Kitten.

[7] Michael

"Michael, table three is asking for their check." One of the girls I work with told me. With the check in my hand I head to the table.

I handed them the check and said with the fakest smile I could muster say, "Thanks for coming. Come again." Before walking away. I hate this job but it pays well and I need to support Ollie and I, without the help of my parents.

"Rosa, I'm taking my break." I tell my boss and headed outside with my phone in hand. I walked to my car and sat there with the fifteen minutes I had.

Looking at my phone I had a missed call, a voicemail which belonged to that missed call, and a text message. I checked the voicemail from Oliver's school first.

Voicemail:
Mr. Clifford this is the nurse at Faregland Elementary this iregarding your son sOliver, he is sitting in the nurses office with a fever an a upset tummy, we are calling to see if you can come get him. He is not feeling well and we would like him to go home and get some rest. If you would please call us back regarding your son's state that would be much appreciated.

I ended the call and checked the text real fast. It was from Ashton.

Ashton:
Red, when are you free? I have some one for you to meet.

I called his school before anything else. It rung before a lady's voice called out, "Hello?"

"Uh, yeah, hi, I received a call from the nurse about my son Oliver Clifford." I waited for her to realize what I was talking about.

"Oh, yes, um will you be able to come get him? He was awfully sick when he came in." I thought for a moment, Rosa will let me leave early, I hope.

"Yeah, I can I will be there to get him soon."

"Okay, come to main office and get a visitor pass and sign him out then you can leave with him." I thanked her then hung up. I rushed back inside the diner and went straight to Rosa.

"I have to leave." I tell her.

"What? Why?" She questioned.

"Oliver got sick at school and I have to go pick him. I'm sorry."

"Oh, don't worry hun, just go get him. We'll be fine." She told me. I listened and grabbed my coat and left jogging to my car.

_*_*_

I pulled up to the front of the school, parked and went inside, to the main office first. I had to get a stupid pass before I could get Oliver.

"I need a visitors pass." I tell the lady at the front desk.

"Name?" She asked.

"Michael Clifford." I replied as she handed me a sheet, to sign. I did, then got my pass. I walked to the nurses office and walked in.

The nurse was walking back out of a room and noticed me. "Can I help you?" She asked.

"Um, yes, you called me earlier about my son Oliver, I'm here to pick him up." She nodded and then lead me into the room she had previously came out of.

Ollie was lying on one of the cot type thing asleep. I walked over to him and lifted him up. I didn't want to wake him if he was sick. "Daddy?" He said in my failed attempt of trying to keep him asleep.

"Shh, just go back to sleep Ollie." He rested his head in my shoulder as I turned to the nurse. She handed me his book bag, I thanked her then, walked out the door.

I carried him all the way to my car. I opened the back door and set him in his booster seat, putting his seat belt on. I put my hand in his forehead and he is burning up.