Back to School
Jane answered Thora's call like always, but today was different. Summer vacation was over, and now that it was nine in the morning, all three of her kids were away at their respective schools. DW and Kate were at Lakewood Elementary and Arthur was starting his second year of middle school. This left her nest empty, and while it was quiet, she had some concerns.
"Jane, I'm glad you could answer. I didn't know what you'd be doing this morning," Thora smiled.
"Oh? What makes you say that?" Jane asked.
Thora laughed, "I've been there, Jane. You know exactly what I'm talking about. DW called me last night to ask if she'd have to walk the baby to class. I told her she did or I would never make my famous cookies for her again."
"Hmm, that explains why she was so eager to help. I would've gone myself, but I just...I couldn't do it," Jane sighed.
Thora nodded, "It's not easy having kids and letting them go, but we have to. Besides, now she'll have more fun things to tell you about. She'll make new friends and learn new things. Soon she'll have the tears too. That always comes eventually, but you'll get through it. Just enjoy the ride."
"It's hard to do that when it involves leaving your kids with strangers all day."
"I remember. Back in our day we were completely disconnected from our kids. If you worked, you wouldn't see them until after five o'clock most nights, sometimes later. You could just leave them at home alone too, even if you only had one child and they were Kate or DW's age. Just think of how things have changed. Now you can use the school's website to watch the kids in their classrooms if you know the password. I've gotten it for DW and I'll ask Kate for hers tonight when I come over to help with dinner," Thora smiled.
"And I can talk to their teachers whenever using their program online," Jane whispered. She sighed, "It is a lot easier, but I still can't get any work done. I just...I don't even know how I feel."
"You feel like a mom," Thora said firmly, "and it's how you should feel. Have another cup of coffee, unless you're already on Cup 2 or Cup 3, then try to work on something. You told me you had some files to look over for a local company looking for a merger, plus David will need his payroll soon."
"Very true," Jane nodded. "I guess I'll let you go then."
Jane ended her call with Thora and settled in at her desk. The files for the merger were spread everywhere, and nearly every document open on her laptop had to do with them. In a small file box at her feet were David's time sheets for the past two weeks. He would need payroll done within the next three days in order to get checks out in time.
So she settled into her work, not that she wanted to. Any time she stopped she thought of her children, but then she remembered her responsibilities and got back to work. She kept doing this until she heard the familiar sound of a school bus stopping outside.
Kate and DW ran into the house asking for treats. Jane didn't have anything to offer except granola bars, at least until the doorbell rang. Thora had arrived with two plates of cookies and a half gallon of fresh milk. The girls settled in with their grandmother and told her about their day as Jane listened on. Maybe this whole school thing wasn't so bad after all.
~End
Theme 58: Feeling Blue [from my updated Infinite Theme List. See my deviantArt account for the full list]
For the collab series Slice of Life
A/N: Just a little slice of life. I decided to focus on one of the adults for once, but whenever you discuss a parent, the kids leak in. I likely won't do anything else with this, but if you have an idea you'd like to try, just let me know and I'll let you:)
Instant update: There's a part 2 coming from Thora's POV:D I may even do some others with this, but Thora's part will probably be the last. If that changes, I'll let you know in her chapter.