“WE will come back after your class, okay, Gracie?” Hinagod ni Katarine ang buhok ng pamangkin at saka tumayo mula sa pagkakaluhod.
Matamis na ngumiti sa kaniya ang bata saka tumango, giving her assurance.
“Don’t worry, mommy. I’m safe here. Bad guys are not allowed in our school, you know?” astang-matandang sambit nito saka hinaplos ang mukha niya.
Humugot siya nang malalim na hininga saka nagpakawala ng alanganing ngiti. She can’t help it. Maybe she’s just being paranoid on thinking that something might happen to Gracie when she takes her eyes off her.
“Okay. Study hard just like what your mom wants, all right?” aniya saka ito hinalikan sa ulo.
Tumango lang ito saka siya hinila pababa at humalik sa pisngi niya.
“You call me if—”
“Mommy, I’m in school. We are not allowed to use our
