Seeing Evan's eyes were getting redder and redder, I couldn't help but crouch down to face him. "Is your dad is running late for something? Don't worry. I’ll be waiting here with you!"
He sniffed, looking a bit nervous. His gaze darted away from mine, and I wondered if he remembered me. After all, we had met at the mall, where he got upset when his call for his dad was stopped. He should remember that.
So, I asked tentatively, "What's your full name, Evan?"
He looked at me warily, his big eyes flashing as if he were deciding whether to answer my question. Finally, he replied with alert, "I don't know you!"
I quickly explained with a friendly smile, "Oh, Evan, I just want to tell your teacher, in case your dad is running late, so the teacher can wait with you."
He looked at me suspiciously for a long while, then reluctantly said, "My name is Evan Dawson!"
I nearly snorted. How dared he give his last name!
I held my anger, ruffling Evan's hair, and praised, "Good boy! I will go talk to the teacher now. Don't worry!"
Honest to God, I didn't bear any grudge against this kid. On the contrary, I liked him. After all, he was just a child, and he did nothing wrong.
I reached out for the little boy's hand, and he must have felt my gentleness because he had obviously let his guard down, allowing me to lead him. My heart was conflicted at that moment.
After all the first graders had left, I called over his teacher and told her about Evan's situation that his parent hadn't come to pick him up yet.
Right then, the teacher's phone rang. She excused herself to answer it, then hung up with a smile. "Alright!” Then she turned to me and said, "Thank you so much! Evan's dad got stuck in traffic. He'll be a bit late. Sorry for the trouble!"
I waved it off, then reassured Evan, "Just wait here with your teacher, Evan. Your dad will be here soon!"
He blinked his big eyes, still looking at me with a curious gaze, his little face full of conflict.
"Say thank you to this kind lady!" The teacher reminded him.
He then muttered a soft, "Thank you, ma’am!"
Just then, the second graders were let out, lining up and exiting the school gate. I turned my attention to them, looking for my son, Probert. Soon enough, Probert ran over and excitedly hugged my leg.
When his gaze fell upon Evan waiting for his dad, he paused for a moment, only for three seconds, before turning back to me, "Mom, let's go home!"
I nodded with a smile, waving at Evan. "Evan, I’m heading home. Bye!"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)