Crash Queens and Motor Babies

It was a cool day and the wind was blowing. I was holding Katy's hand as we walked up to her school. She was nervous and wouldn't let me go. When we were right outside of the door she froze and looked up at me, terrified.

"Come on K, don't you want to meet some new friends and play?"

She shook her head, making her black pigtails bounce,"No! I wanna stay and play with you and uncle Ray at the shop!"

I kneeled in front of her,"But I have to work and you have to go to school. I promise you you'll have fun. I heard Mr.Wentz is a really fun teacher."

She pouted a bit but I managed to get her through the door and down the hall to Room 4. When we walked in I was greeted by a man a little taller than me. He had long black hair and was wearing jeans with a plain black shirt. I think I saw a tattoo across his chest but then he cleared his throat and I looked back up at him.

"Hello! You must be Mr.Iero!" He smiled at me then looked down at Katy.

"You can just call me Frank." I added, gaining his attention.

Mr.Wentz nodded and turned back to Katy,"And you must be Katy! I like your dress."

She picked at her purple long sleeve dress. Under the dress she had on black leggings that were covered in purple polka dots. Her black boots had some mud on them.

"Thanks." She finally mumbled.

"K, why don't you go play." I told her.

She peered into the room and something caught her attention because she started to walk in. There were kids running around everywhere but her teacher stayed calm.

I stared hopelessly at Katy as she went over to some paint. I was so going to have to wash that dress tonight. Maybe I'll have to pluck paint out of her hair too. Ugh...

"Well," I said, breaking out of my thoughts. "I'll be back later... Bye Mr.Wentz."

"Just call me Pete." He smiled and closed the door.

I sighed and walked out of the school. Some parents were still dropping off their kids when I got to my car. I plopped into the drivers seat and turned on the stereo. The Misfits CD was in so I tapped to them all the way to work.

~~~~~

I walked in to see Ray crouched next to a bike."Hey Frank! Where's Katy?"

"First day of school." I said and went to kneel by him.. I inspected the bike to see what he was adding to the bike. It was the typical flame design.

"Man, how'd she take it?"

"Alright, the teacher seemed pretty cool too. I think she will be okay. I didn't say goodbye to her though- Shit! What if she thinks I left her! I should've-"

Ray shook his head,"She will be fine, your a good dad and she knows you'll never leave her."

"That's what she thought about her mom too, but she left."

It had been two years since Brooklyn left. Katy was only one and she didn't understand why her mom had left. According to Brook she 'had' to leave because she knew she would not be a good mother. Apparently I was good enough to take her place and do the job of two parents. She said Katy's life would be better without her. She was completely wrong.

Ray stood up and brushed dust off his knees,"Frank, you cannot compare this to what Brooklyn did. She chose to leave Katy, you didn't, you just dropped her off at school and forgot to say goodbye. Plus, if anything does happen, the teacher can take care of it."