Monday's Child

Michael woke up eleven minutes before his alarm, and twelve minutes before his mom would come in to make sure he was awake. He was too excited to sleep. He lay there for a moment listening to the sounds of birds singing outside his window, their songs always made him happy. Creeping out of bed he could hear his mother in the kitchen, probably preparing his lunch for school. Wiping the sleep from his eyes he stretched and gave one last yawn. Placing his glasses gently on his freckled nose, he silently walked down the hall. He wanted to show her how grown up he was becoming. His mom would no longer need to wake him up like a little kid anymore. Standing in the kitchen doorway Michael chirped, "Good Morning."

"Well, look who is awake, it's a big day today isn't it?" Wiping her hands on a dish towel she came and knelt in front of her son. "Grade five, wow, I cannot believe it. Look how big you are."

Michael just beamed and nodded his head.

"Go on, get washed up and changed and then come back for breakfast."

He felt like his stomach wouldn't be able to hold any food down but there is no way she would let him go to school on an empty tummy. He ran off to get ready. This day was going to be great.

Victoria jumped out of bed, looking at the time. Cursing herself for forgetting to set the alarm. If the noise from the garbage trucks outside, smashing the bins up and down, didn't wake her she may have kept on sleeping. Making her late once again. She couldn't be late, not today. Sweet baby Jesus her head hurt; she shouldn’t have gone out last night.

Grabbing some clothes that had been tossed on the floor, she ran into the bathroom, no time for a shower. Splashing water on her face and hair she grabbed her hairbrush and toothpaste throwing them in her purse. 'Christ sakes, where the hell were her shoes?'

At least her computer case was still by the door where she set it after work on Friday. Glancing at her cell phone she had less then fifteen minutes to get from her apartment to her client’s office. It's possible, she could make it if the traffic lights were in her favor. 'Now where the fuck were her keys?' Victoria began throwing papers around that lay on her kitchen island. They weren't on the key hanger by the door, she never used that. She began to flip the cushions off her couch and chair. Then she remembered grabbing a snack when she got home late last night. Sure, enough they were on the fridge. Next to an unfinished glass of wine.

Victoria raced out of her apartment, slamming the door behind her. This day already sucked.

Michael placed his toothbrush back on its holder and rinsed out the sink. Making sure he placed his pajamas in the laundry hamper. Walking to his room he removed his backpack from the hanger behind his door and slung it over his shoulders. He packed everything he needed last night except his lunch. He had plenty of time, but he was eager and wanted to start heading out now. Excited, walking to school for the first time by himself.

His mother stood with him by the door, her hand placed protectively on his tiny shoulders. "You're sure you want to do this? I can still walk with you part way, then I'll let you go onto the school yard all on your own."

Shaking his head, he reached up gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. "I'm fine Mom. I know the way and you told me what to do. I'll be sure the walk signs are on and look both ways before I cross the street." Smiling with Pride he assured her, "I got this."

"Humor me, tell me once more how you will go there."

Michael and his mother practiced walking the route to his school for the last few weeks. Ever since he mentioned he wanted to walk to school on his own for the start of fifth grade.

Taking a deep breath he recited, "I walk down our street to the end of the block; it is a four way stop. I look both ways, then cross Ellery Street then continue one block. I turn right onto Bakers, walk one more block. I come to the intersection of Baker and Elm. There is a set of lights, I wait for the walk sign, cross the street and there is the school." And with that he was off, his steps had purpose, his little strides were quick.

His mother stood on the steps, then she slowly walked to the sidewalk watching her little man head off. Suppressing the temptation to sneak behind him. They always want to grow up before you are ready.

Victoria looked at her gas gauge, hoping she had enough to get to her destination. She will worry about how to pay for filling it later. Why did her clients always insist on early morning meetings? Pausing that thought, she knew they were not to blame. She just wasn't a morning person. She should have tried to reschedule the meeting. But she desperately needed the cash. Her mind wondered about all the wrong choices she made in her life. Her ex being one of them. 'Please let me get there on time.'

