We Are Us

Chapter 2

A month later, school is still going great. Meryl's class has only gotten better with time. She has really grown close to Kamri since she is only 1 of 4 kids that she has in both her morning and afternoon classes. She still sees Maks every day, more consistently just at pick up but lately both drop off and pick up.

Kendal still teases her about Maks who seems to always come early and stands at the gate to talk to them. Kendal usually finds a reason to walk away so it's just Meryl and Maks talking.

"Kendal, I'm going to go out and get the kids."

"Say hi to Maks for me" she teases.

"He won't be there."

"How do you know?"

She wanted to say because she doesn't feel the heat she usually does when he drops off but she doesn't want to get into that. She wants to keep that to herself. She hasn't even told Jenna, who she tells everything. She just shakes her head and heads out the door.

She starts getting kids out and leading them to the door where they let themselves into the classroom. As she is getting Caleb out, she starts to feel that heat that she knows so well now. She looks up to see Maks' car pulling into the line.

"Caleb, say bye to Mom" Meryl says trying to block out the heat.

"Bye Momma" Caleb says with a smile and they head towards the door.

As Meryl gets closer and closer to his car, Meryl feels more and more nervous. It's not that he makes her nervous. It's that she is nervous about what she'll say or do around him.

When she gets up to his car at last, the last car in line thankfully, she sees worry on Maks' face. She gives him a smile that he barely returns. She opens the door to his SUV and sees Kamri crying.

"Aw, Kamri. What's wrong? Mondays aren't that bad are they?" Meryl says as she unbuckles her. As soon as she is unbuckled, Kamri flings herself into Meryl's arms, burring her head against her neck. "Tough morning?" she says making eye contact with Maks, seeing his eyes watering as well.

"Um, yea. You could say that."

"Don't worry. We'll take great care of her."

"Thank you Mer... I mean Miss Davis. Kamri, YA lyublyu tebya. Uvidimsya. (I love you. I'll see you later."

"YA khochu , chtoby moya mama!"

Meryl closes the door, giving Maks another smile. This time a sympathetic smile. She rubs Kamri's back as she turns and heads inside.

"You're alright Kamri. We are going to have a great day today. I promise."

"Miss Davis?"

"Yes Kamri?"

"I love you."

"Thank you love. I love you too" Meryl says squeezing her tighter before putting her down when they get inside the classroom.

~

Each morning that week had been the same for Kamri, she always came in crying, only wanting Meryl. She always said "YA khochu , chtoby moya mama!" Maks always looked stressed and worried when he dropped her off and picked her up. Meryl is hoping for all of their sakes that this morning, Friday morning, would break the pattern. When she goes out, they are the last in line again. She can see Maks' face from here and can tell her wish hadn't come true. When she finally gets to their car, Maks looks like he is about to break.

"She has had a really tough morning. If she doesn't settle, call me and I'll come back and get her. I have a meeting later but I can move it if I need to."