For Her, He Will

Chapter Forty - Adjusting to the changes.

Late August

"Tate!" Oakey called from upstairs. "You better be dressed, and teeth brushed!"

She ran back into the bedroom and finished pulling her jeans on. It was Tate's first day of school and they were going to be late if they didn't leave in the next ten minutes. Oakley had planned a nice, calm morning for Tate's first day, but obviously that didn't go to plan.

Kayce can gotten a call around five that he was need out because of some land disputes near the reservation. He told Oakley, when she was in a sleep-induced haze, that he was leaving. But she forgot that meant his six o'clock alarm wouldn't be going off now. But Oakley woke up again at seven.

School drop off was at seven-forty-five, so thankfully Parker was only twenty minutes from the ranch. Oakley had run downstairs, shook Tate awake and shoved a banana in his face to eat. Hopefully the poor kid was dressed because Oakley was going to lose it.

"Tate?" Oakley called, walking downstairs.

"Calm down," Tate laughed from the couch.

He was dressed in the clothes Oakley had picked out for him with his backpack over one of his shoulders already. His hair even looked brushed back and clean.

"I love you so much right now," Oakley laughed. "Come on."

The two of them walked out, into one of the trucks and Oakley drove them off the ranch.

"You feel like a fifth grader?" Oakley asked, looking in the rearview mirror at Tate. "You nervous?"

"Not really nervous," Tate glanced out the window. "Just don't know what it'll be like."

"You'll make friends," Oakley said. "You're a good kid."

"Can I get that in writing?" Tate laughed.

"Hush," Oakley smiled.

"I'll probably be the one to pick you up, buddy," Oakley took their exit. "I'm not sure where your dad had to be earlier."

"Okay," Tate said.

"But then we'll have a big family dinner to celebrate your first day...how's that sound?" Oakley pulled into the parking lot and took a spot in the back.

They got out and Tate walked around to where Oakley waited for him in the front.

"Can it be pizza?" Tate looked up at Oakley.

"You're gonna turn into a slice of pizza," Oakley rolled her eyes but pushed Tate's shoulder to start walking. "If your dad's gotta stay in town then we can get pizza with him."

"Awesome," Tate smiled.

There were parents walking children in or dropping them off. Oakley and Tate navigated their way into the main office and up to the front desk after waiting for a bit.

"Good morning," The receptionist smiled.

"Hi, good morning," Oakley placed her hand on Tate's shoulder. "This is Tate Dutton; we're new this year...in fifth grade."

"Welcome, Tate," The woman smiled. "Do you know your teacher's name?"

"Mrs. Peterson," Tate said, looking at Oakley to make sure.

"Mrs. Peterson," Oakley nodded. "I believe I filled out all the forms and sent them in a week ago. We just didn't know if there were others or what first day was supposed to look like?"

"It looks like you're all good, Mom," The woman was looking at her screen. "Mrs. Peterson's class is down the hall, take the second left and fifth grade is coded with the red lockers."