Todays After School Cluster Fuck

This afternoon, Miranda and Emma had a playdate.   Elizabeth has an after school class until 4:10. I neither want to make the girls stop their playdate to go get her or leave them alone so I asked Elizabeth in the morning how she feels about walking home on her own. She, of course, feels fine. In fact, she asks if she can scooter to school with Parker and then home. I think this is great since she will get home faster.  When I went to pick up Miranda, I double checked that she was ok doing it (sometimes she is ok in the morning but then not later in the day). She said she was.

I started to feel a little strange about it so I asked Parker to scooter up the block to meet up with her. He left at 4:10 when her class was out. At the same moment, my friend Jessie, who I had asked if she could bring Elizabeth home a couple days ago but who never responded one way or the other, texts me that she was sorry she didn't respond and did I want her to take her home, adding that Elizabeth says she wants to scooter.  I tell her Elizabeth can scooter. Jessie asks if she wants me to follow Elizabeth home. I told her no, Parker is headed up to meet her.  Then I look out the window a few minutes later, and there is Jessie in her van. And sure enough, there is Elizabeth on her scooter.  I ask Elizabeth if she is ok, since I'm not sure why Jessie is there. She says that Jessie asked her to go another way so she could follow her. I explain to Elizabeth that she HAS to go the way she says she is going to go so I can find her if there is a problem.  I emphasize getting home at the time she says she will is also important. She seems on the verge on tears so I let it be. Then I wait outside for Parker to come back. He doesn't.  I start to worry so I hop in the car, doing the thing that I didn't want to do, and start to head up to school. Then my phone rings. It's Mr. Lewis, the fourth grade teacher.  He has Parker, who is very concerned that he couldn't find Elizabeth. I pull up to the curb, chat with Mr. Lewis for a moment, say thank you and then Parker and I head home. I explain the whole thing to Parker who is still a little shaken up.  As Mr. Lewis said, "Lesson Learned."