On the walk there the the usual greetings to the same people you see everyday. Their motions continuing just as her own. "Off your scooters" the woman calls, just before the girls reach the school gate. They moan and point out the injustice of anyone they see who is not adhering to this school rule and the woman wishes there were a sign outside the school gate to support her stance. Off their scooters now they rush to see whatever friend they have spotted and storing the scooters along with pushing the infant, now become a job for the woman.
She finds a spot from which she can watch both of the girls and secures the lock on the buggy, before letting down her hair,shaking it loose and running her fingers through it. An act that she knows will make her appear a tad more presentable. She inhales as she scans the playground, and then exhales.
The girls are laughing. One hugs her best friend excitedly while the other is steering a pirate ship. Parents and carers extend pleasantries. Moms discuss upcoming outings and events. Playdates are arranged and children fall over and are lifted. The woman watches. She speaks when she is spoken to. She smiles because it is expected. She breathes because she has to.
She hears her name called and turns, a face more familiar than the others attatched to the voice. The anxiety she hadn't realised she'd been feeling until that moment begins to subside and she realises an invitation to coffee has been extended which she gladly accepts. It is time for the children to enter their classrooms and the woman attempts to get a quick kiss and hug off of the girl as she rushes past with yet another friend, eager to get into class. "Love you" they both call out, as both a statement and reply.
The younger child is waving to the older one and happily grabs her scooter until she remembers she can not mount it until they are outside of the gates. The women leave the school and walk in the direction of the cafe. The sun is now warm on their faces even though the air still has a chill. The first woman detours to take the small child to preschool, stows away the scooter and counts the steps up the stairs with the infant on her hip and a little hand in her own on the other side. They reach the top, open the doors and then the little girls rushes in, leaving the woman with her backpack and coat to hang before departing. She calls to the little girl and waves though the little girl is already preoccupied and uninterested.
She sets off down the stairs, kisses the baby before putting her back into the pushchair and pushes her across the road to join the others at the cafe. Someone holds the door and they enter. The cafe is warm and immediately it's comforting scents envelop her. Chairs are shuffled and space is made for the woman and baby. Coffee comes out and though it is still too hot to drink, she holds it to warm her hands and opens a biscuit package for the little one. Whatever anxiety was still present melts away and the womenchat and drink their coffees.
This is the woman they see. A care free woman at the cafe with friends. A stay at home wife and mother. Long dark hair, a smile, beautiful baby cooing away while her husband works. On the surface they all seem the same to varying degrees but all with the life in their head playing out concurrently. She wonders if for some this is the only life. She wonders if it's true what they say, that with some people what you see is what you get. She sips her coffee. It is delicious and just what she needs.
No comments:
Post a Comment