The single mom and her boss

Chapter seven - First day of school and work

Jasmine's POV:

Chloe starts school next week. I can't believe it. Time flies fast. It's like yesterday when she was born. Now, she is already in first grade. More than anything, I want to be with her, but I can't. She has to do this alone. We'll be together after work. I'll always go to pick her up from school. No one will do this instead of me. I went to talk with the teachers one day and explained the situation to them. I don't want them to treat her differently, but I know what is happening. There will be parent meetings, but only I will go. I won't make my parents do my job. Chloe is my responsibility. They can watch her only if I have something to do. It might sound selfish, but I want her with me. That's why I always freak out if I don't know where she is. All I want to know is that she is ok and safe. That's it. Every parent gets worried about their kids. Let's say this is like an instinct. I don't know any other kids from her class. Well, I'm sure she will get accepted. The same thing can be true for me when I go to these parent meetings. We'll be fine. It's a chance for her to make new friends. I know she wants me to be with her, but I can't do this. Teachers won't let me in. The other thing is that I can't help her the way they do. I hope that she won't have any problems.

It's my first day of work. I'm a bit nervous about this. I don't know how people will accept me. I'm trying to be myself, but sometimes, you have to look good in people's eyes. The other big day is for Chloe. It's her first day of school. I don't want her to grow so fast. I wish she could be the baby I held every day. I barely let her go somewhere without me. It's wrong, but I love having her next to me. She is the only person I need.

I woke up and got ready for the day. I had to buy new clothes. The way people dress in a company is different than in a restaurant. Chloe got something new as well. I went to get dressed and later made us breakfast. While she was eating, I prepared her lunch. We'll go in the car today. That might be a regular thing. Otherwise, it will take me too much time to go to work. She didn't look happy, but there was no choice. I'll come to pick her up as soon as my workday finishes. After all, I'll miss her too.

- You don't need to put on a sad face. It won't help you.

- I don't want to go without you.

- Why are you like that? You were happier in kindergarten.

- But no one knows me.

- This doesn't matter. Focus on yourself. Nothing else should matter. I'll help you with the lessons at home.

- Can't I study at home?

- Not the way you are thinking. I can't give you the same education as a proper teacher.

- But I.

- Chloe, please stop. Don't make it harder than it already is.

- I'm sorry. It won't happen again.

- The good news is that my weekends are free. We can do something together.

- We can go to the zoo or the park.

- Yes, we can. Keep your head up. You are better than everyone else. Always remember this.

- I'm better.

- Good. We are here. Take off your seatbelt. Can you do it?

- It's stuck.

- I'll pretend that I didn't meet the actress. Here you go.

- Thanks.

- Only little kids cry. Let's go inside.

- No!

- Chloe. I won't repeat it. I'll be late for work. I can't do this on my first day.

- I don't want to go.

- Please, listen to me. Nothing will happen. I'll come to pick you up as soon as my work day finishes. In the afternoon, the teachers will help you with the homework.

- I want to do it with you. - she said, still crying

- We can do it together on the weekend. Do you love me?

- Yes.

- Then listen to what I say. You have to go there. The teachers won't wait for you. Neither, my boss.

- Can we eat pasta tonight?

- Sure. I'll do whatever you want.

- Don't leave me.

- I have to go to work. Promise to listen to the teachers. You can make new friends here.

- They won't be like you.

- But they are your age. Go inside now. I have to go to work. I'll come soon. You won't even realize when the time has passed.

- Bye.

- Bye, Chloe. - I said and wiped my tears

This might have been one of my hardest days in life. I hate when this happens, but there is no choice. She has to go to school. I can't give her the same education as the teachers. I cleaned my face in the car and went to work. I took wet wipes with me. I was sure this would happen. The good news is that I don't wear makeup. I don't have time for this. Also, I prefer to spend my money on my daughter. I parked my car and went to the office of my boss's assistant.

- Good morning. I hope I'm not late.

- No, you are on time.

- Thank god. What are my tasks for the day?

- We'll start with something easy. As long as emails, my boss receives a lot of mail. You should sort it into three groups. Later, you will put it in the system. He likes to have everything organized.

- Great. What are the groups?

- Spam. That includes pamphlets and brochures. Collaborations and partnerships. These are from people who want to do a launch with us. PR. The group is for creators we asked to send them something.

- I get it. You mentioned something about a system.

- Yes. Sit down. That will be your desk. You open it from here.

