Page 22 of Mr. Principal

“You’re never in the way,”

I looked away, suddenly uncomfortable and made my way out of the office, “Don’t forget tonight’s play,” he called to me.

“Oh, crap, I’d already totally forgotten. I’m a terrible mom.”

“Nope. Just a busy one. I only remembered because Becca called the school this morning to confirm. Like bright and early this morning.”

I couldn’t help it. I was annoyed. I already had to share my daughter with Becca every other weekend courtesy of our custody order. And she spent one day a week over at their home, as well. And now Becca planned to attend school events? Great.

I wish I could be the better person and not be bothered by the fact that my ex had married so quickly, but this time last year I’d been married. It was a whirlwind of events and my emotions were everywhere.

The next dayas I made my way to work, I was still feeling out of sorts. I felt like I was living my life on auto-pilot. I totally didn’t feel like going to work, but I had to do what I had to do. That’s what Tom’s grandmother used to say. She was a sweet lady and had come a couple of times to campus to visit Tom and Piper.

As soon as I pulled up in front of Primrose, I saw Lucy outside taking a smoke break.

“Hey, you,” I said, and she gave me a little smile. Normally, Lucy was a chatterbox. Immediately, I knew something was up.

“You okay?” I asked.

She sighed. “Our new boss is being an ass.”

With a sigh of resignation, I said, “What’s going on? What did he do?”

She shook her head. “He’s just being nitpicky about everything. He’s making us clock out just to use the bathroom. And if we even go a minute over our lunch break he issues a formal write up. He said something about a point system and every violation is one point. And like after three violations you’re on probation and then most likely fired.”

“What?” I hissed. My head was whirling. “Point system. That’s crazy. What is he even talking about? And what’s this about clocking out for bathroom breaks? Patrick has a bladder issue and uses the bathroom every five minutes.”

“I know. I know. It’s so ridiculous. I’m a nervous wreck now. That’s why I’m out here smoking. And he threatened to take away our smoke breaks. And of course, we have to clock out to take one.”

I shook my head. “He’s worse than I thought he would be.”

She nodded. “Yep.” And then took a long draw on her cigarette. She quickly looked at her watch, said, “Oh crap,” and tossed the half-finished cigarette on the ground and stomped it out.

“I’m already a minute over,” She hurried past me and I followed her inside. As soon as we turned the corner, Mr. Baxter was there waiting. He had a smug look on his face.

“Your break ended two minutes ago,” he said to Lucy.

She gulped visibly and said, “I’m so sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“It was my fault,” I piped in. “I was talking to Lucy about some company policies and she took time out of her break to answer my questions. So, it’s my fault she’s late.”

“Lucy’s an adult. She’s a big girl. She can tell the time. Late is late. No excuses. I have to write you up.”

I could see that Lucy was about to tear up, and I instantly felt terrible.

“Again, I just want to mention that it was NOT her fault,” I growled. “If you want to write anyone up, then it should be me since it wasn’t her fault.”

“I don’t like your tone,” Mr. Baxter said with a snarl. “And don’t worry. I’m going to write you both up. How’s that sound?”

Before I could say a word he turned and strolled away, heading towards his office.

Lucy looked ready to cry. “I really need this job,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

“It’s just one violation, right? It’ll be fine.” I tried to sound reassuring, but I understood her plight. We were both single mothers just trying to live our lives.

She teared up then and said with half a sob, “I can barely afford to take care of my bills now. If he fires me, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

I instantly reached out to her and gave her a reassuring hug briefly before letting her go, “It’ll be okay. Don’t cry.”