It’s one of those stormy days that we rarely get in Del Sol Valley...the kind where the rain continues for most of the day - taking only the shortest breaks as if to catch its breath before the next downpour begins. It’s way too wet outside for us to stay in it...so we all enter the house after school. Ms. Fuller is standing there waiting for us...or should I say - me.
Ms. Fuller: Alida, I need to speak with you for a moment. Raul...Michael - you can both go to your room to change out of your school clothes.
I can tell by Ms. Fuller’s tone that I’m probably in some type of trouble, so I sit down bracing myself to get cursed out or worse. To the contrary...Ms. Fuller’s voice becomes soft and even.
Ms. Fuller: I received a call from your drama teacher ...wondering if you would be coming in today. She says she missed you on Tuesday. I thought she must have been mistaken, but she said you never showed up.
Alida: Oh...
Ms. Fuller: I need a little bit more than just ‘oh’. What happened? Where were you?
Alida: I...uh. I-I just didn’t want to go. I wanted to stay and play with Raul and Michael.
Right on cue...Michael comes out of the bedroom...obviously not taking the hint that Ms. Fuller wanted him to stay in there so she could talk to me in private.
Alida: *continues* It’s no fun to go to drama class where I don’t know anyone. I don’t wanna go alone.
Ms. Fuller: You should have told me rather than just skip out. We could have figured something out.
Hearing the tail end of our conversation...Michael chimes in.
Michael: Ohhh...ohhh, I can go with her!
Ms. Fuller: Michael -
Alida: *interrupts* Can he? I’ll be much happier if Michael came with me.
Ms. Fuller: We already discussed this…
Michael: It’s not fair Mama Nadine! Why can’t I go to drama club just because I’m a boy?
Ms. Fuller: I’m not trying to be unfair. I’m just trying to protect you. The drama club for some reason is full of girls. I’m afraid the other kids will make fun of you. Remember what happened the last time the kids ganged up to tease you? You got physically sick. We almost had to admit you to the hospital. I don’t want that to happen again.
I chime in quickly…
Alida: *with conviction* I won’t let them make fun of him.
Michael: Alida won’t let them...please Mama Nadine!
Alida: And maybe if he does start going...it’ll make other boys want to come too.
Something in my voice convinces Ms. Fuller.
Ms. Fuller: Okay Michael… you can join drama club.
Michael: Yay!
Ms. Fuller: But it’s too late for you to go today. I’ll sign you up and you can start tomorrow.
Michael: *disappointed* Ah man!
I change clothes and leave for drama club happy that Michael will soon be joining me.
