"Aren't you asleep yet Sofia?"
"I was hoping to stay awake until Mama comes home."
"Well don't, she might not be home for hours, and when she is she'll want to spend time with me not you. Just go to bed Sofia." Penny told the little girl and she sighed, turning off her light. She hadn't seen her mama at all since Sunday and today was Wednesday, and it had been 2 months since she had seen her mommy. She FaceTimed and talked on the phone often, but Penny always felt the need to 'supervise' so she couldn't even be truthful to mommy. Because Penny was always there. So she had to say Penny was nice, and school was good, and mama was home a lot and happy. Even though none of those things were true. Penny was mean, school was okay, the work was fine she just didn't really have any friends. She missed Zola and her teacher was nice but kept getting annoyed at her for things that weren't even Sofia's fault, And her mama was hardly ever home. And whenever she was she didn't smile so much. Not like she did back home in Seattle. Mama always said that New York was Sofia's home now but it didn't feel like it. It felt like Seattle was still home.
Sofia was woken up by her mama the next morning. "Mama, you're here. I missed you, are you taking me to school today?"
"I missed you too Sof baby, and yes I'm taking you to school. Penny had to work early. I'm making pancakes, so pick out your clothes but don't get changed. I know what you're like for getting syrup all down your top." Callie told Sofia with a kiss to her head and a chuckle.
"Only a small one please Mama." Sofia requested as she sat down at the table. "Are you feeling okay Sofia? You usually have quite a few bigger ones."
"I'm fine, just not super hungry." Sofia answered. It wasn't entirely true. A few nights ago Penny had commented on Sofia's genes and appetite, both her biological mother and father were a healthy size but not super slim like Penny herself and as she explained, Sofia had a large appetite for a small girl and if she wasn't careful she would get fat, and she couldn't be fat if she wanted to be a gymnast. Sofia quietly ate her solitary pancake with a lot less syrup and butter then usual then scampered off to her room to get ready for the day. Callie was a little concerned about Sofia but she hadn't seemed ill and so she let it go for now. She wasn't even eight so- at least Callie though- she wouldn't be worrying about her weight. Not yet.
"Good morning Sofia, how nice to see you, at the correct time, being dropped off properly."
"Good Morning Miss Carlson." Sofia smiled at her young brunette second grade teacher. "Go and put your backpack and jacket away Sofia. Mrs Torres could we have a quick chat?"
"It's doctor and yes. So long as it's quick. I've got to get to work."
"I apologise Dr Torres. I'm a little concerned about Sofia."
"She fine." Callie interrupted on the defensive. "I'm sure she is." Vanessa Carlson responded "but may I tell you my concerns so you can help put my mind at rest, as I have no children of my own yet, I consider my students mine and care for them deeply." She continued and Callie nodded. "I'm not concerned at all about her school work. She is consistently one of the top 3 students in the class across all subjects. However, she's often late or early to school. As you should be aware, our morning rule is that the children can play in the school yard but must be supervised until I call them in. Sofia is often late and alone, there have also been a few occasions when I arrive here- over an hour early and Sofia has been alone in the school yard reading. Once in the snow too."
"What, why didn't you mention this before? It's not snowed for a while now." Callie asked
"I spoke to Sofia and her other mother who assured me it wouldn't happen again."
"Her other mother? In Seattle?" Callie asked
"No the lady with the red hair? She drops Sofia off most mornings, or at least sits in the car while Sofia gets out."
"Oh Penny, she's my girlfriend, not Sofia's mother. I'll talk to her. She suddenly has a 7 year old in her life so probably doesn't realise that Sofia has to be supervised. We obviously had a lot more freedom than that when we were Sof's age."
"Of course, my other concern is that Sofia is quite shy and reserved. It's never easy for a child to join a new school but it's been a while now and she seems to be struggling to make friends. She's a pleasant and polite child, and as much as I like to see children enjoy reading, as a teacher, it would be nice to see Sofia interact with her classmates a little more. Perhaps you could encourage Sofia to invite some round for a play date. There are plenty of sweet children in the class that I'm sure she would get along with."
