To Nicky’s displeasure, no opportunity to escape arose during naptime. He was particularly upset because he was now tired and would really like to take a nap. But the lights in the room were turning on and all the other children were getting up.
“Nicky, why isn’t your backpack in your cubby?” Elise asked. She walked over to him and took his bag away. “Silly boy, I bet that’s why you didn’t fall asleep. You had your bag on the whole time!” Apparently, she had been watching him the entire time if she had noticed he didn’t fall asleep. Nicky was glad he hadn’t tried to escape.
Elise brought Nicky’s bag over to a row of cubbies by the door. As she went to put the bag in one of the cubbies, she caught sight of the phone number on the tag. Nicky broke into a cold sweat. The phone number was his ex-wife’s. Hopefully Elise didn’t call it, or worse, recognize it and ask him questions.
“All right, kids, recess!” Elise said, clapping her hands. “Line up!” Obediently, the children lined up to go outside. Nicky wished he could grab his bag, but Elise was once again keeping a close eye on him. He would just have to play along until he could get his bag and escape.
Nicky was last in line. As he exited the classroom, Elise put a hand on his shoulder. He looked up. Elise smiled at him.
“Such pretty red hair. I haven’t seen hair that color since I quit my last job,” Elise said sweetly. “The boss was a big meany.”
“That’s not fair,” Nicky managed after a moment of thought.
“You’re right, Nicky. It’s not fair. Now, go play outside. And you better not try to sneak off. The recess teacher gets very angry when little boys try to leave school,” Elise warned. Nicky merely nodded silently, then followed the rest of his new classmates. As he walked down the hall, he glanced back over his shoulder. Elise was still watching him.
Nicky couldn’t help but wonder if Elise had recognized him. After all, she was acting very oddly if she hadn’t. Then again, he didn’t know how children were spoken to. He rarely spoke to his own, and when he did, it was briefly and like speaking with a subordinate.