"I did not jump in front of your car, mister!" I yelled and pulled away from the strikingly handsome man in front of me, "Maybe you should try looking where you're driving next time."
A low growl escaped his lips, "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
"Do I look like I care?" I shot back, and he growled again. "Big shot or not, you have no right to talk to me like that."
His eyes darkened, " The world is a small place, woman. We will meet again and when we do, I will not spare you." Big Shot glared at me one last time before walking back to his car.
"What a rude man." I scoffed and ran without sparing him another look.
I hated having to deal with people like him, rude rich people who think they're better than everyone just because they drive a fancy car.
I just hope I never get to see such a man ever again.
I arrived at the daycare minutes later and walked in, preparing myself for the scolding that would follow.
My boss, Mrs Foyer never passed an opportunity to humiliate me, today would be no different.
Here we go. One… two… three—
"Maddison!" The shrill voice finally came. I sighed and turned to lock eyes with the older woman making her way to me. "How dare you report to work late? Do you think this place would be running if everyone was like you?"
"Mrs Foyer, a problem came—"
"Save your stupid excuses!" She snapped, "Do you think you're the only one in the world who has got problems?"
I looked down. I knew better than to talk again. Mrs Foyer was looking for an excuse to fire me and I wasn't going to give it to her. I needed this job.
"I'm sorry, it'll not happen again."
"It better not." She sneered. "This is the last warning I'm giving you, cause any more problems here and you'll be kissing goodbye to your job." Her threat hung in the air. "Now, get your sorry self to the prep, the kids are waiting."
I nodded and hurried to the preschool section where I worked.
"Where on earth were you?" My coworker half-whispered as I walked in. I caught sight of a tall man stepping out through the other door.
"Don't even ask." I sighed and put on my apron. "I had a pretty crazy day. Who was that?"
"A parent. He brought his daughter." She pointed at one of the children, a cute little girl dressed in a short pink dress. Her black curly hair was up in a ponytail and she stood alone, clutching a pink teddy bear. "They're new in town. The father had some important work to do so he brought her here."
"Oh…" Was the only word that left my lips. This wasn't the first one visitor or the other were leaving their children at the daycare.
"Get the materials ready, it's almost time for the art class."
I nodded and went to grab some of the painting supplies from the closet. It took a while to get everything needed and I was on my way back when a squabble caught my attention.
"Give me the toy." A girl with a hand on her hips was saying.
"Pinkie is not a toy!" Another voice came. It was the little girl in pink. She looked so scared as she stood there surrounded by four other children. "And no, I will not give her to you."
"You're such a rich spoiled brat." I was surprised to hear the first girl say that. "Just give us the toy, Daddy's girl."
"Yes." A second child supported. "Give it to us and stop acting all rich."
"I will not give you my pinkie." The little girl maintained and a small smile made its way up my lips, she was a stubborn one.
My smile dropped as I saw one of the kids try to take the teddy bear away from her forcefully.
"Mindy!" I set down the box of supplies I held and marched over to them to scold them. "Is that any way to behave? That's enough, all of you. Go somewhere and play."
Once they were gone, I crouched beside the girl, "Are you okay? Did they scare you?"
She shook her head but from the tears in her eyes, I knew she must have been very scared.
"Don't pay any attention to them, okay?"
"Okay."
"I'm Maddy, what's your name?" I couldn't help but ask the cute child.
"S… Sam… Sam Ackerman."
"Sam," I repeated, "A beautiful name for a beautiful child. You are so cute." I pinched her cheek lightly and watched her smile.
Now, that looked better.
"Okay, Sam, you—"
"Maddison!" My boss yelled behind me. "What do you think you're doing?"
I got to my feet, "Mrs Foyer—"
"How dare you favor another child here? Do you think we run the place based on favorites?"
I almost gasped at her words. What on earth was she talking about?
"Mindy told me you scolded her just because she was trying to make friends with the new girl. How dare you do that? Are you trying to win the favor of the child's parent?"
"That was not what happened." I clutched my fists at her accusation. "Mindy and the other children were bullying her—"
"Children don't lie," Mrs. Foyer cut me off. "If Mindy said you did it, then you did."
"Are you seriously going to believe a six-year-old child over me?" I couldn't believe my ears. Anger bubbled in my veins and I opened my mouth to say something else but decided against it. I knew better than to drag the issue.
"First you come late and then you play favoritism here," My boss ranted, "I don't pay you to come whenever you want and play favorites. This is my last warning Maddison, return to your post, and don't you dare leave there for any reason."
I returned to my post and closed my eyes, trying my best to control my anger.
Relax Maddy, Relax… she's not worth it… they're not worth it…
I chanted on and on till finally, I felt better and continued my work. I still had to arrange the painting supplies for the kids.
A few minutes had barely passed when I heard Sam's cry again. I looked over to see the children push her, causing her to fall to the ground. They gathered round and laughed as they tried to snatch her playtoy from her.
No one paid any attention to the bullying that was happening, not even my boss.
I was also a victim of constant bullying but seeing Sam cry made something in me snap. I marched out of my work post and went straight to the children.
"What do you kids think you're doing?" I couldn't hide the disappointment in my voice. How could children this young harass another child?
"This is so bad of you, I'm going to report you all to your parents. You should be ashamed of yourselves, especially you, Mindy." I scolded and some of them started crying before they ran away.
I helped Sam up, "Are you okay? Did they hurt you—"
"Maddison!" Mrs Foyer stormed over, "How dare you disobey my orders?"
"But they were—"
"Get out."
"What?" My heart skipped a beat as she said the words that changed my life forever.
"Get out, Maddison. You are fired!"