greydayss: "For Japril Marshmallow Fluff Project: Love the title of the project! Though we are not sure about the gender of the baby I will just say boy for my prompt- Jackson buying matching Nike's/shoes for his son and starts to teach him basketball. I know this is not as specific but this was the first idea that popped into my head so far."

Just went to my "old" posts bc I had no idea what I wanted to write tonight but this was perfect for Julian's world…I still really don't know what this will turn into…

Yikes this was a rough one.

100 Encore, Day 83: "Tomorrow" (Julian)

"Daddy, I can''t play dis game…it for big boys."

"What are you talking about, J? Your Mama plays."

"I meaned big boys and big girls."

"You are big, bud. You're starting pre-school tomorrow."

"Yeah…but I don't wanna…Wanna jus' stay home wit you an' mama or goa daycare and play."

"You're going to play in school though…mom said she told you that. And we learn at home, too. So nothing is changing except you're gonna make new friends, Here let's just catch…bounce it to me!"

"Don't need new friends. You my bes' friend den mama den Bailey."

"Yeah but me and mom are old. Good job bouncing. See you've got this."

"Who cares you old…don't wanna go to school!"

"But why Julian, everyone goes."

"You don't!"

"I did for so long and then I became a doctor and I still have to go to class sometimes."

"Don't care!"

"J, what is with you right now? You are never in a mood. Let's throw now and then we'll try to dribble…"

"I jus' don't wanna goa school."

"It's gonna be so easy for you, bud! It's gonna be just like playing. I used to yell at your mom for making you do so many lessons and she would say 'Just wait…it will be worth it.' And she was right because you know so much that your new friends won't! You know ABCs, you spell your name…you do a little bit of adding, you're a good listener…"

"So I don't hafta go?"

"Of course you do!"

"What do you wanna be when you grow up, J?"

"Space man!"

"That's why you gotta go to school…I don't remember Earth science, J! I can't teach you to be an astronaut."

"Mama will!"

"She can't either…trust me…OK, time to dribble….you bounce the ball and then you hit it like this…and then hit it again so it keeps bouncing…."

"I will go to work with you eve-day astead of school."

"Have you ever been allowed to hang out with mom or dad for more than a few hours at work? It's OK, J…you're doing good…dribbling is had to learn just go get it and try again."

"I go in da daycare and wait for you I don't care I three!"

"Come on! You know you can't do that! You're gonna meet new friends, I know it, J! And you're going to have an awesome teacher and…OK, relax and go get it again…"

"No! I done wit dis talkin'."

"I'm not done talking, J…Why'd you come inside?"

"Don't wanna talk no more!"

"Julian Harper, why are you crying? Why are you really so upset about school?"

"You not dare, I miss you…you not darea say bye afore I goes…"

"Because I work tonight? But J…I'm gonna pick you up AND take you the next day. And your school ends right after lunch so we'll play. And…hold on…I have a surprise for you.."

"I was going to show you this during basketball but you stormed inside before we got to the running part ….Look, I got us matching black and green Nikes….because green's your favorite color, right?"

"Yeah! Cool dad!"

"If you want we can both wear them tomorrow so that when you get sad or bored or whatever you can look at them and think about what we're gonna do after school. So it'll kinda be like I'm there with you….sorta…"

"After, we go get a candy?"

"If your teacher says you were good all day, sure, I guess…"

"Goa park play baskee-ball in sneaks?"

"J! We can go play right now…if you promise you're in a better mood."

"No daddy, I tired! And I scared fer school. I just wanna takea bath, read book, sleep!"

"Cool. Tomorrow then. Let's get ready for your bath."

"To-morrow."