Snake pulled up at the front of Deadwood Elementary on his Harley. It caused a stir but his attention was on the squealing boy in front of him on the seat.
"More rides." Mason squealed.
"Later. You got to go to school." Snake shook his head even as the pout grew.
"But Papaw!"
"No. I'll be back to pick you up after you go to school." Snake kissed his cheek as he pulled off the little helmet. "We'll even get some ice cream without telling mom."
"YAY!" The boy squealed and wrapped his arms around Snake's neck.
"Let's get inside before you're late." Snake picked him up and dismounted the motorcycle. He picked up the small leather backpack. "Ready?"
"Are you coming with me Papaw?"
Snake laughed and started walking toward the school. "I already went to school."
"Today?" The curious eyes were staring up at him in awe.
"Long time ago when I was little like you."
Mason pouted again as they went inside. "You'll be fine."
Plissken looked over the room numbers. He was headed for 111 which he remembered from when he was a kid, 1st grade. Though Mason was here for Preschool in that room.
They arrived and Snake got stuck in with the rest of the parents leading children in to meet the teacher. He could kick Evie for making him do this even if he was excited. Glancing around the hall Snake frowned at all the stares. The whispers got to his temper but he held it in sighing to let off the steam. It seemed like it took forever for the stream of parents to think out enough that he could talk to the teacher.
She was young, short and looked rather shocked when he appeared in front of her.
"Who is this?" She addressed Mason and Snake was fine with being ignored.
"Papaw Snake." Mason squealed.
"Snake is it?" She studied him for a long moment with a curious look before sticking her hand out. "Ellen Thompson."
He glanced around suspiciously and then down at her hand. Aging had made him more suspicious than ever. Finally he took her hand in a firm grip.
"Snake Plissken and this one Mason."
"Grandpas' boy isn't he?'
Snake nodded and went to set Mason down by the table that had his name on it in big letters. The moment his feet touched the ground a wail pierced the room so loud that everyone turned to look.
"Mason, munchkin, I can't stay." Snake knelt down. "I'll be back, promise."
"NOooooo!" There was another wail.
"Mason, buddy, Please." Snake jumped at the hand on his shoulder before looking up.
"Has he spent time away from the family before?" It was Mrs. Thompson who had come up behind him.
"No." Snake answered pulling Mason back into his arms.
"Why don't you stay today and we'll work on this later?"
"Stay?" Snake got wide-eyed at the nod from the teacher.
Plissken sighed heavily and pulled out one of the tiny chair. "Alright."
The moment he sat down it was like the plague of locusts. All the kids were there poking at him, climbing on him. Snake just rolled his eye. It was like home only there were twice as many here.
"Who would have thought?" Ellen giggled behind her hand. "Alright children. Please sit down. Mr. Snake will talk to you all after we finish our work."
Snake glanced between Ellen and the beaming children. Mason bounced in his lap and Snake knew this was going to be a long day.
