Maya's Next Step

Part 101

Maya POV

"Arhhh," I said aloud, entering my office for my first day back at work.

"Not ready to be back Captain?" Andy laughed, following in behind me.

I dropped my backpack to the floor and slouched down in my chair.

"No I'm glad to be back. Trust me," I laughed.

"Then what is it?" She said, taking one of the spare seats.

"I'm just wait for a call from Elva's school," I said, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my desk.

"Didn't you just drop her off five minutes ago?" She asked.

"And her teacher told me her best friend Molly is off sick today. So I'm waiting for the meltdown," I explained.

"She'll be fine, there are other kids in her class you know," Andy pointed out sarcastically.

"I'm aware of that. What I wasn't fully aware of until yesterday was that Elva is apparently very behind with her social skills," I said frustratedly, the conversation with her teacher still playing heavily on my mind.

"Tell her teacher to come to the station and see her interact with us. That will show her she's fine, Elva's the only one willing to tell Montgomery he puts too much salt in the soup," she laughed.

I sat back up and smiled at the memory of Travis's face when Elva told him what we'd all been thinking for years.

"But she needs to be fine around kids her age," I added, sighing a little.

"She'll get there, look how far she's come in such a short space of time," Andy reassured me.

LADDER 19

AID CAR 19

STRUCTURE FIRE WEST STREET MALL

"Let's hope Miss Rowlands doesn't call now," I smirked, standing straight up and heading for the door.

Elva POV

Mommy just left to go to work. She said she was going to the station today and I could go after school.

"Good morning Elva," Miss Rowlands waved when I walked in the classroom.

I hung up my coat and looked around for Molly.

I couldn't see her anywhere.

Miss Rowlands saw me staring and came back over.

"Elva sweetie, Molly won't be in class today," she told me, crouching down in front of me.

"Why?" I asked.

"She's a little sick but she should be back by the end of the week," she said.

"Oh," I said, hoping Molly was okay.

I looked down at the floor, I felt a bit upset.

"Why don't you go sit over there?" Miss Rowlands suggested, pointing at Lewis's table.

"No," I said quickly, shaking my head.

"Miss Rowlands?" Someone called from the door.

She stood up and saw who it was.

"Ahh Elva, why don't you come with me," she said, taking hold of my hand.

I followed her to the doorway.

"This is Lola, and her mom and dad," the office lady said.

"Hi Lola, I'm Miss Rowlands. I'm so excited to have you join our class," she said with a huge smile on her face.