Abigail: Class Work
Friday, January 8th, 2010“I can’t!” she whined and tried to fit the pieces together. “They just won’t go.” The rest of the class knew she was being difficult. She was always pretending that the pieces could connect in different ways and that she could design and build the structures rather than follow the instructions to make the good ones she was supposed to build. This was absolute silliness and they all just wished she would do as she was told. It was to be recess soon and they didn’t want to be kept in again.
“Everything must be in its place,” the teacher replied, “and every piece must fit as it should. You know how they fit. Now do it right. Don’t make me call your mother, again.”
The girl paused, tears still welling in her eyes. When they first called her mother she was glad they did. Her mother had always been there for her and she expected her teacher and principal would soon get a very stern talking to like she did when she made her sand castles in the living room using up the last of her mothers potting soil. Things were different, though. This school was different. “You’re there to learn, Abigail,” her mother was angry with her but there was tremor in her voice as well. Abigail didn’t know that parents could be afraid or else she may recognized it. “Stop playing foolish games and do the work. If you want to be anything you have to follow instructions.” She had tried to argue. She tried to tell her mother that the pictures in her head were so much more beautiful and that she could make things, real things that shimmered like butterflies and moved and danced. Her mother wouldn’t listen, though. “Please, Abby, enough with this foolishness. Just do what Mrs. Anders tells you.”
And there Mrs. Anders was, glaring down at the girl daring her to break the rules. Abigail turned the pieces over and slid them together until a soft click was heard. The class cheered and Mrs. Anders actually smiled. “See my dear, you could do it. I knew you could. You get a gold star. I am sure your mother will be quite proud.”
Abigail smiled happily and took her gold star from Mrs. Anders. She placed carefully in the square on her chart and took her seat.
Today was going to be a good day.
