Mama's Boy

♊12♌

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Kolina was waiting outside of the school's entrance, where the students were usually picked up at. Standing inside the school, watching over her at the glass doors, was her teacher, Mrs. Puller, though she allowed her students to call her Miss P. The kids always got a good chuckle out of it.

It wasn't in her job description to make sure that the each kid got home safely. But because of the type of woman she was, Puller would stay as long as needed to make sure that her kids were safe. She'd even give them a ride home if it were necessary.

Puller was an old widow with a deep love for children, whether they were her own or not. She had given birth to only three kids but, if asked, she'd tell you she'd had hundreds. All her students were treated like her own, with the exception of disciplinary actions. She couldn't whoop other people's children and wouldn't have, even if she could. Puller knew she'd kill anyone who felt brave enough to lay a hand on any of her boys, although they were beyond old enough to defend themselves now. She knew other parents felt the same way. Atleast, the good parents did.

Even after all her years if teaching, she was still amazed by how trifling some parents could be. She couldn't count on her fingers how many times a mother has come up to the school wearing clothing that looked just as expensive as it truly was, while her child was dressed in what could pass as rags. Or mothers with weave worth a month's worth of rent while their child's hair was nappy. Some parents just failed to realize that their child represented them. Puller honored parents that gave their last to make sure that their child had everything they needed. Good parenting was something to be cherished.

Puller's love for children also made her anxious. She was constantly fretting over a child's safety. She was sure that her husband, when he was alive, had gotten tired of all the complaining and fussing she did about kids he didn't know. Mr. Puller, though he had loved and adored his sons with every fiber of his being, had only tolerated children. He had never completely understood his wife's feeling towards the little rascals that terrorized her workplace. He had never understood why she would would work herself to death for the nuisances. However, she did, faithfully every year, taking days off for emergencies only. He had supported her anyway.

Puller was smiling at the thought of her deceased husband when a car pulled up in front of the school building. She saw Kolina gather her backpack and lunch box before standing up. Puller walked out, ready to greet the person.

Knox stepped from the car and walked up to the entrance.

"Hey, Koco," he greeted his sister. His eyes met with an older woman and they widened in delight.

"Hi. I'm Kolina's teacher." The woman said.

Knox smiled. "I know who you are. How you doin', Miss P? I don't know if you remember me, but I had you when I was younger." He chuckled. "I can't believe you still work here."

Puller frowned as if she were trying to remember him. She looked at Kolina then back at him and suddenly gasped. Placing her hands on her cheeks, Puller smiled as tears of joy formed in her.

"I think I do! Was it Kenneth? No, no! Uh— it was something with a K-"

He smiled and shook his head. "Knox, ma'am."

"Knox?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Oh my god!" She spread her arms and Knox sailed into her embrace. She smelt like pencil shavings and an old wise woman. Knox was nostalgic. "It's so good seeing you!"

After a tight hug, she leaned back and held him at an arm's length to study him. Wiping a tear with the back of her hand, she grinned up at him. "Oh, look at you! Just as handsome as you wanna be. Mmm-hmm! Yes, you are. And I see you've gotten tall too. Real tall. You were such a short little thing back then and so hyper. But so smart. What are up to now, boy?"