"Rise and shine, honey," mom said, ecstatically, "it's a big day today, your first day in first grade!" I was seven. I get ready as mom prepares breakfast downstairs. "Sunshine, breakfast is ready!" mom shouts. I head downstairs and gobble up my pancakes at the kitchen table. "Okay, mom, let's go," I say joyfully. Mom responds, wow, someone's excited for their first day in elementary school, you're a big boy now, but you'll always be my little monster." We giggle. I get into mom's van and look at dad's old Chevy impala parked at the back of the garage. Mom starts the car and we exit the driveway. I ask, hesitantly, "mom, what was dad like?" Mom did not say a word and on her once joyful smile lay an unpleasant frown." I arrive at school without an answer from mom. "Have a great day at school, my love," she says as she drives off, wiping her teary eye. I felt a little guilty asking her about dad, but mom was a strong woman. "I can't wait for my first day at school," I thought.
