Safe Word: Rosé

Chapter 1

Narrator- 

The tick of the clock hands bounced off the wall of the kindergarten classroom, housing fifteen children, and their two teachers. Crayons colored beyond the lines of their drawing, giggles erupted all over the classroom, as the children completed their final tasks of the day. Cara smiled and lifted her eyes from the folders she was organizing to look out onto the innocent children who found the simplest reasons to smile in this world. Her eyes flashed to the ticking clock and she soon started the mental countdown which led to the ringing of the release bell. Upon hearing the bell, the children cheered and dropped their coloring crayons. They hurried to their personal cubbies to retrieve their backpacks and lunchboxes. 

"Alright, alright, boys and girls, line up against the wall, Miss Thompson will lead you out. See you guys on Monday." Announced Mrs. Whitey, a short middle aged Caucasian woman with greying red hair, tied in a loose high bun atop her round head. 

"Have a good weekend Mrs. Whitney." The kids replied in a singsong tone, their eyes wide, their cheeks lifted with bright smiles and giggles. 

Cara looked at the kindergarteners with a loving grin, while the tiny humans lined against the wall in alphabetical order, just like she had taught them when the year began. Once the children were all line up, Cara grabbed her purse, and bid Mrs. Whitney goodbye then she led the kids out to the car rider's loop, where eager parents awaited for their children. 

After the last child had been picked up, Cara crossed into the staff parking lot and to her car. She removed the Teacher's assistant badge from around her neck, and hung it on her the handle of her rearview mirror. The she started her baby blue sedan, and exited the school grounds. Cara listened to the latest hits on the radio radio, while making way to the local grocery store. It was Friday, which meant payday, which also meant it was time to restock the fridge. 

In the grocery store, Cara entered the line where her favorite cashier was checking out customers. 

When it was Cara's turn, she placed her items on belt, then she approached the register. 

"Hello Miss Bernadette. Happy Friday." Cara greeted. 

"My, my, aren't you happy today." Bernadette, a tall full-figured woman, with dark skin and and purple gums replied. 

"Well, it is Friday. I just got paid, which means shopping spree." Cara explained, while pulling out her card, given that Bernadette was almost done scanning the items. 

"That's true," Bernadette agreed, "By the way, how's your dad? Did he retire yet?" 

"He's doing good, but he still has three more months to go. Between you and me, I can't wait until his last day. Dad's been working ever since I can remember, so this will be good for him." Cara explained, while inserting her card and entering her pin. 

"Well, just make sure you say hello for me." 

"You know, I can give you his number, and you can ask him out." Cara suggested.

"Child, have you lost your mind?" Bernadette replied, while Cara put her card away and began grabbing her bags and transferring them back to her cart. 

"I'm just saying Miss Bernadette, we're in this new age where women can actually ask a guy out now if they're interested." Cara explained, while the next customer approached the register. 

"Well I still like the idea of a man making he first move. Call me old fashioned, but that's how I like it." Bernadette admitted proudly. 

Cara smiled, then shook her head and bid Bernadette goodbye. After placing her groceries in the backseat of her car, Cara headed home. Cara entered her key in the lock, and twisted it open. She pushed the door with her foot, while all her ten digits held on to the grocery bags, as well as her purse for dear life.