Life

Episode 9

A month after Scarlett resumed in Sunnydale as preschoolers class teacher and counselor, she had gotten to know her colleagues and her kid’s names by heart and showed each one of them equal affection hereby making the kids more compatible with her method of teaching. After school, she spent time with the slow learners and since their parents knew about it, they had no problem with it most especially when she did it out of her extra time. She wasn’t being paid for it.
But there was one child she was having difficulty reaching and she’d been his data to help out in her spare time if she could and she knew she would.

His name was Gavin Riley.

And she’d tried so much to get him acquainted with his playmates and his environment but he loved his solace. He could sit for hours shading boxes and not look up in class and during break time he stayed on the swing refusing to play with anybody.
With the little knowledge she had in psychology, she knew if she could reach within him, and bring him out of his shell, he would do brilliantly and stop drawing on his paper and also reply her whenever she asked him a question.
One of her colleagues with strawberry blonde hair and green eyes disrupted her thoughts
“Miss Ruby.’’ He greeted with a wide but shy smile and Scarlett didn’t take long to know the young man had a crush on her. Ever since she stepped into the school, the man hardly stayed away from her class all in the pretense of ‘just checking up’ on her. she tried not to encourage his visits but He was a persistent man and the vulnerable side of her didn’t want him to feel bad by chasing him completely away.
‘’Mr. Chase.’’ She tried to smile and at the same time placed her fingers on the table for display so that he would be reminded of her status.
She was very much engaged.
‘’you look beautiful.’’ He praised.
“thank you Mr. Chase.’’
‘’and how are your kids doing? Improving I hope’’
“yes, they are by God’s grace.’’
“and that kid Gavin, I heard Mrs Lawrence talking about how slow he is to adapt to others and he might need special attention. She also mentioned getting in touch with his guardian.’’
Scarlett felt irritated that a married woman like Mrs Lawrence didn’t mind her business and that of her classroom kids. Gavin didn’t have a disability. He was fine the way he was and just needed loads of care and attention which was somehow lacking at home.

“Mrs Lawrence hasn’t made any complaint to me.’’ she replied briefly and stood up to adjust her lesson note for the next class. Just as she was about speaking further, a child’s cry rang through her class right from the playing ground and she rushed to the window to see what the whole fuss was about.

She gasped when she saw Gavin crying on the floor with dirt all over his hair and feet. It was obvious he had been bullied and some mischievous kids had thrown sand on him.
She ignored Mr. Chase standing close to her and rushed outside where he sat crying and she didn’t think twice before scooping her into her arms.

“it’s okay sweetheart, it’s alright. You’ll be fine.’’ She whisphered and kept rocking him while looking at the other kids that stood watching her.

“which one of you did this to him?’’ she was angry.
The young girl that stood by shook her head but mouthed. ‘’I only tried playing with him but he wouldn’t say anything. And then Jimmy Brick came and pushed him on the floor. His friends started making fun of him and poured sand on him.’’
Her English wasn’t well pronounced but she could grasp enough of what she was saying
She ignored the other kids and took him to the sick bay where the nurse attended to his wounds. Later in the afternoon, she went to pick him and try to cheer him up.
“hi.’’
He was curled up on the bed and managed a soft reply. ‘’hi’’
That was a little progress, she thought to herself and came to settle beside him while using her fingers to push back his tousled black hair.

He was a beautiful kid and though he tried proving tough, she could see right through him that he was so soft and vulnerable.
Infact, he could break easily. Probably one of the reasons why he was unhappy.
“You okay?’’
He nodded and looked into her eyes then. At that moment, she fell in love with the child.
“I bought you some goodies. I’ll give it to you once we leave this place.’’
“okay.’’
“you ready to go home?’’
He wiped his eyes and nodded finally sitting up. she took that opportunity to get his socks and shoes and soon, he was on his feet.

Scarlett thought of getting in touch with his father or guardian and have a good chat with them both. This child needed so much more than attention and she hoped he wasn’t having ADHD issues that could worsen his case.
She took him by the hand and led him out of the room while briefly thanking the nurse. Other kids had gone home at that time and she picked out a nylon from her bag which contained smarties and a coloring comic book.