- Mail sortener.

- Exactly. After the boss reads the mail, he checks it. That is marked as read.

- Understood.

- Here is today's mail. We have a bit more than usual.

- No problem.

- Tell me when you are ready. You don't need to rush.

- I'm ready. - I said after twenty minutes

- You what? You can't be ready that fast.

- You told me to sort the mail into three groups and put it in the system.

- Correct.

- That's what I did. See?

- Ok. That was unexpected. I have some work to do. You can help me.

- I would love to.

I have said to my boss that I can work fast. My previous work experience made me this way. Sometimes, I think I do everything too quickly without enjoying it. That is even when it comes to Chloe. I hope that she is ok. It will take her some time to get used to this. I think about her all the time. I try to get my head to work. Otherwise, people will see right through me. We managed to finish all the work by lunchtime. Kelsey made me leave the papers at mister Write's office. She said she would go to help Brianna. I need to inform him about that. The question is about what I should do now.

- Hello, sir.

- Hey, Jasmine. Do you have a problem?

- No, no. Kelsey sent me to bring you the papers. We finished everything with her.

- You finished all the job?

- Yes. She told me that she would help Brianna. What should I do now?

- Well, I have some work. Maybe you can help me.

- No problem. Tell me what to do.

- Bring one of the chairs and sit next to me.

- Done.

- This is a list of people who will receive our next PR box. I want you to read the names. I'll check them here.

- Is there anything else? That is a job for five minutes.

- We can't do this in five minutes.

- Of course, we can. Makayla Smith. John Adams. Leyla Olsen. Nick Kelson. Olly Fisher.

- Hey, hey. Slow down. I can't check them that fast.

- I'm sorry, but why are you so slow? - I asked, and he laughed

- Maybe you are too fast. Look, you have to get used to the speed of people here. We can't work that fast.

- I'll try, but it will take me some time.

- You know what? I might use you to help other people. Your speed might be helpful.

- I'm open to anything.

- I like the enthusiasm.

- Thanks. I'm trying my best not to disappoint you.

- I don't think you can do it.

The boss seemed impressed by me, which is good. I wanted to show him that he didn't make a wrong decision. After work, I went to pick Chloe up from school. She was so happy to see me. Well, me too. We went home, and I started with the dinner. I want to know everything about her first day. I'm sure she had fun. There is no other choice. I will help her with everything I can at home. After all, I have to go to work. The good news is that the weekends are only for us. You have no idea how happy I am about this.

- How was school? I want to know everything.

- We started with the alphabet. First are the vowels.

- Do you know what vowels are?

- No, but the teacher used this word.

- The vowels are a, e, o, u, and i. Do you understand?

- Yes. We started with the letter A.

- Good. We'll practice what you have learned in school on the weekend.

- Can we go out? You don't have to work now.

- Of course. When we finish our work, we'll go out.

- Will you make pancakes for breakfast?

- Sure. Do you want to help me?

- Yes! I will help you.

- Don't forget that we have pizza on Friday.

- I won't. I want it to have more pepperoni and cheese.

- I'll say this when we order it.

- How was work? Did the boss like you?

- He is a nice man. I think he did.

- Can I see him?

- No. Chloe, I'm only going to work.

- You can go out with friends. Grandma will watch me.

- Thanks, but I don't want to do it. I like staying at home with you.

- What about the weekend?

- I promised to go out with you.

- Thank you. We'll have fun.

- Yes, we will. Do you like the dinner?

- It's delicious.

- How was your lunch? I'll pack you something else tomorrow.

- I ate everything.

- Good job. Did you find new friends?

- No. I didn't like anyone.

- It was only your first day. I think you need more time to get to know someone.

- No, you are my friend.

- I will always be your friend, but you need someone your age.

- No! I need only you. - she said, and I felt the tears

- Really?

- Yes. I don't want anyone else.

- I love you so much. - I said and pulled her in for a hug

Every mom says this, but this is the most adorable kid. I love her with all my heart. I'm glad that I got the job. After all, I did it for her. Finally, I'll have a better salary. Chloe will feel like the other kids. When I get my paycheck, I'll buy her something. She had wanted one thing for quite a while, but it was over one hundred dollars. I used to save every cent. I don't have to do this anymore. I don't need to save my whole salary. Things are going well, and I'm happy about this. Soon, there will be a parent meeting, and I'm looking forward to it. I hope that I can help Chloe with whatever I can.