sophie, not too far behind.
“Hi, Noa, how are you?”
“Good, a little tired.”
She laughs and nods, saying, “They do that to you.” Sophie’s eyes swiftly shift to Joey before coming back to me. “He gave you the note?”
“He did.”
“Good, uh, so because it’s a suspension, we can’t have him in daycare until he’s back in class full time.” She clears her throat as my brows crease in frustration. “It’s policy.”
“Sure. I understand.” Even though I don’t. It wasn’t an issue the last time he received in-school suspension, but I don’t comment on it because it won’t matter what I say. Experience has taught me that. Even at my own school, with some of their ridiculous policies that I don’t agree with.
Joey waits until she walks away to say, “I’m sorry, Mom.”
“Don’t stress too much, sweetheart, we’ll get things worked out.
” Therapy might be in his future to help work through everything that’s happened to him.
Especially after our run-in with his father.
“Now, who’s ready for Rusty’s Pizzeria?” The girls cheer loudly; Joey perks up but isn’t overly enthusiastic.
Piling into the car, everyone gets buckled up before we quickly run home to drop off our school bags, then change into something more comfortable.
After switching into different shoes, I drop onto the couch, my body aching and screaming for sleep; nonetheless, I refuse to cancel plans with the kids being so excited.
We have an hour before we’re supposed to meet Carmine, so I close my eyes, hoping to relax for a few minutes. Before I know it, someone gently shakes my shoulder, and I can hear a light whispering.
“Mom, are we still going?” Kylie’s timid tone makes me blink awake, looking around, feeling disoriented.
“What time is it?” My voice cracks from my dry mouth.
“Six,” Joey replies, his concern making me groan.
“Sorry, guys. Guess I was more tired than I thought. Is everyone ready?” They each nod, their shoes and sweaters on. “Okay, great, just wait at the door.” I bite my cheek to stifle a moan as my body protests. The tightness in my back is much worse than when we got home.
Slowly, but as quickly as I can, I’m on my feet. Kylie holds my purse, while Joey has the car keys.
“I’ll buckle Emma in,” he offers, obviously noticing my unease.
“That’d be great, buddy, thank you.”
Kylie helps Em down the flights of stairs while I lock the door, and Joey sticks close to me until we’re in the lobby.
I’m out of breath, stiff, and wishing just to sleep, but I push on.
My body protests with every step, until I’m slumped against the side of the car as Joey helps Emma into her seat and buckles her up.
After making sure everything is in place, I move to the driver’s seat and take a couple of minutes to regain my energy while Joey and Kylie settle in.
“Ready, Mom!” Kylie claps, jolting me.
I snap in my own seatbelt, start the car, and we’re on our way.
We’re late by twenty minutes, and I grind a hole through my teeth so I don’t pass out from the pain, but we finally park while Carmine paces in front of the building.
Dragging my purse into my lap, I dig out some Tylenol that will hopefully help me get through the evening.
“It’s Mr. Carmine!” Kylie cheers as she unstraps and stands up between the front seats before helping Emma unbuckle.
“Should we go home?” Joey asks as he opens my door from the outside. The girls remain in the back until I’m on my feet.
“Nope. You guys deserve a fun-filled evening. I’ll rest when we get home.” Forcing a smile on my face, he gives me the same look he does when he knows I’m not being completely honest. But he doesn’t push, and I’m grateful.
“Noa.” Carmine’s growl from behind me lights up all the parts of my body that pine for him. “What’s wrong?” The heat of his hand on my back soothes so much that my knees nearly give out.
“Just some soreness. I’m fine.” The lie slips out easily.
Too bad he reads through it.