The Perfect Solution-A Suspense of Choices by Ey Wade Page B

hurts. I just can't see my life without Brhin.” She looked over the back of the seat straight into the eyes of Austin. His stare unwavering. “I almost wish you did have him, Austin. At least I would know where he is. I would know that he was being taken care of. Who in the world could have gone to that center and taken him? What was the matter with those people at that center? I specifically wrote in my note that you would be there to get him. What was I thinking? What is wrong with me? My mind was to keep him home with me today and I didn't. He even asked me if he could stay home and I told him 'no'. I felt too ill to keep him and entertain him. I promised him that he could go home with you and play with your stupid dog Road kill. It made him happy and eased my mind. Why the hell was I so damned selfish?"
    "Catrine, calm yourself. You were not being selfish you were just being ill. Brhin was better off being at The P. S. Center this morning. You were in no shape to care for him. And your cursing is not going to make it better. You gave up cursing and you have been doing really well without it. This is just another way for the devil to try and take away your joy. Don't give him the chance. Brhin will be back."
    "I'm trying to believe that Phae I really am. Come on let's go. The sooner we get there the sooner we can get back here."
    "You're right."
    Phalene climbed back in the driver's side of the car, started the motor and quickly moved into the stream of the traffic. As she sped through the streets, Catrine resumed her search of the sidewalks.
    It was really getting dark and the damp chill in the air had the few people that were out, scuttling quickly with heads bowed and hands in pockets. She prayed that she would see Brhin walking towards home. He knew the route from the house to The P.S. Center because they traveled it back and forth daily. They lived approximately ten blocks from the center. Riding the familiar streets, Catrine thought back on the first time she had heard about The Perfect Solution Child Care Center.
    It had been a Friday evening seven months previously and she had just walked into the house and shut the door. She’d barely had time to drop her briefcase to the floor before Brhin hurled his solid little body into her arms.
    "Momma, Linda says I'm goin' to school." He was smiling and jumping up and down with excitement. "She says I'll have lots of fun. Can I go? Can I go?"
    Looking around Brhin's head, Catrine questioned the teenage girl standing in the living room doorway.
    "What's this all about? Are you quitting, Linda?"
    "Not right now. Not really. When I start college I won't be able to sit with Brhin as much as I do now and I just thought that it would be good for him to go to school, too. He will be able to hang around with other children. Learn how to share with others and such. He'll need the socializing skills by the time he goes to kindergarten. You know what I mean." She said when Catrine's only reaction was to smile at her. "I have taken care of him all of his life and I feel more than a little bit responsible for him."
    Smiling at the nervous girl, Catrine walked into the living room and put Brhin on the floor before sitting in the nearest recliner. She stretched her legs out before her and leaned back in the chair.
    "And did you already choose his school?" She gave Brhin a hug and kiss when he climbed into her lap.
    "No, but I did check out a few. Some of them I didn't like at all. I wrote down this information," She took a sheet of notebook paper from the desk and handed it to Catrine. "From the two that I felt were the best. Brhin is such a smart little guy I thought it would be in his best interest if he were put somewhere that would teach him more. I don't mean to be pushy, but I think you should really look into this one." She continued talking when Catrine made no response. "The Perfect Solution Daycare Center is not too far from here and I would be able to get him from the center