That’s what I said to Caitlin tonight, just around dinner time.
I went to pick her up today from school; grand parents are away on overseas holiday and I was the logical choice for this privilege. Before Caitlin came out one of the teachers greeted me with “Caitlin was good in gym today”. Oh yeah? I thought, not really sure what she meant. Out came Caitlin accompanied by her class teacher, who immediately started saying words like “I had wanted to call you”, “But Caitlin said no need; Daddee is picking me up today..”
I wasn’t really paying attention to her cos I had just seen Caitlin. My immediate thought was: That looks like dried nosebleed, between her nose and bottom lip. Why hasn’t anyone wiped it away?? But soon, it became clearer what had happened, when more teacher-words were heard.
“Gym class”, “spider-walk”, “Caitlin was looking sideways at a friend”, “slipped”, “hit the pavement with face”.
I kneeled down for better look. My baby looked so pitiful; she had certainly been crying- gym class is quite early in her day and it was already end of school now. I looked closer, it all looked superficial. I couldn’t tell what had happened to her lower lip- there was dried peeled skin at both corners but the middle didn’t really looked chaffed. What was dried-blood-coloured I guessed is abrasion-bruising.
More teacher-words: “Lucky didn’t hit her teeth..” which I confirmed was so, upon closer inspection and talking to Caitlin.
We then proceeded with the plans for the day. I was held up at a meeting and was late to get lunch first before picking her, so she had to tag along while I did that. Poor kid just wasn’t in the mood for anything. When I eventually found a park near the shops, she asked if she could play some iPhone games in the car. Trusting her from previous experience, I agreed and she locked the doors promising not to touch the gearstick.
I should have known better to get something other than what she asked for: Soupy noodles. Hot soupy noodles that would only aggravate her bruised lips.
At home I made sure I threw away most of the soup, leaving only enough that it is still a soupy noodle. Had the ceiling fan on high, and at least she still enjoyed it, slowly.
In all, things were back on schedule despite my mad rush back from KLIA to pick her and lunch. The tuition teacher came, and they proceeded as planned.
After class she lazed around. I had planned on going to exchange the window contact sheet I bought yesterday from Ace hardware for another design (my parents’ new place has glazed shower windows that are still quite SEE THROUGH, especially at night) and insisted she completed whatever homework she has first. That wasn’t a bad experience; luckily her mood had somewhat improved. Probably cos she knew we were gonna go out soon. She loves malls!
Back at my parents’, before dinner she had wanted to cycle for a little while. This being the only time she could cos the ‘cycles are at my parents’ because of the bigger space they have. When dinner was ready, I went out to call the kids back in. Turned my back and I hear a yelp following by crying. Caitlin’s bicycle was toppled over and she was hands and knees over it. Apparently she had fallen cheek-to-handle contact, close to the gym-class bruise site.
I checked, I think it may bruise a little too.
After dinner she helped to unwrap the contact sheet packaging. Instead of just splitting the end and pulling out the roll at the top, she slide her finger along the length of the hard plastic. Yup, she got an equivalent of a papercut.
Now I think that teacher was trying to play down the extent of the “damage”.
Certainly not a good day at all. Throughout, she was exhibiting a sigh-roll-eyes body language, as close as what a 6 year old could muster.
