I Don't Belong To You

Chapter 14

"To what do I owe the pleasure of a call this early?"

She puts the phone on speaker as she tucks in her shirt and buttons it into her pencil skirt.

"Did you add a song? Daisy?"

"Well good morning to you too!"

"Ha, sorry babe. Morning."

"Good morning Becky. And yes, I did...is that okay, dear?"

"Yeah, totally! I'm excited to hear it!"

"Good...great." She rolls her eyes at the image of herself blushing.

"I have to ask, what are you doing up so early?"

"Oh, I'm taking Ritchie to school today."

"Why, is Lilly alright?"

"Uh, yeah? I guess? I don't know, I just volunteered to take him."

"Well, I'm sure he's excited about that! He loves you, you know? Talks about his big sister in class and draws you art all the time."

She groans loudly and Freen has a feeling she's still in bed.

"Oh come on! We all know I only volunteered so I could have an excuse to see you but don't make me feel guilty!"

"I'm not trying to make you feel guilty! I'm just saying here really looks up to you and works really hard on that art for you so I hope you've at least hung a few of them up."

There's a silence that tells her she probably throws them away the moment Ritchie isn't looking.

"I don't doubt that he works hard but he's a little kid....his art is literally just scribbles and everyone's head is always largely disproportionate to the rest of their body."

She whispers the last part, obviously not wanting him to hear.

"You don't have to tell me that, Becky. But he took the time to make it for you, so I bet he'd really appreciate it if you hung one or two up."

"Mmm, sure sure. Anyway,"

She sighs, knowing that's the end of that discussion.

"Anyway, I've gotta get going, but I'll see you in a bit?"

"You definitely will."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye," Becky says softly before disconnecting.

She looks at herself in the mirror, taking extra care to make sure she looks good now.

She breathes deeply and then reaches for her purse, most excited to start her day off with Becky.

She sees Becky and Ritchie before they see her.

She's holding his left hand with her right and his backpack in the other hand, nodding at whatever he's rambling happily about

It reminds her of her dream from two nights ago, as if she really needs a reminder. She can't stop thinking about it.

She stares until they are right in front of her on the playground.

"Hi Ms. Chankimha!"

He waves up at her cheerfully and she smiles back softly at him with a fondness she admits she doesn't possess for any of her other students.

"Hi sweetheart!"

"Bec Bec brought me to school today!"

She smiles up at Becky, who is staring back down at him with sweet smile of her own.