Claimed by my Unexpected Protector

Chapter Five

Eralia's POV

Turning away from the Elementary entrance, I start to walk further down the path before opening the gate built into the fencing and walking toward a large double wide mobile home that has been converted into the pre-K school.

We walk up the steps, and I push open the door, stepping into the small area that has coat hooks screwed to the walls, children’s coats already in place, hanging over cubbies that hold lunch boxes and bags belonging to the children.

Helping Tanner out of his coat, I hang it up on the peg next to his name, before guiding him through the door to our left that opens into a large space where children are scattered, doing different activities.

‘Good morning, Tanner, how are you today?’ a sing song voice calls out as Miss Harriett, one of the helpers, comes toward us, smiling brightly.

My brother shrugs again, not looking up as I slowly prise my hand from his, smiling wider than necessary, trying to convince myself that I am not feeling like a gigantic asshole for making him go here.

I bend down, hugging Tanner tightly, the four year old clinging tightly to me for a split second longer than he needs to before reluctantly letting me go.

‘You go have fun, OK?’ I tell him, ‘draw me a really great picture for the wall, and I’ll be back here to get you before you know it.’

Tanner nods, his thin arms sliding from around my neck before he reaches out and takes Miss Harriett’s extended hand, allowing her to lead him away toward the activities that are laid out ready.

Standing up, I turn quickly on my heel, hurrying from the room and out of the building, racing down the path toward the sidewalk.

As I turn toward the right, and start my walk to the bus stop for the first of my three journeys, I try to push aside the aching guilt as my little brother’s defeated look haunts me. I hate leaving him there, I knew he didn’t like it, but this is the first time he’s actually voiced how much he doesn’t want to go. I don’t have a choice though, I was removed from school after Liberty was born, registered as being homeschooled, but in reality, I was really there to be her built in child minder. I soon became a statistic, the education board forgot me, never checked up that I was actually doing school work so I spent the next eight years elbow deep in diapers, juggling food stamps and trying to make sure my siblings were cared for, whilst my mother forgot about her responsibilities.

I was seventeen, Libs was in school, and it was a rare day of mum actually saying she wanted to spend time with the boys. I went to town, walked the ten miles. I don’t even know why I went that day, maybe in the hope I’d find some loose change or even dumpster diving for food? As I walked the streets, a stroke of fortune hit me in the form of Mackenzie. A sign in her window was asking for help in the shop, on a whim and maybe just a little bit desperate, I went inside and the baker ended up giving me a job despite no qualifications or experience. I still wonder if she felt sorry for me that day, as I tentatively enquired about her hiring me, I’m still thankful for the opportunity though.

The problem I had afterwards was that though mum cared for Austin and tanner that day, she was by no means reliable when it came to her children’s needs. When I told mum that I would be starting work, she wasn’t happy until I pointed out that I could help cover the bills leaving her more of her own money for her booze, she changed her mind.

Everything started well, she wasn’t always sober but she stayed home until I got back before disappearing out for the night. It was when Austin started school that things went downhill, I’d come home to Tanner starving and dirty, sometimes locked in the bathroom whilst she slept on the couch or entertained her ‘friends’. It was when I came back to find him in the trailer, on his own because she’d left, the toddler crying in fear, diaper dirty that I knew I couldn’t keep this up anymore, Laurie was never going to change.

I knocked on the door of our neighbour, Mrs Felape, the woman is a chain smoking grouch, but after offering her money, she agreed to watch my brother until I could find proper care for him. It took me eight months, but I finally got offered one of the very few free places at the pre K next to Austin and Liberty’s school. Not only is the placement free, but they provide him with a hot lunch every day which is the only way I can guarantee he gets a decent meal.

I huff out a breath as my bus appears, trundling toward me, already stuffed full with other commuters, dashing any hope I had of getting a seat.

As the vehicle slows to a stop in front of me, the doors hissing open, I rummage in my pocket for the few dollars I’ve kept aside to get me to work today. My scrabbling fingers come up empty, and my stomach drops as I realise my mother has been through my pockets, no wonder she was already gone this morning, no doubt she was outside the liquor store for when it opens.

‘Sorry, I don’t have my wallet’ I mutter, taking a step back as the bus driver mutters curses under his breath about me wasting his time, glaring angrily at me as the doors swing shut again and he pulls away. Watching it leave, my shoulders fall as I turn back around, starting the long walk to work that now stands in front of me. As though it senses how craptastic my day is going, the heavens decide to open and it starts to rain, soaking through my thin coat . . . f.ucking great.