Chapter Five

I could not ask for more

Sonya got down on her knees in front of Angelica. She straightened Angelica’s socks, first the left one then the right one, making sure they were as neat as they could possibly be. It was the final touch on the little girl. And then, when she was finally pleased that both socks were smoothly and perfectly aligned under the new uniform skirt, she pulled back to sit against her heels.

Sonya smiled as she looked at her little girl in front of her. “You’re so pretty Little One.”

“Am not.”

“Yeah you are.” 

Sonya tried not to smile at a mopey Angelica but could hardly help it as Angelica’s sad pout only grew. She found herself trying to overlook the dread on Angelica’s face, and she pointlessly smoothed Angelica’s little skirt then straightened Angelica’s crisp little white shirt.

Sonya looked at her handy work again, this time from bottom to top – the shiny new black shoes, the knee-high grey and white diamond patterned socks, the crisp new grey and white uniform – all were just right, and to crown it all, her hair was brushed back into a neatly flowing ponytail – the little Porter was a picture of perfection.

“I don’t wanna go Sonya.”

Sonya’s proud smile dropped at the sound of Angelica’s whine. “You have to go Little One. Everybody has to go to school. You’ll love it and you’re going to learn so many many things.”

“But I don’t wanna learn many things. I don’t wanna go. Can’t you ask my Mom not to let me go Sonya?”

“I can’t Sweetheart. Your Momma is downstairs waiting to take you.”

 “Why can’t I go to my same school?”

“Ayyy. Angie?” Sonya lowly sighed. “I don’t know.”

Angelica’s face sulked further with sadness and Sonya looked at the little girl and finally accepting that there was nothing more she needed to do toward getting Angelica dressed and ready for the big day, the housekeeper straightened her legs under her with an effortful move to push herself up from the floor.

She stood up and looked down at Angelica and Angelica stared up at her nanny, her eyes pleading for understanding or anything from Sonya and Sonya saw the perfect little face looked like a frightened and scared little deer.