Page 85 of Race to Me

I can’t help but notice the four little ones who are trailing behind us like ducklings while we walk through the doorway. Rita’s apartment floor is adorned with toys, blankets, and books. “Are these your grandchildren?” I wonder, looking around at the four zooming children.

“No, dear. I opened up a small daycare to keep myself busy while Mario is at work,” she replies with a grin. Mario, her husband of forty years, owns a small business near her home.

She guides me to a loveseat, and when I sit, my mind rolls back to all the times Mrs. Rita helped me at home and how much more unbearable that glass castle would have been without her guidance. “How did my parents take it when you left?” I wonder.

Her shoulders move up and down as she laughs to herself. “I’m not sure. I just never came back.”

I can’t help the snort that escapes me. She gets up, returning with two mugs of steaming hot coffee. Her playful, rosy cheeks don’t match the serious look on her face.

“How has it been for you?”

I shrug. “I never went back either.”

“Good for you,” she says with a nod. “I saw your new car, so at least they left you something.”

I take a long sip of the hot coffee. “It’s Kate’s mom’s car. They cut me off.”

“I’m sorry, dear.” She frowns. A little girl with curly brown hair climbs onto her lap.

“It’s better this way,” I tell her. “I’ll get a job soon and save up for my own car. At least my school is paid for.”

Her eyes widen. “Well, I could always use your help here! You can earn a little extra cash and help me manage these rugrats.” She tickles the girl on her lap, making her giggle.

I look around the room seeing two girls and two boys. “That actually sounds really nice, Mrs. Rita. Thank you!” That would really be perfect. I can see Mrs. Rita and earn some extra cash while still attending my classes.

Mrs. Rita’s face lights up. “Let’s get you acquainted then! The red-headed boy, there.” She gestures to the one reading, his face crammed between the open pages of his book. “That’s Bobby.” She then points to a little girl with long blonde hair, saying, “That’s Lucia. She’s always sleeping. The other boy, Alejandro.” She lowers her voice. “He’s the troublemaker.” This makes the girl in her lap giggle.

“And who might you be?” I ask.

“Sophie,” she replies quietly, twirling her fingers through her hair.

“Say hello to Ms. Skyler, children!”

They all turn to wave, and Lucia picks up her head and smiles with tired eyes. Mrs. Rita watches me for a moment. “It’s no pressure, dear. You can come on random days to help, and you’ll be paid in cash.”

“Thank you.” I reply with a grin.

Her eyes roam my body, and she gently lifts Sophie to set her on the floor with the other kids. “Are you hungry dear? I can whip up your favorite!” she offers, but I politely decline, not wanting to be a bother.

“Tea?” she insists.

“That would be lovely.”

∞∞∞

“Oh, goodness! We’ve sat here for hours!” Mrs. Rita laughs, looking at the time. “Get home, dear. You need to race the clouds before the storm rolls in.” She pats my shoulder. “I love you.”

I can’t help but cringe at the irony of her words. “I love you too, Mrs. Rita.”

She wraps me into a much needed, smothering hug. Her weathered palms grip my face, holding my gaze. “I’m so proud of you, Skyler. So proud.” I nearly fall into tears from the beaming light that shines in her brown eyes, but I allow only one to fall, and she wipes it away.

∞∞∞

With my fingers white-knuckled around the steering wheel, my mind tirelessly wonders how I’m going to sleep tonight with Foster out racing. Maybe I should go to make sure he’ll be okay.

Maybe not. I can’t just support this ridiculous stunt.

My tires roll to a stop in the parking lot of Grace Studios. I pulled in without thinking, and I can’t explain why I’m walking inside the front door. “Hello?” I call out, but there’s no response. The lights are off, and only a few windows let the darkening sky seep in.

---