"We're home!" 33-year-old Rachel Berry St. James called to her 35-year-old husband, Jesse. Rachel had been picking up the couple's 6-year-old daughter, Olive from school.
"Hello!" Jesse enthusiastically greeted his daughter. He was surprised when Olive, who normally would've leapt right into his arms, gave her father a half-hearted, "hi, Daddy."
"Oli - why don't you go get changed out of your uniform and into something more comfy?" Rachel suggested.
"Okay," Olive replied. Looking down, she made her way up the stairs.
"Is Olive okay?" Jesse asked Rachel, once Olive had left and the two were making their way to the family room to sit down.
"No," Rachel frowned. She was still holding Olive's backpack and once she and Jesse had gotten comfortable on the couch, she handed him a piece of paper she had removed from it.
Jesse read through it.
Grandma Day - Friday, January 8th
Larkin Academy is hosting a Grandma Day for kindergartners on Friday January 8th! Students are invited to bring their grandmothers this Friday for juice, cookies, and games.
"Grandma Day?" Jesse inquired. "That seems unnecessarily specific. I mean, back when I was in school we had Grandparent's Day, but never a day specifically for one grandparent or the other. It doesn't seem fair to the kids whose grandmothers have died or…I mean, Olive does have a grandma technically, but even if I wanted my mother to have anything to do with her - she and Dad are in Venice for the next two weeks," he sighed.
"I know," Rachel replied. "The kids got these flyers last Thursday - I had to find out from Olive's teacher at pickup. She noticed it was still in Olive's Thursday folder when she was adding new handouts for this week. I know the reason Oli didn't tell us is because she doesn't have anyone to take her."
"I wish she had said something sooner - maybe we could've arranged for one of your dads to take her as a stand-in. I doubt we could get them here in time for tomorrow," Jesse said.
"I don't know - they did just get over the flu so traveling would've probably been out of the question for either of them," Rachel said sadly.
"What should we do?" Jesse asked after a moment's pause.
"I was thinking about keeping her home. The thought of her sitting there while watching her classmates have fun with their grandmas is heartbreaking," Rachel said, practically near tears.
"You'd think at the very least they'd have somewhere the kids without grandmas could go," Jesse muttered. He was starting to get angry on Olive's behalf. "I mean, there's nothing wrong with having an event like this - but they should be inclusive of all students."
"I agree," Rachel sighed. "I guess I'll keep her home with me. I was going to go visit - that's it! I'm going to make a quick phone call. I think Olive might be able to go to Grandma's Day after all." Rachel headed off to make the phone call after telling Jesse she'd explain her plan to him once it got all sorted out.
*
The next day, Rachel had dropped a reluctant Olive off at school. Rachel had tried to be as reassuring as possible without giving away the surprise that had been worked out. Her phone call had gone according to plan, and that morning she had sent Olive's teacher an email explaining everything.
Olive made her way to her class and sat down. She couldn't help but overhear the excited conversations happening between her classmates about their grandmothers.
Soon, though, Mrs. Lennox called for everyone's attention and the day began with group time. The grandmas would not be arriving until after lunch.
Olive had had a hard time concentrating during group time, math, reading, and handwriting. Mrs. Lennox recognized this, but had been asked by Rachel not to give anything away. Mrs. Lennox made Olive the line leader for the day, a coveted position, which seemed to make her feel a little better.
After lunch, at 12:30, the grandmothers started trickling in. They joined their respective grandchildren at the tables, as Mrs. Lennox began passing out napkins. Olive was surprised when Mrs. Lennox put two napkins in front of her. Before Olive could say anything however, she heard a voice coming from the doorway.
"Is this Olive St. James' classroom?" The woman at the door asked.
Olive turned and gasped - there in the doorway stood Shelby Corcoran.
Shelby was a good friend of Olive's parents, and she sometimes babysat for Olive. Olive also knew, though she didn't fully understand, that years ago, Shelby had helped her Grandpa Hiram and Grandpa Leroy have a baby (a.k.a. Mommy).
A huge smile broke out on Olive's face.
"I'm over here, Shelby!" Olive waved and the woman joined her at the table. Mrs. Lennox came over with a tray of cookies.
"Olive, would you like pink or yellow frosting?" Mrs. Lennox asked.
"I bet I know," Shelby playfully nudged Olive, who giggled.
"Pink, please," Olive requested.
"And how about you, Ms. Corcoran?" Mrs. Lennox asked Shelby.
"Pink sounds delightful, thank you," Shelby replied.
Mrs. Lennox's aide, Ms. Kipp, came around with apple juice, as Ms. Lennox explained what was going to happen that afternoon.
"You'll have the chance to finish your juice and cookies and chat with one another," Mrs. Lennox began. "Then, Ms. Kipp will read a book to the group and we'll finish off with some Grandma Bingo, how does that sound?"
The students and grandmas responded with enthusiasm and the party continued. Olive and Shelby had so much fun and the pair even won some gift cards during a round of Bingo.
"I'm so glad you could make it!" Olive told Shelby as she hugged the woman goodbye at the end of the celebration.
"Me too, honey," Shelby hugged the child back. "We'll have to go shopping soon with our gift cards!"
Grinning, Olive agreed.