January 16th
Richard:
Margaret's only friend in Milton, a nice lady named Bessy, is going through hard times. She lost her job as a messenger because she was absent one time too many, and it pains me that it's my favorite student the instrument of her tragedy.
Margaret told me Bessy is looking for another job and that she wants to help take care of the child. In Margaret's mind this boy is in greater risk of social marginalization because of the mother's unemployment, and she thinks it will be good for him to have someone reinforce the importance of the social institutions, this is, school. Margaret believes that everything must be done for this boy to succeed academically.
I'm not completely sure I agree with her but I don't want to antagonize her either, so everyday at 3.00 PM we have this very young boy come, shy and silent, to spend two hours in our dining room while my daughter makes sure he does his homework. She also feeds him hot cocoa and homemade cookies, and at 5.00 PM has him ready to leave. His mother or grandfather come in a red Vespa, punctual, and whisk him away. Poor little boy.