Weaving in and out of traffic she reached for her brush and furiously ran it through her hair. Digging around in her purse she found an elastic band to tie her hair up into a ponytail. Arriving at a red light, she opened her compartment grabbed her eyeliner and while looking into the rear-view mirror began to apply it on. The blast of a horn from behind told her the light had turned green. Stepping on the gas way to hard she shot forward and nearly rear ended the car in front. "Move it, you bought the car now drive it." She yelled, as if anyone could hear her.

Searching inside her purse for the toothpaste she squeezed some paste in her mouth swished it as best she could. Rolling down the window she spit. The driver next to her gave her a dirty look and started to say something. Victoria couldn't handle confrontation right now. She just turned up the radio. Glancing at her phone, ten minutes. 'Shit.'

Just then her cell rang. Looking at the display it was Julie. Should she answer? She had to.

"Hey Julie, I am almost there, just looking for a parking spot." She lied.

'Victoria, don't shit me. I got you this contract if you're late again my partners will drop you. Friend or not I will have to agree with them. Frankly, this is making me look bad."

"Jesus Julie, you know I've been struggling lately. I need this contract, Bill is asking fo..."

"Victoria, you have ten minutes." The phone went dead.

Banging on the wheel Victoria raced through a yellow light and turned left onto Elm Street.

Victoria hadn't felt this alone in...ever. "Hey Siri call mom Denton."

Calling mom Denton..... The phone began to ring, and ring and ring. It went to voicemail. Victoria softly hit the exit button. She was not shocked, or angry. She just felt empty inside. It has been a long time since her mother and her talked. Unavailable again.

Michael paused at the four-way stop, looked both ways and proceeded to walk. He started to whistle to himself, as exciting as this was, in truth he was missing his mom. They always talked as they walked. She would tell him stories about when she was a little girl going to school. Or they would discuss what to have for supper. Ever since his dad passed, he felt he needed to start becoming the man of the home. He helped however he could. He promised himself that he would take care of his mom. Knowing his dad would be proud of him for walking to school on his own, he stood a little straighter. But he still missed his mom, maybe tomorrow she would walk with him. He turned right onto Baker Street. He could see the set of lights on Elm up ahead, and the school. He quickened his pace.

'Bullshit, Julie owed her.' She couldn't just fire her for being late. What difference can a few minutes make. They were being unreasonable. If they knew what her ex-husband's lawyers were putting her through... Seven minutes, she can still make it. The client’s office was just past that school. She pressed a little harder on the gas. Lost in thought Victoria never bothered to notice why there was so much traffic on the street today. Normally it wasn't this busy during summer. Her stomach was in knots, she felt sick.

Glancing into the mirror she realized she didn't put on any lipstick. Bill always said she looked like a walking corpse without it. Scrounging around in her purse she found the tube and popped the lid off. Quickly running it over her lips while looking into the mirror she didn't see the speed bump ahead and hit it hard. The lipstick smeared on her face, the tube flew out of her hand and onto the floor. Instinctively she reached for it.

Michael arrived at the set of lights on Elm and Baker. He could see the school yard full of excited children. Ready for their first day of classes. The light was red, he stopped. Looking up he saw his friends Latesha and Evan, they saw him too. Standing a little taller he waved to them, they waved back and ran over to the fence to wait for him. He looked left and right, only seeing a parked van. The light was still red. He wanted so badly to run over to them. Casually telling them about his morning stroll to school. He had butterflies in his stomach. He felt excited.

Victoria's car swerved slightly as the steering wheel turned when she leaned down to retrieve her lipstick. Her eyes were focused down and not on the road. Her car was heading directly towards the back of a parked van on the side of the road. Turning sharply, she managed to veer back onto the road. Her mouth instantly went dry. Her heart pumping so hard she felt it beating in her neck. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the time glaring at her. Five minutes, less than a block to go. She sat up taking a deep breath to calm herself and sighed with relief. She was going to make it.

Michaels friends noticed he was walking alone, all by himself. They started to wave and call out to him. He couldn't hear them, there was so much noise. He waved back. The walk sign came on as the light turned green. Still waving and looking at his friends Michael stepped off the curb and onto the road. He made it.

The world slowed down as the two strangers met.

Staring at the fresh crack in her windshield. Victoria knew she wouldn't make the meeting.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my story. If you enjoyed it, please leave a heart, and help yourself to view my other writings. Should you decided to leave a tip or share the story with others, it is not expected, but always appreciated.

Jason,