The next decade....what's in store?

The drive home after Summer School 5

I know.....Friday gone long time. But ah busy busy busy. Lots of pots on the fire. Anyway, I saw the one who drove me to tears on the way home this evening, so it reminded me that I had not updated this.

When the swinging like a merry go round started, I told them it was time to go. But then I kept dilly-dallying until about 30 minutes passed. Mr D, in his typical "I don't care if it offends you" manner, said "it's time to go." I told him we would soon leave. He hissed his teeth and walked through the door and said he was leaving. I called him to come back but he ignored me. What's new?

The others walked to the jallopy. Mr KF got in the front. Mr T got in the back, quite peeved that he was being dropped off first. He protested, but I ignored him. As we started driving, I asked the kids if when they go home, they tell their parents about Summer School. Yes. What will you tell them today? (I really should recall these conversations because mi nuh memba what dem did seh!")

Mr T started to turn down the window while the AC was on, without asking if he could have fresh air. I asked him once again not to do that. We drove a short distance, and then he did it again. I heard my voice going up into a crescendo. I JUST NEED YOU TO LISTEN TO ME WHEN I ASK YOU NOT TO DO SOMETHING. I CANNOT DO THIS! I CANNOT DO THIS!

The whole car went quiet. So did I, with remorse. I quickly went back into Teacher Yamfoot mode and continued the conversation. When we reached to Mr T's house, he was 'blue vex', complaining again that he did not want to go home. He walked out of the jeep without his school bag. I turned off the car, took the bag out and walked up to the steps to his house. He was really sulking and I felt really bad so I apologized to him for shouting at him since I had told him last time that I would never shout at him. No one was home, but I really had to get back to work so I left him, by himself. I am trying not to let him get his way, even if he misbehaves, which he did that day (with Mr D's watch).

Next was Mr Prime Minister, then Mr D, then The 5th Kid.

I then began my little chat with Mr KF, reminding him again that it was important to do his home work. We also spoke about Canada, that he had to expect that it might take a long time to go through.

Then I asked an innocent question.

Me: What are the sleeping arrangements at home?
Mr KF: I sleep on the floor Miss.
Me: Oh, on a mattress with some of your sisters and brothers?
Mr KF: No Miss, I sleep on the floor Miss.
Me: Do you put something on the floor?
Mr KF: Yes Miss, my mother puts a sheet Miss.

It's a good thing we were soon at his Grandpa's house (when his mother is not home, which he could see from the road, he goes by his Gramps' house because he is not allowed to be at home by himself.)

I said to him that he is a good example about his conditions not determining his behaviour because he is very well behaved, so he just has to work on his punctuality and do his home work, and he will be ok. "Yes Miss."

He cheerily says goodbye and runs up to his Grandpa's house. I drove off and the thoughts started to swirl.

"It's not fair," I thought. "Why should some people have so much and others so little? Why is the world not level? Why aren't the opportunities the same for everyone?"

That opened up the flood gate of tears and I sobbed. Uncontrollably.

The drive back to work was enough for me to compose myself, but then I went straight to the restaurant where my colleagues were, ordered brownies and ice creams, told them what happened and began to sob some more.

We are going to see if we can donate a mattress we are not using.

As I was driving home this evening, I saw some kids by the stand pipe. I recognized his uncombed hair so I stopped and asked if he had done his homework. Yes Miss. A schoolmate of his, who I know, said he wasnt telling the truth. So I asked again and he said all he had to do was look in the dictionary for the meaning of the words. He said he didn't have one but the schoolmate said his cousin did, so he would borrow it.

It's night now, and I will go to sleep on a comfortable mattress while Mr KF will spread his sheet, lay his head down and probably dream about better days in Canada, where he will have the luxury of sleeping on a mattress, even if it is used. I will try and make his dreams come true before that.

Posted by yamfoot at August 21, 2011 06:53 PM