CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Elisabeth.

Three months later.

Well, I'll tell you what happened in those three months.

I'm living with Jessica, she's a wonderful friend, a big sister so to speak. A counselor, I really appreciate her so much for that. These three months have not been easy for me. Call me an idiot or even stupid, but I still miss those assholes.

I really am a big idiot. I miss kisses from Mr. Thomas, the touch of Mr. Lorenzo in my body… what the fuck! It still hurts me to remember Mr Dylan's words when he called me a simple maid, because that's what I am to them.

Jessica always stays with me late at night when I have crying spells. She soothes me even though I try to convince her that she doesn't need to be with me all the time. My friend even threatened to spank me if I insisted on denying her company. She makes me laugh so much, she is indeed a great friend, I can trust her a lot.

So I think to myself that it's time to change, change my mind, change everything.

I leave handing out resumes, going after jobs non''stop. I'm not going to suffer because of those men who treated me so badly. I put my resume everywhere, kindergartens, schools, famous companies, restaurants, I even cry with fear of not getting a new job.

But, thank God, I am called to work at a day care center, Universo Infantil. The name is very cute and, as soon as I get to know the place, I almost give up on staying, because the children look more like little demons. Oh, problem children, for God's sake! They throw papers at everyone, there are scratches on the walls, even paint splatters. These kids are not normal.

Too unlucky, I'm accepted into the nursery to take care of these little brats, but the school isn't bad, it pays well and the teachers aren't that annoying, I mean, some really are, some aren't.

These kids are terrible! I ended up falling asleep and waking up to find my dyed hair and squiggles all over my face. If it wasn't for the director calming me down, I would kill these children.

Time passes and soon I manage to tame these little beasts. They don't take orders from any other teacher but me, they also hate other teachers and always try to play pranks, but I manage to stop them before the worst.

****

06:30 '' Jessica's house. '' New York '' USA.

Right now I'm making breakfast for myself and Jessica, making pancakes because I just love it.

'' Good morning. '' Jessica speaks as she enters the kitchen with her sleepy face.

'' Good morning, friend. '' I kiss your forehead. '' Do you want coffee?

'' I want to, if necessary, I'll drink all the coffee to wake me up.

I end up laughing.

“You're a very coffee addicted woman. '' I say, serving her with coffee.

“Sure, coffee is really good. '' She puts sugar and takes a huge drink. '' Ah, that's very good, I feel awake already. '' Are you going to work today? he asks, still drinking his coffee.

“You think if I didn't go to work I'd be awake?

She rolls her eyes.

'' Big.

I smile.

'' Yes, I'm going to work, unfortunately I have to go. '' I serve the pancakes to us. '' And you?

“Yes, I have two patients to see. '' Answers, already cutting the pancakes.

I had forgotten to mention that Jessica is a psychologist and earns very well.

'' Good luck. I say, also tasting my pancakes.

“You should be lucky, you have those little brats as students.

I agree with her.

“Indeed, but until at least they changed a little.

''Thank God, you always arrived with dyed hair, it was very funny. I laughed too much.

“While you were laughing, I was crying with rage.

She laughs.

“Yes, it was very funny, my friend.

I sigh and start to eat quietly, I really love pancakes, I love them so much.

“Well, let's go before we're late like yesterday. '' She says, when she finishes eating.

'' Right.

I finish breakfast and we leave the dirty dishes in the sink, we'll leave the dishes for later. I grab my bag and we leave the house, she locks the door and we go to her car.

“Are we going for another day of work?” '' Asks, starting the engine and nod.

“Yes, for another long day at work. I confirm with a small yawn as she drives.

I want to learn to drive a car, but I'm also afraid, who knows if I could run over someone or crash, so I keep to myself.

****

07:15 '' Children's Universe School. '' New York '' USA.

“We're here. '' Says, when parking the car.

“Thanks, friend, have a good day at work. I answer, opening the door.

“And you too, friend, good luck.

I smile.

'' And you too.

She waves and soon starts the engine and I head towards the entrance of the school, greeting the policeman.

