Maybe This Time

Chapter Two: Smile

It was noon and Bette walked to the school gate to pick her daughter up. She already sew Jolene standing there, waiting for her, looking a bit scared and unsure if her mother would show up. Not that Bette would ever let her daughter stand there alone but the little girl was just not used to all of this. Jolene finally saw her mother and they smiled at each other. Bette walked over to Jolene, who immediately gave her a big hug.

“How was your first day at school, doll? Did you have fun?” Bette asked.

“Yes, played with kids and Miss Tina is really sweet.” Jolene explained.

“Oh, is that the teacher that was so nice this morning?” Bette asked, really wanting to know the answer.

Jolene nodded. “Yes. She is funny.” She added.

“Are you ready to go watch a movie? You can tell me all about your first day on the way over there.” Bette said.

“Okay.” Jolene answered.

Bette held her hand out for the little girl to take and they began walking to the car, Jolene happily talking. Then, they heard someone call: “Jolene! Jolene! You forgot something!”

They turned around and Tina was jogging to them with a pink pencil bag in her hand. She arrived and smiled at mother and daughter.

“You forgot this.” She smiled at Jolene and then gave it to her.

“Oh, sorry.” Jolene reacted.

“Give it to me, baby girl. I’ll put it in your backpack.” Bette said. Jolene handed it to her mother and Bette opened her purple backpack and put the bag in there before zipping it close again.

“Thanks.” Bette said to the teacher who smiled a friendly and warm smile at her.

“It’s no problem. See you tomorrow, Jolene. Bye, Ms. Porter.” Tina said and turned around.

“Hey, you can call me Bette.” Bette said. Tina looked over her shoulder.

“Only if you call me Tina.” And with one last smile, that made Bette shiver, she walked back to the school gate. Bette had a silly grin on her face and practically in trance when Jolene snapped her out of her dreamy state by pulling her hand.

“Let’s go, mommy.” She said.