❝ Infact I do! That’s what my teaching job is funding. Sadly it isn’t lively enough to stand on its own, ❞ her smile is bright as she speaks, remembering the pleasant feeling that came to her when she tried her first sweet, a clover shaped cookie from her neighbor on saint patricks day. Her parents never allowed her outside as a kid but once they did and she met the neighbor. A little old man who was baking cookies for his wife who was supposedly supposed to return that day. Though, oddly enough she never did.
Walking down the school road the building was small, and quite easy to miss when just walking past. Maybe that’s why it was so cheap a building? There was a sign up top that read the name. And inside there was just Clarabelle sitting at the counter with her feet up and and her eyes closed as she caught some z’s.
A woman approached the man with her teacher badge still on, ❝ Are you mister Dojima? I’m here to discuss the situation with your daughter. She seems to be bringing in plenty of animals rom outside into the classroom. This would be fine if it wasn’t for the fact several kids have allergies. ❞ her dress was finely ironed without a wrinkle in sight and he shirt underneath it just as much so. She was a serious woman here to talk about serious things. @cloverjellies
“O-oh,” I reply, caught off guard. “Ah—“
I clear my throat and face my daughter’s teacher. “I’d be happy to help. The school has not contacted me about this, as far as I am aware. What has she brought in? We seem to have recently acquired a dog, and I really hope it wasn’t that puppy…”
She raised her hand to try and kill his worries. Nanako hadn’t done anything too heinous but this was getting ridiculous.
❝ Well if I had taken it too the school board Nanako would have had it put on her record. I’d rather that not happen to such a good student. Expecially since it was one kitten, ❞ there was a laugh. She was never great at talking to the parents but she had to! Nanako was one of her favorite students and it would be a shame if one error got her taken off the list of Best kids in class. Speaking of the dog. ❝ She finally told you about Pochi? Thank goodness! I was afraid I’d have to be the one to tell you! ❞
She wasn’t the greatest at her job but Nanako trusted her with a secret and if there was one thing Sean couldn’t do, it was to hurt someone relying on her.
“Ah, geez!” I breathe. “It wasn’t even Pochi! My kids… They’re just bringing all these animals into the house!”
I shuffle my feet, feeling inadequate at parenting. “I’m not home enough as it is, and I’m worried that I’m not noticing all the things the kids have been doing.” I smack my forehead.
“You don’t… Happen to like animals, do you?”
Hearing him speak made her feel a bit of worry. She had been in a situation a bit like Nanako’s in her youth where she was relied upon, though Nanako had it much better.
❝ No worries, sir! I completely understand. Luckily for me my niece is already old enough to go around on her own. She used to sneak her friends into the house and they’d eat everything! Judging by the fact I haven’t heard of that happening in your home, I’d say you’re doing excellently! ❞
Speaking of her niece, Sean still had to make Clarabelle dinner. Then food for all the animals in the house, ❝ I do in fact! I have a few dogs, a sheep… one or two cats.. but I’m always willing to take more in! I’d rather take care of them myself then let them wander around! ❞
“Wow,” I mutter, impressed.
“Nanako is more mature than she should have to be,” I relate. “She’s been a big help since her mom… Passed away.” I feel myself prickle at having to talk about anything having to dow ith the hit and run.
“Unfortunately, I can’t say I’m as sympathetic towards animals. I have enough trouble just keeping my family togeher.” I really shouldn’t be saying all this, but it just keeps coming out. I suppose Nanako’s teacher should know a little more about our situation, though.
“My nephew is staying with us for the year, as well. I’m hoping Nanako will open up to him, maybe better than she does with me.”
She could feel a platonic connection. From having raised a child herself she understood where he was coming from. As unprofessional is it was she put her hands on his cheeks to force him to look her in the eye, ❝ forgive me for speaking out of turn but… You are a fine man and a fine father. Everything is going to turn out fine. Every day Nanako comes into class and she tells me about how you’re her hero. Don’t think about the past and what’s poor. You’re her hero. That is what matters. Not what happened before you became that. ❞
After realizing what she had done she removed her hands and stepped a few paces back, ❝ god this is why I shouldn’t visit parents. God I’m so sorry Dojima-sama. ❞
The poor teacher couldn’t control herself when children were involved. Especially such good kids like Nanako! Maybe she should have just taken this to the school board so she wouldn’t have done something as foolish as she’d just done! And here she was thinking her socializing was just getting better!
“Ah—“ my mouth hangs open and I can’t seem to froce words out.
I feel myself flush as I try to collect my thoughts. I’m feeling a rush of emotion at this woman’s words—I know that Nanako feels very connected to me, even if I inadvertently end up pushing her away, but it’s a little hard to hear how much faith she has in me.
I clear my throat, shifting in place. “No it’s… Alright. It’s good to hear all that, just hard to take it in when I know I could do better.” I laugh nervously.
“I’m glad that we’ve been bonding over the dog, really. It gives us an opportunity to spend more time together, on something we both seem to like.”
Sean looked away and gave a nervous laugh of her own. She made things awkward, didn’t she? ❝ Doesn’t That come with the kid? I started taking care of Clarabelle when I was still just barely old enough to take care of myself. But I did my best and she did hers to make it work and though we fight. In the end, we are both okay. And though Nanako and you may not have what you consider an ideal relationship, it’s better than not having one at all, right? And she has you when she really needs you. You’re there to do your best, and your best will always be more than good enough, ❞ she was getting emotional thinking about all the nights when she was forced to take care of a child when she herself was still one. Imagine being fresh into the world and having to take care of a child on your own in a room where time doesn’t exist? In a sense she was jealous. Dojima got to see Nanako grow up without worrying about what could happen in an instant. Though he probably did anyway.
❝ Enough with the sad single parent jams. How about you and I go to my place and have some coffee? I need to open up shop soon anyway so this one’ll be on the house! ❞ Hopefully Clarabelle wasn’t making a mess of the place already.
