Page 30 of Sing it, Sam

When I leave the room almost an hour later, I walk past Mrs Jones’s room and spy the Super-Gran sticker on the door below her name. Sam wants Wonder Woman, huh?

He doesn’t know it yet, but this place will soon be filled with superheroes. I’ll get Sam out of that room.

***

Sally-Anne is at her desk chatting on her mobile when I return.Does she ever work?

“How was lunch?” Kathleen asks, a slight tease in her tone.

“Um, good,” I say quietly. “Did some reading with Sam. Actually, while I think of it, do we have a lost property box?”

“We do. Why?”

“Sam’s lost his reading glasses.”

A smirk passes over her lips. “He told you that, did he?”

“Yeah.”What’s the big deal?

“Sam doesn’t have reading glasses. I think that young man is having a lend of you.”

“But why would he lie about something like that?” I scoff.Why?

“Have a think about it, love. You’re an attractive young woman. He’s a young man …”

“Oh.” Heat rushes to my face. I cough to clear my throat.He likes me?“Um, so I have an idea for an activity which I think would be really great.”

“I’m listening.”

My brain stalls.He likes me.

Focus, Jane. Superheroes.

“Jane? Where did you go, just now?” Kathleen asks.

“Sorry, I was going to be clever and articulate my pitch to you, but … okay, I’m just going to come out and ask.”

“Please. The suspense is killing me.”

“If I wear my Wonder Woman costume, Sam will come out of his room. He’ll try with the other residents. So, I’m asking you, pretty please, can we have a superhero day so I can wear my costume to work?” I grit my teeth together trying to read her face as I anticipate a big fat no.

Her brows pull tight and she scratches at her chin. “Jane, if you think you can get Sam to become less isolated, then I’m all for it.”

“Really?” I gush. “Thank you so much! I thought I’d call Penny or Josh from the council and see if they can help me round up costumes from people who came to the fundraiser. I’m sure we can get at least a dozen or so outfits, and I’d be happy to go to the two-dollar shop in town and grab a couple of masks. My expense, of course.”

“Penny and I go way back. We went to school together. I’ll give her a call myself.” Kathleen picks up her mobile and scrolls down the screen. “When do we want them by?”

No point in wasting any time. “As soon as possible.”

Kathleen nods. “I like your sense of urgency, Jane.”

***

Sam is sleeping when I go to say goodbye to him at five. As disappointed as I am that we don’t get to chat at the end of the day, it’s probably for the best. I think I’d struggle to hide my excitement about Superhero Day. I can’t let the cat out of the bag too early. The look on his face when he sees me in costume will be worth holding my tongue for.

Butch is nowhere to be found when I get home. And I know exactly why he’s hiding. It’s as if a mini tornado has ripped through my little shack. Bits of black fluff and plastic are strewn across the kitchen floor and into the lounge room. My sausage dog has made a meal out of my slippers. Lucky for him they were a cheap pair from the corner store, so not too expensive to replace. Nevertheless, I’m far from happy.

I find Butch under my bed. “I should make a meal out of you, buddy,” I say and growl, waiving my outstretched index finger at my mischievous boy. He crawls out and looks up at me with those rusty brown eyes. My heart melts. This dog is trouble; he has his own dietician, for Pete’s sake, but I love him to bits. I’d forgive him pretty much anything. Butch is family. Particularly with Mum and Dad away.

---