The Mute Reporter

24- Present Day

Jensen Blackwell

Sam asked me if I could pick up Carter from kindergarten today, and of course I said yes.

Now it was just a simple task. Pick him up. But because this was my first time with him alone, I was definitely panicking.

I heard the school bell sound, and kids came pouring out to walk home. I know I had to pick up Carter inside because he was in a younger grade, so I pushed back my panicking aside and climbed out of the car.

I got my crutches from the back and walked inside the building, checking my phone for the tenth time just to double check for the twelfth time that I had the correct classroom number.

The door was open, so I let myself in the classroom, and a few kids were already heading out with their parents.

I spot Carter talking to two friends of his, and it's only when I move again that he peers over his friends shoulder and sees me.

"Dad!" He exclaims, and runs over to me. I bend down and manage to pick him up for a moment, resting one crutch against the wall to do so.

"Hey bud, how was school?" It came out a little forced sounding, but this was all still new and I'm trying to adjust quickly.

"Good! I drew a few pictures and Miss. T says she's going to hang them up tomorrow." Carter gives me a big smile, and I return one.

"You must be a great artist then! I hope you'll show me them someday when you can take them home."

Carter nods, and a voice cuts in on our conversation.

"Excuse me? Who are you?" I look over and see a woman about my age, or about a year younger than me. She has a teachers lanyard on around her neck.

"I'm Carters dad, I'm just picking him up."

"I've never seen you around before?" Miss T, or Lainie as written on her lanyard, looks at me skeptically.

"I've just never picked up Carter before. Sam usually does."

She relaxes at the mention of Sams name, but she continues looking me over before her eyes widen.

Oh no, she recognizes me.

"Jensen Blackwell?" Her eyes skim over me holding Carter, the brace around my knee, and my crutches.

Oh shit, this is not good. She can definitely sell out what she's seeing right now to a news station.

"I should really go." I set Carter down and grab my other crutch, and soon they're both under my arms.

"I didn't know you had a son?" She says again.

Lady, neither did I until about a month and a half ago.

I just release an awkward laugh, and scratch the back of my neck.

"I try to keep my life as private as I can."

Lainie nods, understanding what I'm trying to say.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to sell you out or anything." Her tone of voice is firm, and for some reason I felt like I could trust that.

"Thank you." I whisper, and Carter tugs at my jacket.

"Let's go! I'm hungry."

I wave goodbye to Lainie, and my mood lightens at the thought of seeing Sam again today.

———

"Put in the pumpkin!" Carter looks at me, and I just smile, scooping the pumpkin out and into the batter. I quickly mix it in the cookie batter.