Trouble in the City
Gabriel’s mother woke him up gently. It was still dark. It was raining. Gabriel rolled over and watched the drops playing tag down the smog stained windows of their small apartment. His mother turned him over again and kissed his forehead.
“It’s time to get up sweetie, can’t be late for school.” she said sweetly, then quietly left the room. Gabriel got up, brushed his teeth, and dressed. He quickly pulled his favorite red shirt over his sandy colored curls but had to try twice to get his jeans on the right way. He found clean white socks laid out on the chair next to his bed but opted for dirty ones with holes with the word “Superhero” printed on them. He tied his shoes and as a finishing touch tied on a black satin cape with the insignia of Batman stitched carefully onto it. Gabe glanced into the mirror and left the room. He found his mother in her room putting on makeup, trying to hide the dark bruises under her eyes.
“Momma, I’m ready.”
“Gabe honey, you can’t wear play clothes to school.” Amy said.
“Momma I’m not wearing play clothes, this is my uniform.” Gabe said simply, smiling. Amy looked at him with pity in her eyes that Gabriel didn’t understand and turned back to the mirror to finish her make up.
“Alright sweetheart, you wear your uniform.”
Together they rode down the elevator and his mother hailed a taxi to take them to the nearest Starbucks. While sipping his hot chocolate and munching a sandwich Gabriel looked around at all the other people munching and sipping in the shop. Something was wrong. Everything looked mean, hard, and sharp. The man behind the counter was looking at his mother, the woman just getting up to leave smiled at him, the little girl across the room blew him a kiss. It was wrong. Momma had to get out. Gabriel stood up and grasped his mother’s hand tightly, pulling on it. She bent down to listen to him.
“Momma, please, it’s time to go. Let’s leave right now.” he said.
“Gabe, I haven’t got my coffee yet. Be patient love.” she said.
“Momma, come now please, it’s not safe.” Amy looked down at Gabriel concern etched under the mask of makeup.
“Alright honey, we’ll go, just one second.”
Gabriel never let go of her hand. They walked down the street in the rain which now froze onto Gabe’s cape. It matched the fierce determined look in his eyes. Down the busy street, through traffic, into the heart of the city, Gabriel never let go of his mother’s hand. Gabriel peered into every dark corner and around every trash can and news stand looking for he knew not what. He only knew his job.
After walking blocks and blocks in the cold they came to Gabriel’s school. Gabe walked slower. Superheroes don’t belong in school. Momma wasn’t safe without a superhero.
“Momma can you come to school with me today?” Gabriel said.
“No Gabe, I have to go to work.”
“Is there a superhero there to watch out for you?” he asked.
“Gabe there is no need for a superhero at work. I’m right down the street, nothing will happen. I’ll come get you in just a few hours. Be a good boy and go to class.” she said hurriedly as she walked out the door.
Gabe stared at the door as it was closed behind his mother. It was wrong. He was being locked into a prison without hope of escape. Momma was gone without anyone to look out for her. Gabriel sat down in front of the door and cried hysterically.
Gabe felt arms around him. He looked up through his tears and saw Miss Kathy, the pretty first grade teacher.
“Gabriel, it’s time to go to class. Can you come and do that with me?” she asked, smiling.
“No Miss Kathy, Momma needs me. Superheroes don’t belong in school. There’s trouble in the city.” Gabriel said.
“Gabe, now listen here. Your mom needs to go to work and you need to go to school. That is how the world works. Your mom will be back in a few hours to pick you up. Now take off your cape and come to class.” Miss Kathy said sternly. Gabriel looked at her and got up slowly.
“Miss Kathy, this is my uniform.” he said. Then he walked to the math classroom without removing his cape and went in. Everything was wrong. Nothing was safe. His mother was in danger he was sure of it. He ran back out of the room and straight into Kathy.
“Miss Kathy, it’s not safe here. I need to leave.” he said, the tears starting again.
“Dear, it’s time to stop playing and go to class.” she said.
“You don’t understand! I need to go. Momma needs me.” Gabe said.
“Gabriel. Get in class or I will take you to the corner.” she said. Gabe stood where he was. Miss Kathy took him into the teacher’s lounge, sat him on a stool and faced him into the corner and left the room. He promptly got off the stool, left the room, and sat next to the door. When Kathy found him there she lost her patience.
“Gabriel your behavior is unacceptable. You are going to class, and you are going to behave yourself.” She picked him up, carried him into the room, and seated him in his seat without another word. Far from defeated, Gabriel sat at his desk and waited out the lesson and tried to escape at lunch. That was the last straw for Miss Kathy. She called his mother. When Amy arrived Kathy exploded.
“Your son has become the most disruptive student in the school. This is unacceptable. Just because your husband left you does not give you the right to let your son parade around as the superhero he clearly believes he is. He is too old. He needs a firm hand, Amy. I require that you apply a more strict home life.” Amy’s stare was cold and full of daggers. Her voice was flinty.
“Miss Kathy my son is not yours. Yes, my husband left me, I’d thank you to keep silent on the subject. The love of a son for his mother is nothing to be ashamed of. I apologize for the disruption in your school. We will not be returning to this establishment.” Amy said. She took Gabriel’s hand and left.
Gabriel clung to his mother’s hand and watched carefully for danger all the way home. There was trouble in the city. When they arrived at their apartment Amy collapsed on the couch and cried bitterly. Devastated, Gabe climbed onto the couch beside her and tried to ascertain her injury. When he could find none he went and got her a cup of water, and a box of tissues and his stuffed bear, dabbed at her running makeup and kissed her. She slowly stopped her crying and sighed.
“Gabe honey, you were a very naughty boy today.” she said.
“Momma you need me to protect you.” Gabe said. She gave up trying to explain. Amy got up and made dinner for them both and watched the news while Gabriel got ready for bed. He came out of his room still wearing his cape.
“Momma, can I take my cape off to sleep? Will you be alright till the morning?” he asked. Amy picked up her son and set him on her lap.
“Yes sweetheart, I will be alright.” Gabriel fell asleep on her chest exhausted.
Coffee and Cellos 