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Oh, the guilt!

On Monday, I was late picking Maria up from school.  Not very late, mind you.  About 5 minutes late.  But, when you’re late, they take your child to the office until you deign to show up.

I was actually at the school early… so early, in fact, the gate to the parking lot was closed.  So, to kill time, I swung through the Starbucks drive-thru for a skinny latte (still on The Beach, you know) and chocolate chip cookies (for the kids).  Only I didn’t swing very fast.  There was a line.  A very slooooooowwww moving line.  By the time I got outta there and back over to the school, I was late.  And, late for a pretty selfish reason.

Leaving the telltale Starbucks cup behind in the car, Luke, Sam and I parked and climbed the stairs to the office.  There was my poor little Maria.  Sitting all alone in a chair waiting for me.  (The office people were there - who are wonderful - but no other kids.)  I apologized profusely to Maria and to the office staff and herded everyone out the door.  At the van I explained to Maria what had happened and offered her a chocolate chip cookie.  “That’s okay, Mommy,” she told me.  I was happy to be forgiven, but still felt bad.  She looked so small and lonely in that office chair waiting for me…

Fast forward to today.  I just picked Maria up from school.  Watched her as she walked out the doors and looked around slowly for me.  Saw the uncertain-ness in her face until she spotted me and smiled big.

As she climbed into the van she said, “Thanks for picking me up right on time today, Mommy.”

Oh, how it hurts.