Same Mistakes [Sequel to max and me]

19. Joshua Davis

Meg held each of her feet out to me, so I could slide the boot onto her foot. Once the boots were laced up, I opened the front door. Megan immediately stood up, and ran down to the elevator. I smiled, following her. I pulled the front door shut, quickly locking it.

"Wait for me," I said to my daughter, though she can't hear me. She grinned, pressing the elevator button. "Stand over here with Mumma, just in case some people come out of the elevator," I said, putting a hand on Megan's shoulder and nudging her to move out of the way.

I wonder what Ms. Jennings has to say...

*

I weaved my way through the scattered students that filled the halls, trying to find Ms. Jennings' classroom. I tightly held Megan's non-deformed hand, not wanting her to get sucked into the hustle and bustle of elementary school children.

"Here we are," I mumbled, finding Ms. Jennings' room. I pulled the door open, not bothering to knock. Once Megan and I were inside, I closed the door behind us. "Hi Danielle," Said Ms. Jennings, smiling and standing up at her desk, "Good morning."

"Hello," I replied, smiling. "Come right in," Ms. Jennings said, sitting back down. "Meg," I said, bending down next to my daughter. "You can go and play," I said, pointing towards the corner full of toys. Megan smiled, understanding. She ran over to a bin of dress-up clothes.

I stood up again, and began sliding off my sweater. "Feel free to take a seat," Said Ms. Jennings, motioning to the wooden chair in front of her desk. I nodded, putting my sweater and purse down beside the chair before sitting. Ms. Jennings dug around in her desk, while my eyes wandered around the classroom.

A big alphabet was stretched across one wall. I remember seeing that when I first brought Max and Madison to school. Last time I was here, the room was emptier. Now, all available wall-space was covered with pictures and paintings from the children.

The cute little child-sized tables and carpets, had stains from purple paint, and what looked like juice? I guess it just adds character to the room. My eyes began scanning the paintings and drawings on the wall, specifically for Max or Madison's names.

I smiled when I found a picture of three children. The tallest boy had blonde hair, the middle girl had brown hair, and the smallest girl had brown hair. Then Max signed his name at the bottom with red crayon. My son sure is adorable. My eyes continued wandering, not able to find anything of Madison's.

"Okay, I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here, Danielle," Said Ms. Jennings, placing an upside-down paper on her desk. I nodded. "Well, your daughter- Madison, um, during art class this morning, she drew something a little too spectacular for a kindergartener." Ms. Jennings rambled, peeking at her upside-down paper.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, eyebrows furrowing, "How can something be too spectacular for a kindergartener?" I asked, confused.

"Well, look at this," Said Ms. Jennings, holding the paper out to me. I snatched it from her hand, turning it over to see the picture. My eyes immediately widened and my jaw dropped. "Do you know why Madison would have this image in her mind?" Asked Ms. Jennings, sounding concerned.

Ms. Jennings was completely right. This drawing is crazy spectacular. "Um, no..." I trailed off, before realizing what Madison had written on the bottom of the paper. It read MOMMY in large letters. I let out a deep breath, feeling trapped. "Why would Madison draw this?" Ms. Jennings rephrased.

My wide eyes flickered at the drawing. The drawing was of me. Of me last night, when I cried in the corner. Madison's detail was on-point. She drew my exact outfit. She drew the bruised fruits on the ground around me. The broken glass, scattered against the hard-wood flooring.