The Drop Off
"You know you're lucky" Susan spat from the front seat, "If it were up to me, you would just stay home by yourself, but noo your dad says your too young" Ottie just stayed quiet. Ever since her mom had died, she was usually quiet, especially around Susan. Her dad met Susan about 5 months ago, they started dating a month after that. Which was fine for Ottie since she could avoid Susan if she needed, she didn't see her very often anyways. That was until last week when Ottie and her dad moved towns and Susan came with them. Now she couldn't avoid Susan and had no choice but to interact with her. At home it wasn't so bad, Susan was never too bad around her dad, it was when they were alone when she turned cold and bitter. She could usually ignore her, she did that by thinking of her mom, this time she was thinking of when she would swing her around by the arms in the yard. That was Ottie's favorite, she would always have the brightest smile and the most uncontrollable laugh.
"We're here brat." Susan said bitterly ripping Ottie out of her thoughts, "I'll walk you into the doors then you can find your way" And she did just that, she unbuckled her from her car seat, walked her just inside the doors, then left her without another word. Ottie just kind of stood for a while there taking everything in, this place was huge.
"Hi there!" A voice said from right next to Ottie causing her to jump. She had been so focused on everything she hadn't even noticed the lady walk up next to her. "Sorry didn't mean to scare you, I'm Jessica, but you can call me Jess." She said politely. Ottie noticed she had on clothes that looked a little like the ones her dad wore to work, so she figured Jess must work at this place.
"I-I'm Ottie" she said timidly, Ottie was a pretty shy kid. Especially after she met Susan, if Susan can be mean so could anybody else so it took her a while to trust other people.
"Are you looking for the daycare?" Ottie just nodded her head. "Well, I'll take you there. Follow me and stay close don't want you getting lost in the sea of people." Jess started walking in the direction Ottie assumed the daycare was in, so she followed close behind. "Next time you should have your mom drop you off at the daycare, don't want you getting lost."
"Not my mom" Ottie mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Susan. not my mom" Ottie replied back.
"Oh, I'm sorry, next time Susan should drop you off at the daycare." The rest of the walk was silent.