"Okay thank you, I'll talk to Penny about the mornings and Sofia about play dates."
"Thank you Dr Torres."
Callie was thinking about what the teacher had said as she drove to the hospital. Sofia hasn't really worried too much about friends in Seattle because she had Zola. They'd known each other since they were babies and since their parents worked together they were practically built in best friends. They were together every day at school and usually had play dates at least twice a week, even if often it was just logistically depending on her, Arizona, Meredith, Maggie and Amelia's work schedules. Sofia had struggled a little when Meredith moved a way for a while after Derek's death, but Sofia was so young at that point that she had a few other little friends in Seattle. Now, in New York, Sofia did gymnastics, and she'd never expressed an interest of meeting any of her teammates outside of practice or competitions.
Callie had a pretty quiet day at work. She's missed Seattle Grace where she ran her department. Her workplace here was much bigger and had a huge ortho department, meaning she was no longer head of ortho, her main cases now were knee and hip replacements and consults on kids with broken arms in the ER. But she needed to deal with it, she'd known this was the case when she'd taken the job. Another thing about being just an attending rather than head of ortho is she'd had no say in her shifts, meaning, it felt like she barely ever saw Sofia these days. She was thankful that Penny's research meant she was working more normal hours.
Today however, call was able to pick up Sofia from school.
"Hey Sof, so I had a chat with Miss Carlson this morning."
"Am I in trouble?" Sofia asked.
"No of course not sweetie, Miss Carlson told me how well you're doing in all your schoolwork. She told me you're often late in the mornings though."
"Yeah. Penny always complains that she has to get up early to take me to school, and she doesn't want to take me to school then go back to the apartment for only half an hour or get to work super early so she just says she'll drop me off late. She says it doesn't matter because I'm already smart. It's just annoying because Miss Carlson gets a little annoyed at me but like I can't go to school by myself. I'm only seven and three quarters! And I can't drive or take the subway alone!" Sofia explained. And Callie smiled "Miss Carlson also suggested that maybe we should invite one of your classmates over for a play date"
"I wanted to a bit ago. I wanted to invite Ella.
But then Penny said I should wait until we're more settled. Are we settled enough for me to invite Ella or Aubrey now?"
"Of course, and if you want to invite any of your gym teammates that would be great. When did you ask Penny about Ella?"
"I dunno, maybe like a month ago?"
"Okay, I'm dropping you off at school tomorrow do you think you could point out Ella and Aubrey's moms for me?"
"I can for Aubrey, Ella's grandma drops her off at school."
"Okay great. I will organise something. Have you got any homework."
"Nope, can I go watch the zoo programme?"
"Of course sweetie."
The mother and daughter had a lovely evening watching multiple animal documentaries. After Callie tucked her little girl in bed, Sofia quietly opened her backpack and took her notebook out. She opened it to the first page and added a line I am doing well in school. This means my homework is easy so I would have time to walk a dog. It was her book of lists, the first list was reasons I should be allowed a dog
"So. Sof's teacher spoke to me today. She said Sof is often late to school." Callie told her girlfriend.
"We all know the first 20 minutes of elementary school is just faffing, kids putting their backpacks away, taking their coats off, doing a spot the difference or something. She doesn't miss anything, and even if she did, she's smart she's fine."
"That's not really the point Penny. Can you work on getting her there on time?"
"It's just an awkward time for me."
"I know but dating me, inviting me to come here to New York you knew I had a daughter, you knew Sofia would be part of our life, and to be honest I'm more concerned about you dropping her off an hour early in the snow." Callie explained trying to keep a lid on her temper. "She was fine. She had a hat, scarf, mittens and that super long coat. I was called in for an emergency, what was I meant to do?"
"Call Janice upstairs, with Ethan and Joshua. She can take Sofia one off if needed. I've taken her boys in before. Doesn't work regularly, before you suggest that, because the boys spend a lot of time with their dad. If Janice can't call Abbie or Claire." Callie mentioned the two collage aged girls who often babysat Sofia. "And if they can't, and don't suggest anyone, you don't go in. Sofia has to come first. It's not appropriate to leave a 7- year-old by herself, especially not outside in the snow.