“At home, silly, with me! We’ll just wait for Mac and then take the car uptown.”
Up top, in Dr. Broker’s usual spot, stood Mary Margaret, hands behind her back, staring out stoically as each guardian collected her charge. The latest update they’d received was that Dr. Broker was still in the hospital, alive but “incapacitated.” The board had already commenced the search for a new headmaster. Everyone felt bad for Dr. Broker, but he was now tainted goods. Some people were saying that he had been sleeping with one of the moms, perhaps even Sofia Perez herself. She was a cheater, after all.
The turnout at Atherton this afternoon had the feel of the first day of drop-off—instead of nannies, it was nearly all moms, and even the working ones like Clara had made time for pickup. Gabby was there herself for that reason, to take the temperature of the school after the disaster of last weekend. Were people thinking of pulling their kids out? Applying elsewhere for next year? She and Ava had discussed it privately. While Gabby was open to sending her kids to a school uptown—that’s where she lived, and it might be nice to not have to schlep all the way down every morning—Ava was thinking of using this as an opportunity to switch to public school. Unfortunately, it really did seem like BaoFuku was headed for lights-out, and the Leo-Chungs wouldn’t be able to afford the two private school tuitions without that money coming in. Gabby had the crazy impulse to offer to help Ava with her cash flow situation but then remembered herself before saying anything stupid or insulting. Ava wasn’t her family, as much as she sometimes felt like she was. But it would be such a shame not to have the kids together, and not to get to see her all the time.
“Mom, look,” said Sully, pointing up to the entrance. Lucia and Carlos Perez were standing with Mary Margaret, appearing a littlelost as they searched the crowd for their nanny. The entire group was staring at them, the children of the woman who’d been run out of town for possibly trying to kill them all.
Then, as if conjured, Sofia appeared before them, waltzing into pickup as if nothing had happened, as if twenty people hadn’t been transported from her party to the ER after eating a South American dessert she’d made by hand. She was in a floral sundress that skimmed her body tastefully, and wearing striking red lipstick and smiling, her teeth looking particularly white. The crowd parted for her as it had on the first day of school, watching in awe as she strode to the front with confidence.
“Hola,hola,” Sofia said to them, nearly singing the words. “Hola.” Sofia blew a kiss to her children, and they ran down the steps to her, snuggling into her arms with relief. She took each by the hand and then headed directly for Belle, Morgan, and Frost, the three of them standing in a triangle formation, like a flock of well-dressed birds.
Gabby dragged Sully and Howie closer to the encounter, so she could get a good view. Ava did the same with her girls.
“Ladies, long time no see,” said Sofia sweetly. No one responded. “I want to make sure you all plan to come to my Atherton Altruist ceremony. I set it for Friday! Mary Margaret is helping me organize it, as Dr. Broker is, well, you all know about Dr. Broker.” Gabby couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She was loving it. What a pair of balls on that woman.
“We will be there,” said Morgan finally, Belle and Frost standing silent, with their mouths hanging open. “Amazing!”
WhatsApp Chat
Atherton Lower School Moms
94 Participants
Dre Finlay
Hiya, Atherton chicas! A couple quick announcements. Spring after-school activities end next week, so remember to adjust your pickup times accordingly.
Secondly, please come out on Friday to celebrate Sofia Perez at her Atherton Altruist ceremony! Details are as follows: Friday, June 4, 4:00 p.m., at Atherton’s own auditorium. See you all there!
Armena Justice
Hi all! Does anyone have a recommendation for a private piano teacher for summer break? Ours moved back to Russia. Thank you!
Caroline Press
Yes, I do, Armena, I’ll text it to you.
Jennifer Smyth
A quick thought: Should we start a GoFundMe for Dr. Broker?
Dre Finlay
I’ve been in touch with the board, and Atherton is covering all of Dr. Broker’s medical bills and then some. But, as head of the PA, that gives me an idea. I’d love to help coordinate a gift for Dr. Broker, something that will brighten his day. If anyone has ideas of what to include, please ping the group!
Caroline Press
My company would happily provide Dr. Broker a bound copy of all of the school portraits; that way he can still “see” the students while he recovers.
Dre Finlay
Lovely idea, Caroline! And so generous.
Genevieve Thomas
We could buy him a summer sweater, something from Loro Piana?
Lauren Hilderson