Chapter 11: A Lesson for Amy

“Mama?” Melanie opened one eye.

“Amy?”

“I waited and waited. It’s 9:00 now, so I can wake you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I checked the clock on the microwave. I’m really hungry.”

“Me too, baby, want pancakes? Sorry, dumb question. Let me wash up and you can help.”

After breakfast and clean up, mother and daughter jumped in the car for their Saturday routine. First stop, the big playground in the city park for slides, swings, and everything else Amy enjoyed climbing on, over, around, and through. Then, the bank, to deposit this month’s check from her tenants, and then, supplies for the week from the supermarket.

In line for the supermarket cashier, they saw a six or seven year old boy having an absolute meltdown. Amy was watching open-mouthed. Afterwards, in the car, “Mama, that boy was being terrible. Did I ever cry like that?”

“No, Amy, you only cried a little, even when you were a little baby.”

“His mother probably wants to give him away. I’m glad I didn’t act like that.”

“AMY! Mothers don’t give away their kids! Amy, if you cried like that, I wouldn’t like it. But I wouldn’t give you away! I couldn’t! Not ever!”

My baby! I need to end this, now!

Melanie snapped off her safety belt and rushed into the back seat to hug her daughter. Melanie was already crying, which set Amy off too.

When, finally, they were a little calmer, Melanie asked, “Baby, why did you talk about kids being given away?”

“There’s a girl in my daycare class, her name is Jordan. Her Uncle Dan picks her up. I asked her why, and she said her mom sent her away and now he has to take care of her. Jordan is really sad about that. But Jordan is nice. She’s my best friend. I don’t think she was ever bad like that boy in the store.”

“Amy, that boy was having a bad day. He might be a really good boy most of the time, we don’t know. Let’s forget about him, OK? I want to ask you a question. Do you have a good mama?”

“My mama is the best mama!”

“Why?”

“Because you take care of me, and you take me to the playground, and read to me, and all kinds of things!”

“So, if your mama is a good mama, that means it’s possible some mamas are bad mamas, right?”

“Oh, no! That’s terrible!”

This possibility hit Amy hard, Melanie could see.

“Some women have babies but can’t be good mothers. Jordan has an uncle, thank goodness, who could step up and take care of her, and get daycare for her while he has to work.

“Amy, what could you do that would make me give you away?”

She looked nervous. “I don’t know, Mama.”

“NOTHING. Amy, I am your mother FOREVER. You are STUCK with me, got it?”

“Yes, Mama.”

As hard as things might get, I still have to be her rock. The worst part? The monster of a man who made me pregnant HAS given her away, and some day Amy is going to ask questions. Oh, I can’t think about that now.

After some more hugs, they went home. They put away the groceries, and then mother and daughter cuddled together for a well-earned nap.