Last day. 18 kids. 85º.
Amaya had diarrhea. There's at least one poop per day, and today was Ms. Sosie's. Turns out she's allergic to milk and had some at lunch.
We went outside and Ava went to the far side of the older kid area with the bikes. She was by herself so I followed her, Ms. Leslie said it's fine as long as someone is with her. She just stayed on that circular path, walking the trike while sitting on the seat, not pedaling but moving. I couldn't get her to leave, so I found shade and stayed with her for about 30 minutes. Charlotte came over and played by herself with the older kid toys. It was so peaceful with two little girls, surrounded by grass and nobody else. They didn't play with each other, which means they didn't fight with each other. We finally got Ava to leave the area when her mom came to pick her up. Ms. Flores says Ava is on that bike track all morning too.
After Ava left, a handful of girls wanted to go inside to use the bathroom. Maximus wanted to come in with us, but I didn't let him and he started crying and screaming, trying to open the door. I heard Ms. Roberts talking to him, telling him to move away from the door, so I knew he was taken care of. By the time we were ready to come back outside, Max was still trying to get in, blocking us from getting out. I heard Ms. Jodhi tell the kids to clean up so we can go inside, and Ms. Roberts telling Max to leave the door. We were trapped inside the room, so I let the girls dilly dally in the cool air conditioning while we waited for the others.
Towards the end of the day, when it was just Ms. Jodhi, Mr. Wayne, three kids and me, it was calm enough to give Ms. Jodhi the gift I brought her, an insulated Japanese lunchbag and mom-made apron. She was so touched that I called her my mentor and gave her a gift. She was grateful and gracious, and I sang her praises, how she is my Auntie Diane reincarnated, how she has been my support and guiding light, and on and on. She thanked me, told me that she lights a candle for me and my future job. When we told Mr. Wayne that it's my last day, he said to us that there has never been someone like me and there won't be another one. Ms. Jodhi agreed and I asked what he meant, and he said nobody ever self starts, nobody takes initiative, they just wait to be told and aren't helpful. That acknowledgment felt great.
Ms. Nadia and Ms. Tameka learned it was my last day as I left. Ms. Tameka shouted, "you don't like us anymore?" and I told her, I need to work more hours and make a living! She understood. Ms. Nadia asked what my next job is, when I said Culver City Parks and Recreation, she said her son had to get a full physical when he worked for West Hollywood, did I already do it? I told her that I got a physical for this job and I'll do whatever I need to for the next one. Always the negativity.
It feels weird not saying goodbye to the kids, but I might come back... so why worry them.
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