Chapter Text
'Baby, La Huerca's teacher left a message on my voicemail that she needs a conference with us. Did you get one?", Sullivan asks
Andrea. (Huerca is a term of endearment for bratty, unruly/disruptive, though Angelica is none of those).
'First, she isn't a huerca ; second I did not get a voicemail from the teacher. I can get her from school, have the conference,
and verify that I'm still listed as a POC on her files.'
'She IS a huerca and Thass a plan', Robert agrees and kisses her goodbye.
Andrea makes notes to also very that her parents and the RIPLEY'S are listed on Angi's contact and emergency list, and packs snacks
and juice for the bebita for afterward.
/
~AT ANGELICA'S SCHOOL, ANGELICA SULLIVAN-HERRERA'S KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM~
"Hi; I'm Ms. Hocksteter," a fortyish brunette said, clasping Andy's hand loosely and quickly releasing it.
"Andrea Herrera-Sullivan", Andrea responded, purposefully dropping the 'H' and rolling the 'rr'...she wants to gauge this woman's reaction.
An exasperated expression briefly flitted across the kindergarten teacher's pinched face; the frown deepened when Angelica rushed up
to the pair and exclaimed loudly (as four year old's do) "íMi dibujo, Mami...MAMI !", thrusting a sheet of drawing paper toward
her mother with what MIGHT be a cow. (my drawing Mom).
"Quieta Usted; ve: tráeme más dibujos, Corazon ." (Calm down you and bring me more drawings [Usted is the formal of you,
often used in Latino culture when addressing young children, elderly people or parents, or bosses). As her daughter scampered off, Andrea
turns to Mrs. Hocksteter with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. Your message-left on her Dad's voicemail?"
"Errrm...yes...I, errrm...I actually need to speak with the child's parents or guardians; privacy concerns. You understand," the woman said
with a nasty, almost triumphant hint of glee in her voice and on her face. "I simply couldn't release such sensitive information to a babysitter or
Nanny ."
[HOLD UP-did this BITCH just call me a BABYSITTER or NANNY???] Andrea thinks to herself, incredulous. Yet, she determines not to lose her
composure in front of her daughter. At that moment, Angi ran back, shouting "íMAMI-mira mi tarea...es mi tarea, Mom ! (Mom,
my homework; it's my homework Mom)
Holding up her index finger Andrea turns to her child: "Angelita: ya le dije que no grite; aparte-pratica su Inglés, por favor ."
(Little Angel: I've told you not to yell ['le' is used the same as 'Usted']; also practice your English please).
"OK, Mami. I mean: Soowy, Mommy."
"You're fine, Bebita." To the teacher, she says "Sorry-she won't interrupt again...you were saying something about you need to speak with
her parents or guardian? Alright", she says and waits.
Mrs. Hocksteter replies (somewhat rudely) "What do you mean 'alright'? I can't give you the information! Do you not understand?! Now If you'll
excuse me..."
"I'M HER MOTHER, Babotas !" (stupid/silly/foolish)
Huffily, the racist says "YOU?!! Surely you expect me to believe-"
Angelita says to Andrea "Mommy, I hungwy, Mommy. I wanna go Daddy."
"Here Mama-eat this." She hands the child a granola bar after unwrapping it, which she eagerly tears into. "Ma'am...your system of beliefs
is between you and your Klan membership-this child has referred to me as 'Mommy' multiple times; she clearly recognizes me, and to
satisfy any further doubts she says to Angelita "Angi...who am I?"
With a puzzled frown, the baby dutifully replies "Mi Mamá ...I mean my Mommy."
Andrea angrily scrolls through the photos on her mobile and shows the woman a series of pictures of her, Robert, and Angelica in the
Grey Sloan's maternity ward, their home, and birthday parties one through four, and with baby Lucio. "You know: who's your supervisor!??
Forget it...KCISD (King County Independent School District) needs to know about this!! Vamos, Bebita!"
Her face pale, Hocksteter hurried after them, calling "Ms. Herrea! PLEASE WAIT; I apologize! Ms. Herrera!"
"I don't accept your apology! Save it for the School Board!" Andrea doesn't even bother to turn around.
From her car seat Angelita asks "¿Mami...es mi culpa ?" (literal translation 'is it my fault; in this case simply did I do something?)
" No corazón-de ninguna manera, mi vida...¿no se preocupe, OK. Y practica su Inglés, pr favor ." (No my heart-no way...
don't worry. And practice your English, please)
"OK. (what a good little girl!) My Daddy's in my house?"
"Yes; your Daddy should be in your house, Monkey."
Angelica giggles. "I not a monkey, Mommy!."
"You are too Mommy and Daddy's monkey: oooo; ahhhh ahhh, ooo oooo!"
"Mommy, you're SILLY!" the baby laughs.