A/n: I actually like this...
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Bey's POV
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Monday | 3:47 PM | The Center Of Early Education | Room 214
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I glanced at the clock for what had to be the eighth time. 3:47.
The meeting was scheduled for 3:00 sharp. The last of my students were picked up at 2:45, and I'd been sitting in this small, too blue room for nearly an hour with a folder in my lap and a dozen notes scribbled in frustration.
I should've listened to the other teachers. Every single one of them told me she wasn't going to show.
"She don't do meetings."
"She didn't come to one game."
"She sent her assistant to pick up his report card last semester."
"She probably on a yacht in Dubai."
I wasn't even tripping on all that. I didn't care about who she was or what she did. All I cared about was Kaiser. His well being, his behavior, his sadness. The shift in his little spirit over the past few weeks wasn't normal. Not for him. Not for any six year old.
I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose when I heard the door creak open.
Boots. Heavy ones. Slow steps. Confident, like she owned the ground she walked on.
She walked in with her hands in her pockets, her posture relaxed like this was her house and I was in her seat. Light washed baggy jeans, white tee, and timbs. Her long curls were fresh, light brown much like Kaiser. Diamond studs in both ears. Brooklyn all over her. She grinned when our eyes met.
"Damn." She said with a low laugh. "I was picturin' some old ass teacher with bifocals and a sweater vest." Her voice was thick with a New York accent, husky and casual like she wasn't almost an hour late. "My fault. Ian mean to cuss. I'm Y/n Carter. Kaiser's mama."
I didn't stand at first. I just watched her, mostly out of curiosity. I could feel the energy off her immediately. She was powerful, that was obvious. Used to people folding for her. But I didn't care about any of that.
I stood and extended my hand. "Ms. Knowles. Kaiser's homeroom teacher."
She took it with a quick shake, her palm warm and strong.
We both sat, and I flipped open the folder in front of me. I was ready to get straight to it.
"I wanted to meet with you because I've noticed some concerning behavior from Kaiser these last few weeks."
She leaned back, spreading her legs slightly as she got comfortable, arms crossing over her chest. "He six. Probably goin' through one a' them lil boy phases. He'll chill out."
I looked up slowly. "I think it's more than a phase, Ms. Carter."
She raised an eyebrow like she wasn't expecting pushback. "You sure?"
"Yes. I've seen a real shift in him. He's withdrawn. He's not participating the same. He's snapping at other kids, and he's lost focus in class. Something is going on and I don't think anybody's paying attention."
She sucked her teeth, exhaled through her nose. "Alright. So what you tryna say? You think I'm neglectin' my kid?"
I closed the folder gently, letting my hand rest on top. "I think he misses his mother."
Her jaw flexed.
"I think something changed at home. And if I'm being honest, I think he feels your absence, even when you're physically there."
Y/n leaned forward slowly, the smirk fading, her eyes sharper now. "Let me ask you this, Ms. Knowles...this meetin', is it about my son or about me?"
I didn't blink. "It's about both."