“Good morning, Miss Elisa.

'' Good morning.

On the way, I end up meeting director Vanessa.

“Good morning, Elizabeth.

I smile at her.

'' Good morning, Vanessa, I already asked you to call me Elisa or Lisa. I say gently and she shrugs.

'' It's usual. '' We laughed. “But I'll try to remember that. Anyway, your students are already waiting for you.

“The demons have arrived. '' Whisper so she doesn't hear.

'' As? '' Ask without understanding.

'' Nothing, I was just talking to myself. She shakes her head. “Well, I'm going before they set the room on fire. '' I laugh at your face of amazement.

“Don't even joke about such a thing, Elisa.

I keep laughing.

Well, they really are capable of doing that, so I don't doubt it too much.

“Okay, I'll be going. '' I leave her, going to the classroom. On the way, I say a little prayer because, really, these boys are devils, I find them talking loudly and scribbling on the walls. '' The day has barely begun and you are already getting ready. “I close the door behind me.

They look at me, with those smiles that look like little angels, only they aren't.

'' Good morning, Aunt Elisa. they yell, causing me a small headache.

'' Good morning. I say, going over to the table and checking for that bag of farts because they loved leaving it there. I sit in the chair and place my purse on the table. "Did you make the drawings I asked for?" '' I inquire.

'' Yes, Aunt Elisa!

I'm going to go deaf like this.

“Children, don't yell like that, you might hurt your throats. “And my ear too.

They nod.

'' Then bring the drawings and put them on the table, because I'm going to look.

They quickly start picking up their drawings and come over to me.

'' While I'm watching, you can talk quietly, when I'm done here I'll make the call.

'' Yes, Aunt Elisa! ’ They yell again and I roll my eyes.

I start looking at the drawings, they may be little brats, but they are very smart and draw very well, that makes me happy. A few minutes pass and I sigh as I finish checking everything.

'' The drawings are beautiful, congratulations lovelies.

I get ready to take roll call and say the names, one by one.

'' Amanda?

'' Gift!

'' Aurora?

'' Gift!

“Antonio?

'' Gift!

'' Alice?

'' Here!

'' Bruno?

'' Eu!

'' Bruna?

'' Here!

'' Bianca?

'' Here!

'' Bob?

'' Gift!

And so I continue until the end.

“Well, what do you want to do?

'' Story! '' Answer together.

“Um, what story?” I ask, going over to the little books.

'' Beauty and the Beast! Bianca screams.

“Oh, not again, Aunt. It's always this story. '' Gustavo complains, sulking.

“Gustav. '' I look at him seriously. “Well, I'll read a different story this time.

“What, teacher?” Bella asks.

“Let's see. I pick up a book, reading the title. '' Me, Thou and He. '' I smile.

'' What is this story, Aunt? '' Nice question back, very interested.

'' Let's find out. Once upon a time, I, You and He lived on the same street in a small town. Each of them lived in a beautiful little house, very comfortable, overlooking the sea. The three had a good life, because they lacked nothing: they had good food, lots of toys, and a very soft bed, where they snuggled up every night and dreamed beautiful dreams.

“Even though there was nothing wrong with their lives, I, You and He felt that something was missing, but they couldn't figure out what.

On a beautiful sunny morning, each of them left their little house to go for a walk, and the three of them happened to meet by the sea. For a moment, they stared at each other, astonished, as they had never seen each other before.

So, the three, curious to know who each one of them was, started talking all at the same time, asking each other, who they were, where they lived and what were their favorite games.

After a lot of talking, laughing and joking, I, You and He finally discovered what was missing... They needed friends! They needed someone with whom they could share their affections, their conversations and games.

From then on, the I, the You and the He, became “Us”, a very united and happy group of friends!”

'' End. '' I smile.

'' Ah, aunt, tell again! '' Julia pleads.

“Yes, Aunt, again!

The children seem to sing as they call out the request. I think it's cute.

“Okay, let's get started. '' I reread, without taking the smile off my face.