WWUD: What Whould You Do?

I left my house this morning bang on time, but as I stepped out towards the car I noticed the neighbors kid standing on the snow filled curb....just standing. It looked odd as usually by the time we leave all the kids are already on some random school bus.

As I "stuffed" Baby C in the back seat, I looked over at the girl as she went across the street to ring the door bell of another neighbor. By the time I made it to the drivers side she was back standing in the same spot as before...just standing.

I looked at her long and hard, long enough so if she needed help she could say something, but she didn't. I stood and took my coat off once again giving her the chance if she wanted to...then I couldn't hold it in any more and I asked her if she was ok. As I fixed my mouth to ask her she was already walking to me and cried she'd missed her school bus.

I said to myself "Phew, it's just a missed school bus" I was terrified it was more than that.

I don't really know this little girl as she's two houses down and I really only know the neighbors right next to me on either side and right across the street.

But I still asked her if she wanted me to give her a ride to school.

I was partially hoping she'd say no as that would indicate to me that she'd be willing to get into a strangers car.

But then I was partially hoping she'd say yes as there was NO WAY I could just drive off leaving her there.

She said yes and hoped in. We didn't say anything for a good while....then I reminded myself as uncomfortable as I felt, I was the adult, it was my job to make her feel ok.

I found out she was 12 but she's so tiny she could pass for 9 or so.

I found out the name of her school, but I had no idea where it was. It's one of those stupid intermediate schools that only caters for 6th grade so I wasn't familiar with it like the elementary, middle or high school.

I also found out that she had no clue of even the street name that her school was on.

I also found out that tomorrow is her last day before the Christmas break and that's why she was hiking in two big old Christmas bags that were so heavy that they made her miss her bus.

But I also found out that even though her last day is tomorrow she has no clue when she goes back.....she said "June or something"....I figured she only recalled that the month began with the letter "J" and I prompted her that maybe it as "January".

I also found out that at 12 she has no clue of stranger danger as she proceeded to tell me that her sisters birthday is in April and she will be 16 and that her brothers birthday is in June and he will be 11. That she will attend middle school next year and that she'll be able to walk to school (hmm I'm not sure about that one!).

I also found out that, either she is really immature for her age or my step daughter whose the same age, is wise beyond her years. (I actually think it's the latter as all 12 year old seem a little slow to me when I meet them as the only person I have to compare them to is my step daughter).

The little girl talked to me as if she knew me. She started off talking about how the middle school has a ghost because of ..."you know the lady her spirit is still there?". I asked her "What lady" and she responded "I don't know, you know the lady!". I don't think even my 3 year old speaks in such disconnected sentences....it was very strange.

I also found out that her father would be very upset that she missed the bus. I wondered if her father would also be out of his mind scared that she took a ride from a complete stranger.

Anyway we finally got her to her school, and I realized it was back behind a house we nearly bought. It's a beautiful school, looks like a big boarding school, it has a beautiful majestic presence on the street and I'm clueless as to why it's only used for one grade.

As she got out of my car and walked over to the crossing guard I felt a sense of completion. I know completion sounds like a strange word to describe such an experience. But it was as if she was my child in the true meaning of "It takes a village to raise a child". I didn't pull off until she had crossed the street and her body language let me know she was ok, she was safe, she was her 'complete' self.

Her tiny little frame lugged her back pack, and two Christmas bags into school and Baby C and I went on our way.

As we drove off Baby C said....."Mommy when I grow big I want to go on a school bus!"

I sighed deeply, praying that if she missed her school bus one day ...what would she do?