Chasing Pavements

The Guardian

"I've told you all 100 times already I'm her guardian. I've been her guardian since she was two years old. What is so hard for you all to understand."  Stef said to Frankie's school Principal as she was trying to get the girls paperwork straight along with her medical records. "I make all decisions regarding her including your choice to leave her back which I still don't get. She's a good kid so you need to explain this to me."

"I understand Miss Foster. I really do but we need the paperwork again stating you are her legal guardian. Or we need her father...

"I have already explained the situation in terms of her father. Many times to you and this school. If you can find him sure but I haven't seen him in at least a year and that should not even be an option. Do you not understand that I have all rights to her, every single right to her? Huh? I showed you all that paper work last year when I registered her. Nothing has changed I'm still her mother and her guardian. Unless you know something I don't." The blonde said growing aggravated as Frankie sat outside the office coloring not hearing any of the conversation. Of course the young six year old knew Stef was not her birth mother but she loved the woman to death and always had especially since she was really the only mother she knew.

"No we don't. But we need it. In order to...

"Yes, yes, yes. You said it a million times. Legally her guardian. I've been that since she was a toddler. Get it? Since then I've made every choice concerning her health, her schooling everything." And it was true for when Stef started to date Frankie's father when the little girl was only a baby much like Lena he left her in the blondes care. Frankie's birth mother, Evette, was not an option for the woman was down right crazy and half the time on drugs. When Evette did have custody ages ago on more than one occasion it had been a nightmare for Frankie would always come back with horrible diaper rashes and dirty clothing. Even now from time to time the woman would come banging on her door begging to see Frankie or even begging Stef for money. Never would she let her in and a few times she called her friend Mike to make her ass leave. " I will bring what I have again, ok? But no way in gods name are you leaving my little girl back. That much I know." She said now standing up irritated beyond belief as the school Principal let out a sigh.

"Listen we know the situation. We do and we understand at times it must be hard for Frankie. But Miss Foster her grades are very poor for first grade, she barely hands in her work and she has been absent quit a bit.  Or if she does come, many times she falls asleep in class. That is very concerning to all of us."

"Are you trying to suggest that I don't take care of her? Is that what I'm hearing?"

"No, I never said such a thing. Not at all but if a teacher is concerned and comes to me about it I need to address it. And I wanted to address it with you."

Stef was annoyed more than anything right now. Extremely for yes there were times Frankie didn't want to go to school so she didn't make her. Yes, there were often times the girl was late  but  not because Stef was neglectful. It was for many reasons some being the anxiety Frankie suffered from going to school, or the nightmares she was plagued with at times that could keep her up many times at night that Stef still had a hard time getting the girl to talk about. Occasionally and unfortunately the blonde had to take Frankie to work with her at night at the bar she sometimes worked at for extra money. Was that ideal. Hell no and it wasn't something she could really tell this woman.

"Look, I love that little girl. More than myself and I would never do anything to jeopardize her life or her schooling. Nothing. She has a hard time sometimes at night and in the morning about school so I do what I can. I mean unless you plan on sending over a counselor to her then let me try to do my job as her mother and help her the best I can.  Yes sometimes she's tired so I let her stay home, yes sometimes she's unfocused but she's not dumb. What kind of damm tests does a first grader take anyway that they need to be judged so damm hard? MM? You are in no way leaving my girl back because if that's the case I'll yank her out right now and send her to another school. You aren't the only damm school in this neighborhood."

"We are the one in your school district Miss Foster and...

"Fuck you and your school district. You aren't leaving my kid back. And you try to send some type of CPS to my home, well I wouldn't ok? I love that kid and just like all the other single mothers in this school I'm trying the best I can."

"No one is going to take Frankie from you and I know you are trying and I know circumstances are not always ideal. Listen, Frankie is not a dumb kid. That I know. But you have to try to keep her attendance up and make sure she does her work and isn't late. I mean is that at all possible?"

Glancing out the window in her ripped jeans and teeshirt Stef looked back at the woman letting out a sigh.

"I'm not a bad mother."

"I know that. And I know it's difficult sometimes keeping up with everything. Frankie speaks very highly of you and what you are doing is commendable. Listen, we might be getting approved for an after school program. It's still in the talking stage but it's looking good especially if they pass the budget."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning she could stay after school and have a teacher or an older student help her with her homework. It will be for kids whose parents work late and there are many of them. It could also mean an early morning program where we serve breakfast if that is something you would be interested in as well."

"Yeah um sure."

"Look I am here to help, not to make your life harder or Frankie's. Don't worry about the paperwork and we will see what we can do about moving her to second grade. We just didn't want her fall behind more and not know what is going on. That's the real issue."

"I understand." Stef said letting out a sigh once again.

"We are here to help. Just know that."

"Yeah thanks. I appreciate it."

"Anytime Miss Foster. And for the record you are doing well with her and your son Jude. They are both nice kids."

"Thanks that's nice to hear."

Gathering her bag and exiting the Principals office Stef found her daughter in the hall coloring as she knelt down next to her seat and the girl looked at her with big eyes.

"Am I in trouble mommy?"

"No baby. Not at all. Just adult things we had to talk about. Wanna go grab pizza and chat?" Stef asked smiling at the sweet girl as Frankie returned it.

"Ok! Can I get pepperoni!"

"But of course sweetness."

"Yay!"

 Happily jumping up and down Frankie grabbed the woman's hand as the two walked down the hall. However, as they made their way out the building Lena was walking in with her two kids recognizing her neighbor instantly as Stef did as well knowing the woman didn't like her. She didn't care the feeling was mutual as she let out a mild laugh and headed to her car. Lena could only roll her eyes for that woman made her nuts. Her and her ten million issues and loud mouth.