23.
"Thanks for picking me up Fran."
Gracie croaked out the words as Fran met her in the nurse's room in her school.
Fran sat down her handbag on one of the waiting chairs and rushed up to Mr. Sheffield's youngest, giving her a most comforting hug.
"Aw, you poor baby," crooned out Fran as she looked at her painful expression.
She felt the little girl's forehead and cheeks in a motherly-like fashion.
"How do you feel?"
"Not so good," answered Grace, her face scrunching in.
A rather plump nurse with dark skin and curly brown hair came over to them from across the room. She had a genuine, caring smile on her face.
"I think you should take her home and let her get some rest and if she still feels bad, then I suggest you take her to a doctor," she advised.
"Oh, I will," agreed Fran.
"I know I really shouldn't miss school this early in the beginning of the school year—I mean, it's only September, but I can't help being sick," proclaimed Gracie, feeling utmost regret.
Fran chuckled to herself at Grace's response. How many times had she given anything just to miss school? Faking pain… missing the bus… putting a heating pad on her head… pretend nausea… the list went on and on. Even during school, Fran had always somehow ended up conning the nurse into thinking she was ill. This way she was able to get the opportunity to rest for quite a while on the cot in the health room by the time her mother came by to pick her up. Yet, this small girl had remorse for being sick and missing half a day. Unlike Fran, Gracie was all about her educational experience.
"Oh honey, don't worry about it. C'mon, let's get ya home."
"I'm gonna go get a drink," announced Grace, and with their okay, she walked out to take a quick sip from the water fountain in the school hallway.
Meanwhile, the nurse gave Fran a clipboard to sign Gracie out. Fran gave her signature on the line and handed the clipboard back.
"It's so nice for Gracie to have such a concerned nanny," complimented the nurse.
"Thank you... and goodbye now!" replied Fran sweetly as she went to go meet Gracie out in the hall.