She saw his eyes brighten and thanked God once more.
“thank you.’’ he mumbled
Just then, his aunt strolled inside to pick him.
“hiya cowboy.’’
He turned and ran towards her, jumping on her in the process.
“Hello Mrs Riley.’’
“Call me Demi please. I’m his aunt.’’
“it’s a pleasure to meet you Demi.’’ She extended her hand towards the woman and she received it warmly in return. ‘’You must be Gavin’s new teacher. I haven’t set eyes on you before.’’
“Yes. I’m Scarlett Ruby by the way.’’
“nice to meet you Scarlett.’’
“well, I would love to see you privately about Gavin and I don’t know when that will be possible.’’
“Anytime is suitable for me. it’s just that I would love for his father to be present too, if that’s okay by you.’’
“sure, that will be perfect.’’
“but if you don’t mind my asking, is everything alright with Gavin? Did something go wrong?’’
“not really, it’s just that at this stage of his life when he’s meant to be alert socially , emotionally and mentally, he’s not which I know He can even be better than where he is presently. He’s a good kid with so much promise but His father has a lot to do by playing his role appropriately.’’
“okay.’’
“what about Gavin’s mum?’’
“she wont be back in a long time.’’ Demi scoffed. ‘’I just decided to stop by and help out in every possible way that I can.’’
“I’m sorry.’’
“oh don’t be.’’ She beamed and further asked. ‘’so, when will be a good time to let his father come over to see you so that you two can talk?’’
“probably next week Friday, or if I can get a number to keep in touch to serve as a reminder if his father is that busy.’’
“no problem.’’ Demi called out Josh’s number and Scarlett punched the number into her cell and saved it immediately hoping that the man would be reasonable enough to come over.

“thank you Miss Ruby. I wont forget to inform him.’’
“thank you too.’’
Gavin looked up at her with his soulful eyes and waved when his aunt led him away. ‘’Goodbye Miss Ruby.’’
“See you tomorrow Gavin’’
It was after they were gone she finally collapsed into her chair. The whole day had been so exhausting.
But she was glad for one thing. The boy had opened a doorway for her to come in. and if God would help her, she wouldn’t mind introducing him to Jesus too.

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“you’re beautiful.’’ Gabe greeted when Scarlett came to settle opposite him in the restaurant he had chosen to have dinner.
“thank you.’’ She smiled when he stood up to plant a kiss on her cheeks and held her hands tenderly. She had chosen to wear something nice for their second evening together and so she chose a sleeveless red gown with pearls and a nice pair of pumps and Sue had been nice enough to make her hair for her
“you like this place?’’ he asked. ‘’I know it might not be too fancy but..’’
She hushed him. ‘’I think it’s great.’’
“I love you.’’
Her heart melted. ‘’I love you too.’’
“you look radiant today, mind sharing?’’
“oh its nothing really. It’s just my kids in school. When I get across to one, even if its just one child I can break his walls, I feel encouraged and inspired.’’
“its no wonder you wanna have a large family.’’ His eyes flickered and she smiled sadly. ‘’Its not only me in this Gabe, it’s us.’’
“I know.’’ He released her hand and picked up his menu card
Scarlett’s heart dropped. She hated when conversations like this came up but there was no way they could keep having superficial conversation when it came to having a family of their own.
It was what she’d dreamed of over and over again and if she couldn’t, they would adopt and she wouldn’t stop visiting the orphanage even after she had her own family.
Tonight, she wanted to enjoy herself and most importantly, make Gabe happy and so she changed the conversation.
“how was work today?’’

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“I’m ashamed of you Josh!’’ Demi yelled at him after he returned to the house late with his tie hanging loosely on his neck and his breath smelling of champagne.

