Trust Me [Book 2]

Chapter 2: Spilled Milk

Chapter 2 – [July 6th]

"But why!"

Tiny cries and frustrated screams filled the inside of my car. I suspected this tantrum had more to do with missing naptime than being told no.

"Your brown hair is beautiful and I think you're too young for red hair," I tried to reason. Taylor recently dyed the tips of her hair red and now Rocky was determined to do the same.

"It's temp-rary," Rocky yelled, banging her fist against her seat.

"You have one more time to kick or punch something in this car." I had no problem pulling over to take my ruler out of the glove compartment.

"B-but but Daddy said yes."

Getting off the exit, I squeezed the steering wheel tighter. Her father always said yes. It's why Rocky couldn't handle hearing no. Even though she'd been with me for a week, she still hadn't shaken off the effects of time with her daddy.

"Listen. If you want a night popsicle, I don't want to hear anything about red hair. Also, fix your attitude."

"Whatever." She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

"Did she just?" Stunned, I spoke into the air. "Did this child really roll her eyes at me?"

I waited the three minutes it took to arrive at our destination, and then pulled out my plastic blue 12-inch ruler.

"Ms. Raquel do we have a problem." Unbuckling my seatbelt, I turned around to make eye contact.

Her emerald orbs darken as she stared back at me. This was a challenge. Too smart for her own good. I had two options: smack her and deal with a meltdown or let her off with a warning. I didn't want to take a crying child into the building with me but if I let her off with a warning she might get worse in the future.

WWGAD?

What would Gloria Anderson do?

* * *

I struggled to balance Rocky on my hip, as I entered the community college. Whenever I faced a parenting dilemma, I tried to channel my mother. Mama never hesitated to pop me but I liked to keep spanking to a minimum for only big offenses.

We compromised; one tap with the ruler then I had to drive around for twenty minutes because I knew Rocky was going to act like drama queen. She did. Mostly screaming but luckily she fell asleep.

Rocky stayed curled in my lap as I registered for classes. The advisement area was three round tables and two offices in the back. The process was pretty straightforward.

After picking my classes, I headed down the hallway following the large hanging arrows that pointed to the cashier's office. I lightly tapped the bell on the ledge. A plump lady with a Christmas sweater approached the window. The glass windows separated us, leaving only a small opening at the bottom for transactions.

"Hi, I'd like to register for classes."

Her scowl didn't move. She snatched the class schedule registration form from my fingers. Today must be stank attitude day.

"9 credits is $1455. Cash, credit or check," she croaked after inputting the registration information into the computer.

Shifting Rocky higher, my eyes bulged at that amount. "I applied for financial aid. The payment is supposed to have been sent here."

Rolling her eyes, she turned back to the computer and clicked the keys. "If you're having an issue you should call the financial aid department. This is the cashier's office. $1455 is your total for today."