Hello Again

Chapter 2

            I buzzed into the center and stopped to say hello to the front office staff, and collect my key fob so that I could get into the building on my own next time. I held Jimmy's hand as we walked down the hallway passed a few classrooms. Jimmy was tugging at my hand lightly as he began to walk a little faster than me. I stopped outside the classroom labeled "Room 2" and knelt in front of him.

"Jimmy I want to say our big goodbyes out here. I hope you have a fantastic day at school today. You're a big boy and I want you to act like it; that means using your manners and being nice to everyone, you got it?" I looked at him right in his eyes.

"Yes Mama," he nodded his head dramatically.

"Good. Now let's go meet your teacher, I hear she is a very nice lady." I smiled at him, took his hand again, and opened the door.

"Hello! How are you today? My name is Miss Bev, and I'm so excited to meet you both."

"Hello Miss Bev, I am Allison, Jimmy's mother," I smiled warmly at the woman, her warmth and kindness spread throughout the room. She bent down to Jimmy's level and began her own conversation with him.

All around the classroom there were different kinds of children, all playing with their toys, or reading books. The room had a good variety of toys puzzles, books, a dramatic play center, and lots of varying manipulatives as well as art supplies for the children. The walls were covered in children's art work, just like the hallways. But there was also a job chart, a "writing wall" that displayed the children's lettering, as well as other art pieces that displayed diversity without being overly cliché. Overall the classroom looked like a good environment for Jimmy, both for learning, and developing his other necessary skills.

A voice interrupted my observations, "if you could just sign him in on this sheet, with the time and your initials underneath them. We are just getting ready for story time so if you could excuse me I have to go put out our sit-upons out and gather my things. I hope you have a great day. I won't be here when you come to pick him up, our other teacher Miss PJ will be here." She walked away to the back of the room and began gathering her things.

I took the sheet and looked for him on there. After I signed him in I bent down and picked him up. "I will be back to pick you up later, after lunch and naptime, okay? I love you, sweetie." I gave him a kiss on the cheek and he hugged me tight. As soon as I set Jimmy down he was off to talk to a little boy wearing a TMNT tank top. Smiling, I made sure I had my keys and left the room.

On my way out I bumped into a man four inches taller than me walking with a little blonde girl who looked to be about Jimmy's age. "Oh my gosh I am so sorry!" I took a step back from the man.

"Oh no, don't worry about it. No harm no foul." He flashed brilliant white smile that contrasted against his black hair. He had gauges too.

The moment was brief; he stepped off to the side and gestured for me to go by. I did, and as I looked behind me I saw him walking into room 2. I shook off an odd off-putting feeling that I had in the pit of my stomach and headed out to my car. I was off to a session I had with a client. I was taking pictures for a young couple who had just gotten engaged. But that is not all I do, I love live action shots, especially of bands, as well as all genres of photos, mainly of people though. I drove to our local park that also had a manmade pond tucked inside the foliage; beautiful place for photographing, especially during this time of year.