We got released early hours of today after Amelia was found sleeping in an alley. Poor girl. But that was the consequence of not listening to me. I hurried home to find Benita awake sitting by the window.
"Baby, what are you doing awake?" I asked as I closed the door quietly.
She ran and embraced me, "I have been waiting up all night for you. I was so worried. Are you okay?"
I crouched to hold her tight, "Baby, you should not have. You need your rest. Staying up all night isn't good for a growing child like you."
"But Mummy, how can I sleep when you are not here? You are all I have got," she mumbled into my shoulders.
"Promise me baby, that this would not repeat again. Even if I am not there present with you physically, my heart will always be with you. Promise me."
"I promise, Mummy. Promise me Mummy, that you will never leave me. That you would always be present physically. I do not want anything happening to you."
I was silent. I could not promise her that when I had already made arrangements to drop her off at the Foster Home today after my interview. I was at a loss on what to say.
"Mummy?" she untangled from the hug and wiped at my eyes. I did not even know I was crying. "Mummy, did I say something that hurt you? I am sorry."
I shook my head vigorously. None of this was her fault. "No baby. I will always love you, always. Do not ever forget that."
"I love you too, Mummy," she said and I lifted her up to bed. "Come on, you need your beauty sleep now."
She giggled and snuggled me. Soon she was asleep but I was awake.
∆∆∆∆∆∆
I held her hand as we walked to an ice cream shop. Wanted to treat my daughter a bit before I let her go, hopefully for a while.
"Hey there," the ice cream said.
"Heyo," Benita greeted, all smiles.
"Oh. She is a cute one," the ice cream man complimented.
"Thank you," Benita replied and I smiled.
"Strawberry flavor, please," I said and paid up.
"Here you go," he handed me the ice cream cone.
As I turned to walk away, I bumped into a man. The ice cream smeared his suit and my face because I rammed my face into his broad chest.
"Oh. I am so sorry," I apologized and got out my handkerchief to wipe away the mess on his suit.
"Why don't you watch where you are going?" He demanded.
"I am sorry. I did not know you were right behind me." The ice cream on my face fell on my shirt.
"This would not do," the man said impatiently and shoved my hands away.
Why was he being so rude? I apologized. I looked up to his face and I was awestruck. Holy God. Why was he so good looking? Was he an angel? I was still as he stormed away with a deep frown. It was Benita's pulling on my trouser that snapped me out of my reverie.
"Oh uh. Sorry baby," I said. "Your ice cream is ruined and I do not have the money to get you another one."
"It is okay," the ice cream man said. "Here is another one for the trouble. People should really learn to control their temper. I mean, you apologized."
"That man was rude," Benita said as she collected the cone this time.
"Thank you so much. I am sorry if this would cost you anything," I said.
"It is alright. Do not want to spoil the child's day," he smiled.
"Thank you," I said again and pulled Benita along. I used my handkerchief to work on my face a bit and walked into a cafe's restroom to work on it better.
Next thing I know, I was headed for my interview. I got to the school building and met the receptionist, who showed me the waiting room where people like me were sitted. I joined the group and made Benita sit on my lap. After an hour or so, I was called in. I told Benita to sit still and wait while I got interviewed.
I went into the room and stood even when there was an available chair. The board of interviewers, consisting a two men and a woman replied my greetings and told me to sit. I sat with my legs pressed together.
"Now, what is your name and what job are you applying for?" The woman began.
I cleared my throat a bit and started, "I am Victoria Williams and I would love to be given the opportunity to work as the dance tutor of this great school."
The man in red suit nodded. I guessed I was making a head way.
"Your CV does not show a college certificate. Why do you think you should be chosen among the rest who does?" The man in blue suit asked.
"Well, there are some things that are not learnt in college. Dancing has been my in born gift and I know that I could make a great impact on students here."
The woman smiled but frowned when she looked at a file, "It says here that you are an ex convict for murder. That is really intense."
My heart rate quickened and my palms began to sweat. "That was a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?" The blue suited man asked.
That did not come out right. "I have changed." Wait, was I bad before? What am I saying?
"Okay?" The man in red spoke.
"That was in my past. I want to make things right in my life and this, I think, should be my first step," I said.
The woman nodded again, slowly this time. "Okay. That should be all for now. We will contact you later."
"Thank you," I said as I stood up. "Have a nice day."
I hope that went well.
I got to where I had left Benita but did not find her. What is with kids these days and heeding to instructions? I groaned inwardly and began asking around. The school was silent and the hallways were deserted as students were still in class. Where could she have wandered off to now? I found her at the cafeteria, ogling at the food on display.
"Baby, come on let us go," I said and smiled at the servers who were staring at us weirdly.
"Mummy, when can I eat those?" Benita whispered.
As soon as I dropped you off at the Foster Home, I thought in my head.
"Soon my love, soon." I said out loud.
As we turned a corner, I bumped into someone, again. Looking up, I recognized the man from this morning. He was frowning.
"What is with you and not looking?" he demanded.
"I do not know. Maybe you are always in the way," I replied and walked away.
Next stop, Sunshine Foster Home.