No Shame (Book 2 - No Regrets)

Chapter Fifty Six - Falling Down

KATIE'S POV

"Mollie, it will hurt if you keep moving." I say firmly as I resume working to brush out a thick-tangle from Mollie's hair. Dominick picked up both a closing and opening shift at the grocery store he works at part-time. This isn't anything new. Though Dominick's pride prevents him from admitting, or even hinting at, the fact, it is clear that he's struggling; and with more than mere finances. Summer has not spared my niece nor him any more than it has spared me. Dominick works full-time hours at a part-time job, picking up any shift he can.

Usually when Dominick picks up a late or early shift, Tyde would go over the apartment and stay with Mollie. However, she is out-of-town this week due to a family emergency.

Clearly her father's daughter, Mollie won't say if anything is bothering her. After the breakup, after Tyde moved out, and after Dominick started working, Mollie started to lock her words away. It's not complete mutism, she still speaks but she is not the lively chatterbox she once was. I overheard Dominick telling the parents that the specialist Mollie is seeing recommends that we not force her to talk. We can try and encourage her to use her words; but if she chooses not to speak, we shouldn't force her and merely work to establish alternative ways to communicate.

"Are you excited to go to see your friends today?" I ask. Mollie's daycare is holding a little open-house event this afternoon; and since Mollie is moving up to a new room in a couple weeks, Dominick and Tyde want her to meet her new teachers.

Mollie answers with a thumbs up. I start working to pull her hair into a high ponytail. "You might even make some new friends." I say to her. "That will be nice." Mollie doesn't respond this time, not with a word or a gesture.

~~~~~~

Mom, Mollie, and I walk down a hallway of  Sunny-Fisher Children's Center. Each room has a colorful laminated small sign stating the room's age group and the names of the teachers in charge of the room. Under the laminated piece of paper with a list of the children assigned to the room for the upcoming fall-schedule. Mollie's room, the four to five year old room, smells strongly of hand-sanitizer and vanilla.

  A woman cheerfully greets the three of us at the door, she is dressed in a white and rainbow polka-dotted skirt with a lavender blouse. "My name is Ms. Parker and my co-teacher," she points with two fingers toward a man talking to a small group of adults gathered in the center of the room, "is Mr. Brukner." Mr. Brukner is dressed in brown khakis and a navy blue shirt. He must overhear Ms. Parker or feel Mom and I looking at him because he looks over and gives a friendly wave.

  Mom introduces herself as Mollie's grandmother and briefly explains the current situation with Dominick working and Tyde out of town. "This is my daughter, Katie, and this," she places a hand on top of Mollie's head, "is the little star of the show, Miss. Mollie."

"Hello Miss. Mollie." Ms. Parker says, her tone energetic and cheerful. She leans down a bit and holds her hand out to Mollie.

I give Mollie's back a gentle with my knee. Mollie gives Ms. Parker a small handshake and murmurs out, "Hello."

"I am excited to have you in this class." Ms. Parker says to her. She lets go of Mollie's hand and stands up straight. "Please make yourself comfortable and help yourself to the snacks and refreshments." She says.

"Katie, why don't you take Mollie around the room. I'd like to speak to Ms. Parker for a moment." Mom says.

"Sure." I say. I take Mollie's hand, leading her to the opposite corner of the room. A couple children are gathered around the reading nook. Some are flipping through the picture books on the foam floor-mat while others are having fun sinking into the small bean-bag chairs. I recognize one red haired boy from Mollie's previous classroom. "Look Mollie, do you want to say hello to your friend?" I ask.