TLWM: The Hate Experience

\X/ Where I Give My Best

Mr. & Mrs. Nelson,

I'm writing to inform you of the incident that just occurred. Your nanny Edna came in the school to take Ace home and he specifically said to me, "I don't know her. She's trying to steal me." This upset Edna but Ace was firm that he didn't know her. After she left, I asked him to tell me the truth and he did confess that she was his nanny but that she was "mean" to him.

I truly apologize for the inconvenience of keeping him here longer but these kids are my responsibility until they walk out those doors and my heart wouldn't let me release him to someone that made him uncomfortable.

Again, I apologize as I understand I pulled you out of work, Mr. Nelson, and I plan to speak to my staff tomorrow so I'm prepared in case of a next time and aware of the drop-off rules.

Additionally, I wanted to share this so you may take the opportunity to speak with Ace about his fibbing. I hope all is well with Edna and it's a simple case of a kid not getting what he wants from his superior. Nonetheless, I encourage you to look further into this.

Thank you,

Miss Wizzo

Prince was leaning on the back of the couch, reading the teacher's note as Raven flung a bag of questions at him. Finally, he reached the end of the letter and just handed it to her.

She read it, angry brows over her busy eyes.

"Edna called me and said Ace looked at her and said he doesn't know her. So I had to go get him."

Raven was shaking her head at the paper, snickering and making new faces of surprise. Then she looked at Prince. "This still doesn't explain why Edna was so late picking him up."

"Miscommunication. Everyone thought you were picking him up."

"I called this morning and said I changed my flight."

"Well, no one important got the memo."

"It doesn't matter. Our son was left at school past seven o'clock and you didn't once think to stop what you were doing to make sure he got home okay?"

"You already know what time it is when I'm working."

"Working on what?"

"I was in the studio."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize your music was above your son. I thought that part would rearrange naturally but guess not."

Prince had enough. He walked off. But Raven and her insults followed.

"Seriously, you need to fix your priorities! We both know you're a pro at juggling. Put the damn guitar down next time and check on my son!"

Prince was in the kitchen pouring himself a drink.

"You have nothing to say?"

He had a lot but kept it to himself. So Raven finally went upstairs.

Prince stayed with his thoughts for a good two minutes. "I thought that part would rearrange naturally," he kept hearing Raven saying. The words burned him up inside.

Needing air, he went to the back sliding doors of the dining room and stepped outside. It was still raining but coming down soft and subtle, everything opposite of the turmoil nauseating him. Raven was right. Some unliked part of him kept saying it. Raven is right. Prince always got so lost in his music that time was nothing more than numbers on a clock. But he had a child now to care for. Time had to have meaning—sometimes.