Beyond The Broken Glass3: Finally Mended [complete]

27. The First Day

"Smile," I told them as I aimed the camera at them one last time. "Milani—your hair is fine."

I was more nervous than they were. I wanted them to be okay with being without me for a few hours, but now I see it's reversed. I need to be able to survive without them for a few hours. But can you blame me? For the last two and half years, my life has centered around them. Feeding them, dressing them, combing their hair, and doing school activities with them. I've lived for them and now I'm sending them away to school and I want them to be okay.

"Can we go now?" He whined as he adjusted the collar of his emerald green blazer. When we got the news that they had been accepted they were overwhelmed with excitement. I don't even think Kyson went to bed last night. He just kept staring at his uniform.

"Fine." I sighed as I put the camera down. "I'm gonna miss you."

"It's only for a few hours mom you'll be okay." He tried to convince me as he grabbed his book bag. "Hug?"

"Hug."

They both jetted into my arms and I squeezed them as tightly as I could. I got down to their eye level.

"You have to look out for each other. Alright?" I looked between both of them. "Don't let anyone pick on your sibling. And be nice to the people that deserve it, Kyson that goes for you."

"Yes, mom."

"I'm serious," I told them as I kissed them both on the cheek. "I put our phone numbers on your book bags. If something happens you know to call me or dad."

"What about uncle Drew?" He inquired as he looked at me strangely.

"I put his number in there too." I sighed as I struggled but eventually managed to get upright again. "Ready?"

The schoolyard was crawling with kids. Black, white, Asian, Latino. On my last visit, it was during class time so I didn't get to view the students. But seeing it so diverse made me nervous. I mean—I'm happy it's diverse but I was worried about how my children would be able to relate.

I got out of the car and helped him out and then I reached for Mimi who snatched away before I could even get ahold of her hand.

"No school mommy!" She cried and shook her head. "No school!"

"Mimi we talked about this," I said nervously as I glanced back at the people standing by the stairs. Kyson looked out of place as he waited for us. "Come on it's time for school!"

"Nooo!" She screamed at the top of her lungs as her legs went flailing around. "No school!"

I squatted down and pulled out my phone.

"Let's call dada. Okay?"

"Dada?" She mumbled as she leaned forward. Her face was now blotched with redness and tears. I dialed his number and waited for an answer and when his face appeared on the screen I handed the phone over to her.

"Dada take me home?"

"I told you I'll come get you later."

"No. I go home now." She sniffed and wiped her face. "Dada take Mimi home."

"You gone have fun at school."

"No. I want dada. You—get me?"

"Yeah. I'm coming right now. But you gotta go with mommy."

"Kay." She chuckled up and smiled and giggled. He hung the phone quickly. "Come mommy. Dada come get me."

She took my hand and climbed out of the car. I wiped her tears away with my thumb and then kissed her cheek. She's going to be devastated when he doesn't show up in the next ten minutes.