September 30, 1977

I'd gotten used to KJ being away until the middle of the afternoon after a few weeks. Of course, I'd get worried about how he was doing during the day every once in a while, but I'd do my best to try and ignore my personal nerves and go by the fact that KJ's a good kid- and it helped that the school was supposed to call the parents if something was ever wrong or if something bad had happened with their child.

I'd be a liar if I said that life wasn't a bit less hectic with KJ being in school. Since I would leave the radio station a little after elven in the morning, probably eleven-thirty the latest, I'd drive to Mrs. Mathews by twelve to pick up Sky, then drive back into town to go and pick up KJ at preschool. But now that he'd be at the school till two-thirty in the afternoon every day, I didn't have to rush around to go and pick up KJ then go and get Sky. It was really a time saver.

I'm not saying that I don't love having my kids around- cause I do, obviously- but everyone needs a break sometimes… especially when you have two kids, aged five and two and a half.

For the morning, Sky was with Keilah and Emmett. The two had been going out for almost a year now, and were still as infatuated with each other like they saw each other for the first time. Both families had gained the respect of the opposite family. Granted, Emmett's father- Tony Washington- was still a bit hesitant at times since we were white, but he could tolerate us and be civilized with us. He still seemed conflicted with the rest of us, but that he was slowly- but surely- easing when he was with us. We'd decided to be gentle around him, and let him fully get comfortable with us when he was good and ready- especially since there was a good chance that he'd end up being in-laws with us.

Sky and KJ really liked to be with Emmett and Keilah. It was actually really cute to see the four together, especially since there was a very large possibility of Emmet eventually becoming their uncle in the future. I mean, it's completely obvious how much those two are in love with each other, so we all could totally see the two getting married and starting a family together in the near future. They were young, they were in love, and they weren't afraid of the garbage they'd get from the rest of the world cause he's black and she's white.

Once it was twenty minutes to two-thirty, I left the house and drove toward the kindergarten. I put Sky in her seat in the back, making sure she was secure in the seat, then drove off. It took about ten minutes to drive there, and another five minutes to find a parking spot. Once I parked the car, I took Sky out from the backseat and held her hand tight as we walked into the building and to the classroom. By the time we got there, the class had ended, and children were already being released to their parents.

As KJ ran out, his teacher- Miss Emily Bower- walked out behind him. She looked over all the children in her class with a smile. She then walked up to me as KJ slipped on his sweater and backpack, then started to play around and do things in attempt to make Sky laugh, in which he succeeded. I smiled at the scene in front of me as the teacher walked over to me.

"Hello, Mrs. Mathews," Miss Bower greeted happily, "They're such precious children."

I gave a proud smile as I glanced at the two playing. "Thanks," I smiled, "I'm really lucky to have them. So, how's KJ doin' in school?"

"He's doing good. I actually wanted to talk to you, though, once all the students have been picked up in about ten to fifteen minutes. Can you just wait here a little while?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll just wait outside on the playground with Sky and KJ." When she nodded, I then took the two outside, and let them run around on the playground- KJ in the larger park, and Sky in the smaller park.

While I waited, Marilyn had come by to pick up Mariah. I'd asked her if she could watch KJ and Sky while I talked with their teacher. She agreed, and let them play around the playground with both DT and Mariah. I gave a small smile and a quick 'thanks' before running inside the school to meet the teacher at the front steps of the school building. Once I reached the front door, she led me to her office, and I sat down a bit uneasily, nervous of what she had to say.

"Is something wrong with KJ?" I asked as I sat down in front of the desk.

Miss Bower shook her head as she sat down in her seat behind the desk. "No, not really," she answered, "I just wanted to ask you about something."

"Ok, go ahead."

"Does KJ read at home? Before he ever started attending school here and after?"

I thought for a moment. "Actually, yeah. At the beginning of summer this year, he wanted to read a few comics and stories with me and my husband, so we taught him how to read and write a little."

Miss Bower looked displeased. "That's what I thought…"

I gave a look of both confusion and worry. "Why? Is that a problem?"

"Yes and no," Miss Bower answered honestly, "You see, we have a specific and very strict curriculum in which we follow here, especially when teaching the kindergarteners how to read and write. We prefer to use that specific system to teach them, and to be honest, we prefer for the parents not to use another system or technique when the children are still learning how to read. This way, the child will not get confused in any way, shape or form."

"What're you sayin'?" I asked, "That we should stop teachin' him how to read and write?"

"In a way, yes. I only say this because I don't want KJ to get confused between the proper way of reading, and the way you and your husband might read."

I raised an eyebrow. "The way me and my husband read? How do you mean that?"

"Well, I know you both didn't actually attend and finish school, so I really don't think the two of you are fit for teaching KJ how to read."

That's when I felt my blood begin to boil. Did I know that Keith didn't officially finish high school or attend college? Of course I knew. Did I know that I didn't officially finish college? Or that I wasn't the greatest student throughout the school? Of course- but what did any of that have to do with teaching my child? It's not like we were teaching him biochemistry to turn him into the next child Einstein. He's five years old and wanted to read with us, so we taught him how to read a bit.

"Are you implying me and my husband are too dumb to teach our son anythin'?" I asked, the edge of my voice as sharp as a knife.

Miss Bower seemed to panic a bit now. "No, not exactly," she stuttered.

"Cause it sure seems that way to me. Now if you wanna call me and my husband stupid, go ahead, I don't care. But when you start bringin' my kids into it, that's where I draw the line. I know me and my husband aren't the brightest people around, book wise- he owns part of a car repair garage with our family, and I'm a DJ at the radio station- but we're not stupid, at least when it comes to morals and raising our kids. And if you can stand there and say that our book smarts do have any affect on our parenting skills and how we raise and teach our kids, then you could just take your claim and shove it!"

Miss Bower continued to look at me, eyes wide out of fear and shock at my sudden rant. Her mouth gaped open, trying to find the words to say in response to my outburst.

I stood up hastily from my seat, an angry expression formed over my facial features. "Now if you excuse me," I said, "I'm goin' to go read my children a story."

I stomped out from the classroom, down the hallway, and out the door. I stood for a moment once I got outside, trying to locate Marilyn with the kids on the playground. When I saw her with the four kids on one side of the playground all together, I walked over to them and over to where Marilyn was standing. We stood together as they children ran around a blank area of the playground, both smiling at the four kids playing happily with each other. I slightly envied their complete oblivion to anything wrong in the world. The two of us walked over to the closest bench by where the kids played, our eyes on them at all times.

"How'd it go with Miss Bower?" Marilyn asked out of genuine curiosity.

I continued to look forward as the four kids ran around playing. "Just great," I answered in a flat and monotone voice.

First, I want to apologize for skipping the two week update this month, but updates should continue every two weeks like usual at this point. Let me explain in simple statements what has been going on in my life lately, both good and bad, that will hopefully give insight to certain things as reason for my absence (things may be out of order, but you'll get the gist of it):

Writers block. Apartment problems. Housing problems. Family issues. Thankful about job layoffs. Finding Dory. Independence Day (the first film). Independence Day: Resurgence. The Fourth of July. VBS church planning. Rewriting of my own story. Family visits. Birthdays. Wedding anniversaries. Barbecues. College searching. Job hunting. Wayward Pines. Short stories. Reading. Go Set a Watchman. The Godfather (book, not film). Gift searching. Personal issues. Skit practicing. Goodbye lunches. Apartment hunting. Future planning. Family visiting.

I think that's all, in simple statements without getting into details.

Anyway, like I said, updates should be every other week as usual, unless something happens.

Ok, that's it. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, happy late Fourth of July, and peace from all the hippies of the world.