Craved Affection

10. Accident

There was an accident.

It is the only thing that's running on my mind right now. I am now driving my car, past the speed limit but I don't care. The only thing that I care about right now is the whereabouts of my son. I am praying to every highest being I know to keep him safe.

I'm lucky that there's not much traffic. Considering it is still morning, I didn't expect the highway is almost clear of vehicles. But thanks to that, I'm able to reach Luigi's school faster and unscathed. I may or may not have heard sirens behind me as I enter the building.

I run towards the principal's office. Some teachers that I bump into called out to me for running in the hallway but I didn't stop until I reach my destination. When I open the door, Anna's face is the first thing I see. There are tears in her eyes. And then my gaze wanders to the kid sitting across the room.

His face is swollen but he doesn't have a cut. He looks like he's badly beaten up. I return my eyes to Anna, looking for my son. Anna moves back a little and there I see my Luigi, sitting silently on the chair and looking at the boy across the room. He didn't look like he was hurt or anything.

"Miss Bruce, I'm glad you can make it."

The principal stands up and offers her hand. I gladly take it and shake it lightly. My hands are trembling but I didn't care if she notice it or not.

"What is this all about, Ma'am?" I ask. I couldn't hide the worry and fright in my voice.

"Your son was involved in an incident, Miss Bruce."

My eyes widen and I look at Luigi. He's avoiding my gaze. He's looking everywhere but me,

"Don't get me wrong, Mommy. Your son is not in the wrong. He protected his classmates from a bully."

The principal smiled at me proudly. That is when I notice the girl sitting beside my son. She has long black hair. Her dress is a mess and she is fidgeting with his fingers. As soon as the principal mentioned it, Luigi look down at her and she gets so shy that bow her head even more.

"It was not the wisest method to use but I will consider the thought of the actions. This school does not tolerate bullying but it also does not tolerate violence as well. I know you understand what I mean. I hope we can make the student understand their actions," the principal continued.

"I will talk to my son, Ma'am. As for the other kid..." we both look at the kid across the room.

"We've been trying to reach out to his parents but they were both out of reach. He will be staying here for the time being until his parents arrive."

I feel pity for the kid. It must've felt like the world just turn its back on him and that even his parents wouldn't come to his aid. The principal must've seen my expression because she smiles at me. Even though he did some bad things, he's still a kid. He still needs someone to guide him.

"Don't worry about him, Miss Bruce. A counselor will talk to him soon. Luigi had done his earlier, so he'll be fine to leave."

I nod at her. I look at Anna and she also nods at me. We said our goodbyes to the principal and excuse ourselves. We bring the girl with us since Luigi insisted saying that no one will pick her up and she is living a few houses from us.

"I thought something bad had happened to Luigi. Why would you startle me like that?" I said to Anna.

We are now sitting inside my car. Anna is in the front seat while the children are in the back. Luigi is doing his best to accommodate his classmate. And it's a sight to see.

"Eyes on the road, Mom. You're scaring Jena."

Luigi said when he caught me looking at them through the side mirror. He's looking at me with pleading eyes.

"I'm sorry, Catherine. I'm just touched by what Luigi had done," Anna said. She too is looking at me with pleading eyes.

"Why are you crying then?"

"I told you, I was touched by what our baby boy had done."

Luigi wince when he hears the word, baby boy. He looks at Anna with wide eyes. And then he lightly shakes his head.

"I'm not a baby anymore, Anna!" he defensively said.

"Don't call him that in front of his girlfriend." I tease him.

"Mom!"

Anna and I laugh at how Luigi strongly protests. Jena, the girl beside Luigi lowers her head but I see a ghost of a smile on her lips. I smile warmly at her.

"Jena," I call her name. She jerk her head towards me which I couldn't help but see as cute.

"Is it okay with your parents that you're coming with us?" I continue with a small smile.

"They won't mind it, Miss Bruce." I almost couldn't hear her voice because it was so low.

"Her parents don't care about her. Her sister wouldn't even drive her to school." Luigi suddenly chimes in as if he knows all about her more than Jena herself.

Jena's reaction changes as soon as she hears Luigi say that. He's rambling and I see how Jena gets all shy that she wants to hide somewhere.

"On that matter, can she ride with us going to and from school, Mom?"

Luigi even scoots forward from his seat so he's now directly behind me. Anna and I are watching them in the rearview mirror.

"Of course! But Luigi, honey, I don't think that is a nice thing to do. Saying all those things in front of your friend," I lightly scold my son. It's not polite to just say things about someone without their consent.

"Don't worry, Miss Bruce. He didn't say anything that is not real." Jena looks at Luigi before looking at me.

"But can I truly ride with you?" I nod at Jena and offer her a smile.

The ride after that goes smoothly. Jena and Luigi occasionally discuss something. Luigi is the first one to open a topic and Jena is generous with her reactions and expression. We soon arrive at Jena's house. Just like what Luigi said, it was indeed a few houses down from us, not that I didn't believe my son. Luigi removes the seatbelt Jena is wearing and he even opens the door for her. He waits outside the car for Jena to get inside their house. When Jena safely got inside, Luigi gets back in the car and wear his seatbelt.

"You look cool today, baby boy," Anna tease as we make a turn towards our house.

"Anna, I'm not a baby anymore." Luigi pout.

"Your right. You are not a baby anymore. You have your crush now." Anna laughs loudly it fills the whole car.

"That's enough, you two. Luigi, go get change and come down after. We are going to talk."

I instruct him as I parked my car in the driveway. He nods at me before going out of the car. Anna and I follow soon after him. I slid the key into my bag and walk to the front door.

"Are you not going to go back to the company?" Anna ask me.

"I will, after talking to Luigi. I'm proud that he stood up for his classmate but I didn't like how he handled the situation."

"But he's just a kid. He doesn't know better."

I turn around to face Anna. Anna had the kindest and purest heart of all. She tends to overreact to anything. And she tends to get soft on just about anything. And my son has that soft spot in her that nothing and no one can remove.

"Still, we need to point out his wrongdoings. Spoiling him wouldn't help him," I said with firmness.

"Are you going to spoil him, Anna? Or are you spoiling him already?" I continue.

Anna looks around except for me. She's acting like a deer in the headlights. She's now rocking her body forward and backward as she fiddle with her fingers.

"I'm not spoiling him. Maybe... occasionally."

"What?"

"But you're always telling him what's wrong or right. You're raising your son well, Catherine." She defends herself.

"Thank you. But that doesn't mean that you can spoil him, Anna. You know it." I cross my arms on my chest.

"I know. I just couldn't help it. Your son is cute." Anna walks toward me and hugs me. "I'm glad that you decided to raise him."

I return her hug. Anna and David are some of the best things that had happened to me. Luigi is first on the list. They are my family and my world. And they mean more to me than my own life.

"I know." I let her enjoy the moment for a while.

"Now let's get inside because I will be talking to the both of you." I continue.