A Day in the Daycare

By: Kira Rodriguez

“Alright friends, find your mats,” Amy said with a grand smile, stretching from ear to ear. “It’s time to catch our z’s.” The butterfly clips in her hair swayed back and forth as she helped the children with their blankets, ensuring they were comfortable on their blue gym mats.

“Mrs. Amy, I need help.”

Mia hit the light, allowing the hallway light to stream in. The room shifted as the laughter of Bluey was switched to rain music, the smell of diapers and sunscreen filling the air. Amy sat beside Joshy, tossing his blanket over his head and rubbing his back, while Mia sat beside Sarah and Maive, who continued their conversation.

“Close your eyes and go to sleep. No more talking.” Mia tossed their blankets over their heads, as Amy had demonstrated many times before, and began to rub their backs simultaneously.

“Oh Luke, let’s not make sad choices. Our friends are trying to sleep. No more talking,” Amy said from across the room, half-lit, rubbing Joshy’s back. “How has he been doing?”

“He’s still having a hard time. Poor thing stays up all night at home.”

“Still? Even after we talked to Grandma?”

“She claimed she’d talked to Mom, but nothing changed. I caught him falling asleep over in the Book Corner during free play. I would’ve let him sleep, but–.” “He should’ve slept at home. He’s here to play and learn, not sleep.” “Grandma claims he did. Poor thing is already out like a light,” Amy said, puffing her lips into an empathetic frown, a sigh escaping her. “Clare woke him up and gave him a bath just before you clocked in.”

“That’s messed up,” Mia said, shaking her head. “An LDSS form was already filled and a call was already made. There really isn’t anything else we can do?” “Sadly, no. We just have to wait until the State comes in tomorrow. By the way, are you coming in tomorrow?”

“At noon, why?”

“Your name is on the form so the State will want to ask you a few questions.”

“Alright, I’ll try to be a bit early then.”

Maive, half asleep, kicked off her blanket and stared up at Mia, a question lingering on the tip of her tongue.

“Ask me after nap time, okay?” Mia said before a word was uttered. “Turn onto your stomach so I can rub your back.”

“Still not asleep?” Amy asked as she left Joshy’s side and sat down in one of the small plastic chairs, scissors in her hand.

“Not yet, Sarah is though.” Mia double-checked before she stopped rubbing her back. “Did you see any new bruises during the wellness check this morning?” “I did, but both he and Grandma claim he fell off his scooter last night.” “I got the same excuse two days ago.”

“Kids do fall off their scooters.”

“And get a bruise on the inside of their arm?”

Amy sighed, “I know, but he’s only three and he needs his mom. I don’t want to see them separated.” She paused, “I took pictures and Dad is picking him up today. I’m going to talk to him.”

“Good idea. Maybe he could talk to Mom. Try and convince her to let Joshy stay with him for a few days, ya’know until the State figures something out.”

The girls paused as Joshy squirmed on his mat and kicked off his blanket, subtle cries escaping his lips. Mia left the sleeping Maive and crawled to Joshy’s side, tossing the blanket over his head and rubbing his back. His cries settled,

“The bruises are new.”

“What do you mean?” Mia asked.

“The last time Mom dropped him off, maybe four or five weeks ago, some guy was with her. Joshy said it was her boyfriend.”

“You think he’s involved?”

“It makes sense. I mean, a day or so after that, Joshy came in with a bruise on his arm. Same spot, too.” Amy sniffled, rubbing her nose before continuing to cut the yellow paper into circles for the craft Friday morning. “He’s such a sweet boy. I see him come in and I just wanna scoop him up and take him home.”

“I don’t understand how anyone could treat a kid the way he’s treated,” Mia said, shaking her head. “He was the last kid in here before I closed the room Monday. When Grandma came to take him home, he just sat there.”

“He didn’t want to go?”

“No, he just sat on the ground and continued playing, asking for a few more minutes. He kept looking at me. I thought he was about to cry.”

“Aw, poor baby! Now I really want to take him home.” Amy blinked away the tears that nested in her eyes. “I really hope they do something for him.”

Mia nodded and joined Amy at the table once Joshy was sleeping soundly, grabbing another pair of scissors to cut strips of yellow paper. The children, a few twitching and kicking off their blankets, slept soundly to the rain music. The clock ticked with each passing silent minute.