Steps

Chapter 1

November, 2009
The smell of fall fills the New York streets. It's a pleasant smell compared to the regular one of gasoline and sewer.

The usually busy streets, aren't as crowded as they regularly are which is good because I can't afford to waste another minute. I thought about hailing a cab but I couldn't spare a minute to do so.

I come to a halt, as I wait for my right of way to cross the crowded street. I move to the post and continuously push the button, trying to get the light to change from red to green.

I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket. I stop with the button, and reach into the pocket of my blue skinny jeans to pull out the phone.

I slide the screen to answer the call.

"Delia, are you cooking tonight or should I just order take out?" Mona shouts into the receiver. I move the phone away from my ear trying to gain back my hearing and slowly bring it back up.

"We have left overs in the fridge Mona" I say trying not to sound annoyed with her, but she isn't making it easy.

"Where are you anyway?" I ask finally crossing the busy street.

"Oh, yah about that, I'm sort of at home," she says quickly.

I huff and laugh at the same time. "You're at home? Mona why didn't you think to tell me this?!" I say looking down at my watch. I have five minutes before I get ANOTHER lecture from Miss.S.

"I don't know. I was going to text you but then I fell asleep on the couch and never really got to it" she says nonchalantly.

Down the rows of many buildings and shops, the daycare sign finally comes into view. I quicken my pace and break out into a jog.

"Are you running?" Mona asks before I hang up on her.

I run up the large steps and grasp the handle of the door to swing it open.

The first thing I notice when I walk in is silence.

"Shit" I mutter to myself. I move away from the entrance and down the wide, baby blue hallway filled with pictures of all the staff and children over the years.

All of the rooms are emptied of little children.

I hear a child's laugh emerge from the one of the last rooms, and a smile instantly crosses my face.

I put my hands into my back pockets and walk into the room.

The light, yellow walls instantly relax me. I look around to see that new art work that has been hung by the windows. All the little chairs have been stacked and moved over to one side of the room. I look over to the wall of cubbies and see the hall hangers and spaces are emptied except for one.

"Mama!" I hear a little voice cry. I look over and see a chubby, little boy with dirty blond hear and soft, brown eyes waddle over to me.

I take my hands out of my pockets and crouch down and extend my arms. He walks right into them and wrap his little arms around my neck.

I pick him up and walk over to the row of cubbies to retrieve his things.

"Late again are we?" I hear from the other end of the room.

"Miss.S I-"

"Delia, I am not in the mood for an excuse" she says and walks over to me.

Her dirty, blond hair with peaks of grey is pulled up in a neat low bun. Her crystal, blue eyes look tired, most likely from dealing with small children all day. Her glasses hang from a beaded chain that is delicately placed around her neck. The contrast between her baby blue shirt and beige dress pants, makes her appear younger.