Maria took off her shoes and rubbed her feet, “My feet hurt.”
Michael brought the bag of food to the small living room and began plating it. One of the reasons Maria loved waitressing was taking home the leftovers, it gave her one less thing to do at the end of a long day.
Michael sat next to the table, struggling to twist the spaghetti on his fork, “They would hurt less if you didn’t wear high shoes all day.”
“It’s the uniform, kiddo. Would you like some juice?” Maria got up and limped to the fridge. She needed to start walking barefoot during lunch hour, give her feet a break, or she won’t have any toes left a year into the job.
“Hmm.” his mouth full. He took a pinch of garlic bread and stuffed it in his already full mouth.
She placed his drink down then picked up a napkin and tucked it in his collar, “Slow down or you’ll choke.”
“Mama, when do I start school?” he looked up at Maria, his face covered in tomato sauce. Maria loved seeing him like that, he looked so sweet.
She ruffled his hair and sat on the couch behind him, “What, you already bored with me?”
“No offense mama, but I need to hang out with kids my own age.” he put another fork full of spaghetti in his mouth.
Maria laughed, but he did have a point. There was only three weeks left until school officially started and she had no idea where to take him. Jane had made some suggestions, but Maria wasn’t sure she could afford it. The other option was to take him to a private school, but she wasn’t sure about that either, Ricky might just walk in and walk out with Michael, and she wasn’t willing to take that chance. She’d have to look for a less expensive private school, of course with tight security. She’d also have to give both their real names, it was about time they stopped lying about that. It had been two months and Ricky hadn’t come after them, according to Edna he was nowhere near New York.
“I’ll think of something, in the meantime someone’s turning five in October,” She picked him up and cradled him against her, “You’ve grown so fast.”
“Mama, I’m not done eating,” Michael pulled out of her embrace and went back to his food, “Grandma is coming for my birthday, she said she’s bringing someone.”
“Who? Jane?” Maria would love to see her best friend.
She wanted to see a friendly faced Jane and take a break from the surly one. New York Jane really pulled off the fake smile. The first time they met Maria thought she was pleasant, but she turned out to be a failed actress who complained day in, and day out. A fake producer had gotten her to sleep with him so that she could land a part in a movie. In the end, she was left with a baby and no movie. She had resented him for that, but the good thing was, she didn’t resent Julie, she says she is the only good thing that came out of her acting dream.
Michael gave up trying to twist the spaghetti and began spooning and holding it with his fingers so that it won’t slip off the fork, “No, a man.”
Maria thought of all the men her mother knew, but she couldn’t come up with anyone who her mother would risk him knowing their hide out. She highly doubted it was Miguel, why would he turn up now after twenty years, the only reasonable person was Nate, and he probably wants to make sure they were doing fine.
***
Dave had the locks changed early that morning. He wanted to make sure Amy didn’t get into the house. He placed all her things in suitcases and bags and placed them in the garage. He wanted to leave them in the middle of the street, but if she sued him she would only get more money out of him, which he didn’t intend on giving. It was time one of her lovers took care of her expenses. He hadn’t intended on leaving the house that day, but he ended up driving to the cafe opposite his office building. Paula’s secretive nature pulled at him. It was like one of his impossible cases, and he loved a challenge. Deciphering her would be a challenge he knew he would like. He wasn’t after starting a relationship with her, but a friendship with a fellow over protective parent, and the woman who made his food and coffee. He really should get to know her.
He pulled into his parking spot and took Elizabeth out of her car seat. If it got too awkward he could always say Lizzy wanted to see her. He looked at his watch, it was midday. He thought of popping into the office for a few minutes, but decided against it. If he went in, he would most definitely get roped into a case on his day off; instead he would go to the day care and pick up Miguel.
He had done his homework on Paula and Miguel, but there wasn’t much he could get about them, apart from her work place and his day care. He found hundreds of Michaels, but he narrowed his search to the west because of her accent, and the list was cut down to thirty one, but they were Caucasian, these Michaels only existed once they set foot in New York, and there was nothing else before that, that’s what spiked his curiosity about them. The first thing he thought was that they were illegal immigrants, but Paula’s accent was western, not heavily, but it was noticeable, probably because of the months they had already spent in New York. Dave was determined to know more about them.
He opened the colourful doors to the day care centre and stepped in. A stoutly nurse approached him and extended her arms for Elizabeth, “I’m not dropping off, rather I’m picking up.” he said with a smile.
The nurse looked at him questionably, “I thought you had only one child?”
“I do, but I’m picking up my friend’s kid for lunch.” Dave lied. He hated explaining himself to people, but if he was going to take Miguel, he needed to come up with an excuse. He was glad the kids were well taken care of, maybe now he would be more relaxed when he left Elizabeth here. She raised an eyebrow and stared at him, not saying a word. Dave thought he had been caught in a lie, but Miguel came to his rescue.
“Dave are you leaving Izzy?” he stretched his hands out for Elizabeth and she bent down for them, “Give her to me, I’ll watch her.”
“No, we are going to your mom’s place for lunch.” Dave put her down, but Miguel insisted on carrying her. He looked like he would fall over, but he kept steady on his feet. It disturbed Dave how the boy had grown attached to his daughter, and how Elizabeth was so willing to go to him. She usually didn’t like strangers no matter the height. He was even more surprised he found her serene and calm with Paula the day before.
“You want Miguel?” the nurse asked.
“Yes.” Dave answered her, leaning down to put a secure hand on Michael’s back.
She shrugged, “They were going out for lunch anyway. You could save Paula sometime and take them.”
“Them?” Dave didn’t know she had more than one kid.
“Julie is Jane’s daughter,” Miguel answered him, shifting Elizabeth to his other hip, “Julie lets go.” He yelled. A blonde girl turned her head and came running towards them.
“Our moms are going to be mad if we break out again.” she said in a squeaky voice.
“Break out?” Dave asked amused.
“We aren’t breaking out. Dave is taking us.” he turned and walked out of the room, Julie behind him. Dave stood there, not sure exactly what to make of Miguel, he had completely taken charge of the situation. He looked like the type kids younger than him would look up to, and follow his every word, probably why Julie and Izzy—his new pet name for his daughter—were so at ease with him.