My Turn

Chapter 7

        Arriving at the preschool with a couple minutes to spare, Johanna brought Gabriel with her to wait in the hallways for the class to dismiss the kids. Parents were already crowding the halls, eagerly waiting for their child to run to their arms and tell them about their day. Johanna's heart clenched with a deep longing for parental love and care. She shook her head of the inevitable and focused solely on Aimee and how much she deserves all that and much more. She hoped that she was enough for her. She hoped that she was enough to fill up the missing parent figures in her life. Enough to support, care, and love each and every part of her precious little sister. But along with hope comes with fear. Fear of not being enough, not being needed, not being wanted. Fear of not being loved back, of rejection and being thrown out once more. Fear not only for her sister not needing her anymore, but fear for being left all alone.

        Johanna's hopes and fears did not only limit to Aimee. It branched out to each person she has grown attached to. Even with her not-so-ideal parents. While they toss her around and paint bruises on her skin, she still had hope that they will become the parents her and Aimee need in their life. But with them, her fears become a reality. No love was being shared, no care. Johanna and Aimee were only tools in getting the title of loving parents that scored them a promotion in a family company. Oh how much she wished for it to not be true. Johanna's guard was built up once she came upon realization that their adoption was only a part of their scheme. Now the only difference between the Price residence and the orphanage was a proper roof over their head and were sent to school to not embarrass those who know of John and Susan Price. Food was provided, given that she was to cook and do all of the chores around the house. Johanna took the hits for the both of them, that hasn't changed from the orphanage. However, even with resentment against her legal guardians, there will always be hope that, after years of abuse and negligence, hasn't died out. 

        The bell rang interrupting her thoughts. Her glossy eyes blinked to clear her vision, looking out for a bouncing, pig-tailed, brunette. She must have scanned farther than Aimee was actually at because small arms squeezed her legs as she tried to climb up her body. Monkey noises were shared between Aimee and her classmates. Johanna reached down and scooped Aimee in her arms. Aimee reached her pudgy finger to Johanna's hair and started picking at them, pretending to eat the tiny non-existent bugs in her hair. Johanna seized her movements for a while, gently grasping both of her hands with one of hers and exaggeratedly smacked her lips on them making her burst out in giggles. She let go of her hands but this time she wrapped her arms around her and nuzzled in the crook of her neck. 

        "How was school my little monkey?" Johanna asked.

        Aimee started whooping like a monkey but couldn't keep it up without ending up in fits of laughter. "Well, we read a story about monkeys today! Everyone was a monkey and we played in the jungle." 

        "That sounds like so much fun! Is my little monkey hungry? Because I think I have a banana for you," Johanna teased. A huge smile broke out on Aimee's face as she started whooping excitedly.

        Johanna turned towards Gabriel as he leaned against the wall watching the two sisters interact. He was smiling softly and approached them. "This must be Princess Aimee. It's an honor to meet you, Princess." He bowed with one arm placed behind his back and the other across his front. 

         Aimee wiggled out of Johanna's arms and curtsied. "I'm the Monkey Princess today. But its nice to meet you too."

        "Ams, this is Gabriel. He used to live with me at the orphanage, a brother and a great friend of mine." 

        She scanned Gabriel, mentally inspecting him. Once deemed worthy, Aimee reached her arms up for her to be picked up. Gabriel saw this and placed her on top of his shoulders. She gasped in surprise from the height, but enjoyed it nonetheless. He held on to her legs as she gently tangled her fingers in his hair. Gabriel walked ahead towards the car with Aimee talking animatedly with him. Sighing a breath of relief, Johanna followed behind them watching them talk as if they knew each other for years.