Guardian IX

I have to admit that this parenting gig is getting more difficult as it goes. I had assumed that after the loaded diaper stage, it would be clear sailing until the dating years but I was wrong.

No, there were a lot of hurdles in store for me. This was just the latest one.

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The bit's school was holding its first Open House so that the parents could make contact with the teachers. Sensible idea that but not doable for a practicing vampire. How in the bloody hell was I gonna pull the whole very-human-single-daddy gig on a bunch of teachers?

Bollocks.

There was no way around it so I began to plan. After taking a good long look in the mirror (and seeing nothing since I am a vamp), I decided that my image needed to undergo some 'modifications'. Leather and silver just wasn't gonna cut it for the educational gang.

Brooks Bros. and Armani were just out of my budget so I decided to go for preppy but affordable. Banana Republic with a hint of Aldo. Perfect.

Okay, so I had the 'look', all I needed was the essence.

I had to dig really deep to the William residing inside. I figured that the chap could impress the teaching crowd with his love of poetry, classical music and all those other poncy things. So, as much as it pained me I worked to resurrect my human persona for one more night and hope that it was enough. Memory served me well and within a couple of hours I had the bloody manners and mannerisms of old.

Here goes everything.

I took a deep unneeded breath and set out to do my best by my girl.

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I did very well for all of five minutes. The bit's teacher gave me a faltering smile as I walked into the room. Even with the poofy garb, I stood out amidst a bunch of suburbanites.

Maybe it had something to do with the hair.

I listened intently as the teacher outlined the structure of her class and the concepts that the bit would be exposed to this year. It all seemed harmless enough and I was glad that my nibblet already knew how to read. It would put her ahead of all the tykes.

A few inquisitive parents had questions for the teacher. I chose to keep my mouth shut and act like the concerned-but-not-pushy parent.

My eyes traveled around the colorful room. Pictures of animals done in bright Crayola covered three walls, the remaining one was taken by four large windows. During the day the sunlight would make the colors come alive. No wonder Summer loved being here.

It was tons better than our gloomy apartment.

I sighed loudly. By now the teacher had finished speaking and her attention was diverted towards me. The other parents had spread around and were studying their children's work. I tried my best to look carefree as the bit's teacher approached me with a smile plastered in her too thin face.

"Hello" she said extending her hand. "You must be Mr. Blake. Summer has told me all about you"
I shook her hand and nodded. I guess this would be a good time to get in her good graces. "She is really happy in your class"

The teacher smiled. "Summer is very good student, very bright, attentive and most of all creative. She often entertains her classmates with her unique sense of imagination"

Here it comes.

"However…" she continued "the stories she tells have upset some of the kids. Kids at this age are very impressionable and often have trouble differentiating between reality and fantasy. I know that your daughter does not mean any harm but if you could ask her to be a little more careful with what she chooses to share…"

In retrospect I realize that the teacher herself did not mean any harm but I bristled at her slight censure of a little girl that I considered perfect. Bloody bint.

"Well ma'am…" I hissed. "Here I was under the impression that American schools prized individuality and creativity. I guess this isn't so in your classroom since you are asking me to put a limit to my daughter's imagination"

"That's not what I …" the teacher stammered.
"It isn't? You could have fooled, especially when you have just indicated that you think that Summer's stories could harm the really "impressionable" kids. The thing is that I bet you that these children that you refer to see a lot more negative things are home"

"That may be but I least I can keep them from being exposed to them here"

"Bloody hell lady, lighten up. My girl is just a lot more original than these mini-representatives of the conformist majority. I say that maybe you should encourage these kids to be as candid and creative as my pet"

That shut her up. Another parent caught her eye and she excused herself. I hoped that she wouldn't take it out on the bit. If she did I would be forced to bite her.

I left soon after. I guess if she retaliated I could always try home schooling but I wanted the nibblet to have more exposure to other kids and typical kiddy activities. She needed as much normalcy as I could give her.

And I couldn't give her much so she would stay in school. I wouldn't ask her to stop telling her stories that I knew were full of vampires because he guardian was one. It was better for the bit to have to get used to having vampires in her life. It was in her destiny.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

She was asleep when I got back. As usual she slept with one leg wrapped around a pillow. The covers were on the floor. I pulled the soft white blanket over her and rested her head on the other pillow. She had plaited her hair into two very sweet braids. I noticed that her light blonde hair was beginning to darken. No matter… She was still my golden princess.

TBC. Hopefully you are still interested.