A Father's Love

by Rebekah Mason

This is written in memory of my Grandpa Joe and how he would treat me as a baby, along with other memories of the grandfathers in my life (one of which has been a Father figure to me since I was little). I think with all that's going on in the world right now, we need this very adorable fluff piece.

8. Kassi isn't going to be a lawyer

It was the summer of 1966, and Kassi was going into her junior year of high school when Perry and Della got the biggest shock of her life, outside of her and Charlie.

"I don't know how you're going to take this but… I don't want to go into law in college."

Perry looked at Kassi they were out for a morning walk before Perry left for the office, something they'd done since she got into high school.

"If you don't want to go into law, then what is it that you want to do?"

Perry asked calmly, even though he was sincerely hurt hearing that his daughter didn't want to be a lawyer like him as Kassi nodded,

"I want to be a teacher Daddy. Specifically, those with intellectual impairments, I see how they're being treated by their fellow students and its horrible. I want to change that."

Perry nodded,

"Does Mama know?"

Kassi shook her head,

"Charlie doesn't know either, I've been talking with Aunt Gertie. She's seen me help Charlie with his schoolwork and has always told me that I'd be a good teacher."

Perry chuckled,

"Your Aunt Gertie isn't wrong in saying that. I had an inkling that you'd want to do something in education. I think Mama would be proud to have a teacher in the family. Especially if you go into special education. You've got your mother's patience and kindness. I think you'll thrive and change the system at least in the school you work at. I can't wait to see what happens. You've got my blessing, Kassandra."

Kassi blushed. Perry rarely used Kassi's full first name unless she was in trouble or if he was exceptionally proud of her, like he was at the moment.

"Mama, can we talk in the kitchen before you and Daddy leave?"

Kassi asked Della when they got home as Della nodded,

"Sure, what is it sweetheart?"

Kassi bit her lip as Perry went to shower and get ready for work,

"I'm not going to law school for college."

Kassi quickly spat out as she looked down as Della looked to her daughter in surprise,

"Wait, what?"

Kassi sighed,

"I want to be a special education teacher. After seeing how their fellow students go at each other … It's not fair! I see that becoming a special education teacher myself will allow me to change the system that the kids are treated fairly by their peers."

Della sat back and listened as her mind took her back to seeing how gentle Kassi was in helping her little brother with his schoolwork and hearing her complain, nearly everyday about how poorly the special education kids are being treated by their fellow students as she nodded.

"Does Daddy know?"

Kassi nodded,

"I just told him and he supports me. I hope that you'll do the same. In fact, he told me that you'd be proud to have a teacher in the family and more so if I went into special education."

Della sighed as she hugged Kassi tightly with a kiss to her forehead and nodded,

"I am exceptionally proud that you want to go into education and are willing to help those poor kids in the special education program. I had a feeling that you never wanted to become a lawyer anyways."

Kassi smiled and hugged Della before Perry walked back in with a smile, happy to see his wife coming to accept Kassi's career choice.

He was proud of Kassi, she was his daughter. Willing to do anything in her power to change/eliminate any injustice that she saw.