Chapter Thirty Six
Maria ran her hand down the navy blue dress Dave bought her the day before. It was a short sleeved, cotton dress that reached above the knee with a thin black belt which she matched with black pumps and a black purse. She had very little make up on and held her hair back with several pins, but let her back hair hang loose, she wanted to look sophisticated but not well beyond her years. She wanted to make a good impression on Michael’s teachers at his new private school. She didn’t want to come off as a ‘simple maid’ as Amy had called her. Dave expressed how much he liked how simple and uncomplicated she was, but he still took her shopping, buying her designer clothes and jewellery. She was shocked how a dress could cost the same as three months rent.
Dave opened the door and helped her out of his new BMW, it was white and very flashy and it suited his stature as a top notch lawyer very well. Maria looked at him and smiled, “You are very loyal to the brand.”
Dave smiled back as he opened the back door for Michael and Izzy, “Loyalty is a strong trait.” he lowered himself to Michael’s level, “Are you ready big guy?”
“I think you should be asking mama that.” He said with a laugh, pointing to Maria’s worried face.
Maria was scared to leave her son alone. Dave had promised her he would be safe, but that didn’t make her any less anxious, “I’ll be fine.” Maria leaned down and straightened his uniform. He looked cute in his shorts and high socks, his jacket with the school crest on its pocket, and his tie. He looked like he was going to work rather than to school.
“Mama, you are fussing again.” He reached up and kissed her nose, took Izzy’s hand and walked to the huge building.
Maria watched him, her anxiety building up. Dave pulled her to him and kissed her lightly on her lips, she had allowed that much the night before and he wasn’t going to miss a chance doing it again.
“Dave.” Maria whispered as she looked away from him shyly. She had fun that night, talking and exploring more of the city. They had forgotten about work and the kids for a while, concentrating only on them. It was the first real connection she had made with a man and she liked it. She initiated the kiss and was glad he hadn’t pushed for anything more.
Dave took her hand and led her into the building, “He’ll be fine, and don’t worry too much.”
“Maybe I should just home school him.”
“That’s just separation anxiety talking. He’s going to school, not the slaughter house.”
“We’ll see if you are so cool and collected when Izzy starts school.” she looked around the bold coloured building in amazement, “Are you sure this is a prep school and not a varsity?”
“Considering the fee we are paying, it better be up to varsity standards.” Dave walked to the reception and greeted the plump woman with a smile, “I’d like to see the principal please.”
“One moment.” she responded with a smile before she disappeared behind a glass door.
“Dave, my son better not turn out to be a snooty brat.”
“What’s wrong with being a snooty brat, I was one once.”
“You were lucky enough to turn out the way you did, but Amy, not so much.” She turned and looked at Michael and Izzy staring at the tall cupboard full of trophies.
“Excuse me sir, the principal will see you now.” The lady spoke quietly, emerging from another door.
Dave kissed Maria on the forehead before he followed the lady, “Stay here and smother him some more before his new snooty friends tell him how embarrassing it is.”
Maria stuck her tongue out at him then moved to stand behind the children. She wondered what the principal’s reaction would be when Dave told him the truth. They had agreed on using their true information to make things simpler for Michael in school. Michael was fine with it, he was glad they weren’t hiding anymore and they were finally going to be normal, but Maria knew better. She needed to talk to Edna again, to make sure Ricky was still in Mississippi and nowhere near New York. If she was going to play, normal she needed to have all her corners covered.
“Maria.” she turned to Dave’s voice. A tall old man was standing next to him, his jacket matched Michael’s, it was truly a rich kids’ school, “This is principal Roberts.”
“Hello.” Roberts said stiffly stretching his hand out.
Maria stepped forward to shake his hand, already thinking of all the trouble Michael was going to get into if the whole faculty was as stiff as him, “Hello, this is Michael and Izzy,” pointing towards them.
Michael stepped forward, dragging Izzy with him, “Principal Roberts.” he said seriously. Maria looked down at him, amused at how similar he had sounded like Dave when he was working.
“Hello young Greer.” impressed, shaking Michael’s little hand.
Maria looked up at him, then at Dave with a shocked look on her face. Dave smiled at her, amused by her reaction. He did tell her he was going to tell him the truth, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t twist it a little.
“And is Izzy short for Isabel or Elizabeth?”
“Elizabeth.” Michael answered excitedly. Maria was sure it was because he had been referred to as young Greer.
“They both look remarkably like the both of you.” Roberts spoke, turning to a stunned Maria and an amused Dave, “Well it’s time for us to go. Say goodbye to your parents and your sister, young man.”
Michael quickly hugged Izzy then waved at Maria and Dave, “Bye mama, bye dad.” Then he turned to follow Roberts.
Maria blinked a few times, unsure she had heard Michael correctly, “Wait a minute, where’s my hug and kiss?” she asked quietly.
Michael ran back and hugged and kissed her, then did the same with Dave before he ran after his new principal. Izzy ran after him, but Dave caught her before she got far, “You still have a long way before you join him.” He took Maria’s hand.
She pulled it out of his hold and stared holes into him, “What happened to telling the truth?”
Dave took her hand back and pulled her forward, “I did tell the truth, and I just added my name to his, just in case.”
“In case of what?” Maria asked, steamed.
“In case someone who’s not supposed to comes looking for him here. You and I are the only ones allowed to pick him up from school.” Dave felt her stiffen beside him. He was correct in assuming there was still a threat to her, “And besides, maybe in the future his name really will be Greer.” He added on a lighter tone.
Maria took Izzy from him and put her in her car seat before she got into the passenger side, “Don’t hold your breath, and please don’t encourage Michael, he needs to keep his feet stuck on reality.”
Dave started the car and drove out of the parking lot, “We need to talk about that particular reality.”