He was ashamed of himself but tried to retain his pride by not showing it and strolled off to his study.
Demi followed behind him talking about Gavin, school work, preparation for camp and so many things he found hard to absorb all at once since his head felt heavy.
Jasmine Crane had succeeded in getting him half-drunk although he’d prepared himself against it.
He was glad he didn’t spend the night at her place or he’d end up feeling worse than he felt presently.
He had a child for goodness sake and he was a father, a lousy one in fact.
It was as if Demi read his mind. ‘’you’re one lousy father Josh! First of all, you fail to spend time with your son, you cancel out on him, you don’t even try doing homework with him and you’re not even present to wish him goodnight or even tell him bedtime stories. That boy has been doing poorly in school work and his teachers complain but you engross yourself so much in work that you refuse to acknowledge the fact that your son needs a father.’’
He closed his eyes and raked his hands through his hair the full realization of what he was doing dawning on him.
He was neglecting Gavin, his only son that Ashley had for him before she had dumped him and the boy and he hated himself for it.
“Demi, I’m sorry.’’
“save it for Gavin tomorrow.’’ She snapped. ‘’and by the way, Gavin has a new class teacher and she said she had to see you on Gavin’s case. It happens that the boy isn’t only doing poorly in school but He’s being bullied.’’
She stormed out of his study and b@nged the door behind her.
And all he could do was cover his face in his hands and cry.
He was going to make it up to his son. He just hoped it wasn’t too late.

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“hey kiddo.’’ He greeted when he strolled into the kitchen and tousled his son’s hair.
“Dad stop!’’ He yelped. ‘’Aunt Demi took time to comb my hair Dad and all you can do is ruin it.’’
There was a palpable silence in the kitchen after his statement and Demi couldn’t interfere as usual. Her nephew was getting what He deserved
“I’m sorry.’’ He apologized and tapped his cheeks. ‘’so what’s for breakfast?’’
Gavin ignored him and kept coloring something on the kitchen table while His father sorted his breakfast out with his aunt.
“what did I tell you about eating and not letting anything else disrupt your attention?’’ Josh queried when he noticed how serious his son sat down to pay attention to the awkward comic.

“that was like a year ago?’’ his voice dripped with sarcasm and he didn’t look up at his father
Josh bit his lip and snatched the book from underneath his pencil so as to see what occupied his son’s time.
His eyes widened when he saw what it was.
“who’s been filling your head with religious nonsense?’’
“it’s just a comic Dad, not a bible.’’
Josh glanced at Demi and she looked away. If she was the one teaching her son about stuffs like this then he would have to talk some sense into the both of them.
“eat your food and get ready for school.’’ He picked the magazine and flipped through the pages wondering what the whole TOPZ meant.

Demi gave him the eye and he sighed. ‘’I’ll be taking you to school today.’’
“I follow the bus.’’
“and I said I’ll be taking you to school today.’’ He emphasized and downed his mug of coffee. At least, he would drop him off and head to work from there.
When they finally got to school, Gavin unlocked his seat belt and was about stepping out when Josh held him back. “I’m sorry about this morning.’’
Gavin shrugged nonchalantly.
“look..’’ he turned off the ignition and looked into his son’s eyes. He had his mother’s eyes. ‘’I wanna make it up to you. I know I haven’t been a good father to you and so I wanna promise you I’ll be there for you always.’’
Gavin was quiet this time.
‘’so, I’ll come pick you up today after school, okay?’’
“what about Aunt Demi?’’
“we’re giving her the day off. And before we get to the house, we could stop by and get ourselves a bowl of Rocky road ice-cream and those muffins you love so much.’’
Gavin hesitated before speaking. ‘’I wont be able to make it. I have an after class with my Class teacher.’’

“since when did you start staying back for extra classes?’’
He didn’t reply.
“and is this by school’s demand?’’
He lied and nodded. ‘’yes.’’
“and how come you didn’t mention it to me?’’
“aunt Demi knew about it and she didn’t mind. In fact she thought it might help and it did.’’
He nodded slowly trying to digest the whole news at once but still a little suspicious about his whole extra class thing.
“okay, have a great day at school.’’
He slammed the door and hurried off into the school building. He watched him walk up to a slim woman who welcomed him easily and placed her hand on his shoulder while leading him into the building.
He looked closely and thought her stride was familiar.
She turned and looked across with a smile. The distance between them was great so he couldn’t see her face clearly when she waved, on full realization that He was the boy’s father.
And she turned and walked away with his son.
There was just something about that woman that nudged at him. She looked familiar, too familiar in fact.