Time With You

Hey. It's me.

It was two weeks from now since summer. It is what everyone’s looking forward into. But not for me. Not for a grounded teenage boy.  I slide by body down on my seat to feel comfortable. I put my Black Guess shades with a circular rim on. I folded my arms to make my napping position on my father’s SUV more comfortable. The one who’s driving was not my biological father but he is a father to me. He is Mr Williams, our family driver for more than 20 years. His years of service were even longer than my existence. He has been my confidante. Actually he’s always been the one who’s present in most of my school’s activities--- No. NOT most but ALL. I can’t remember any time that my parents have been present in PTA meetings, Family Day and even my Graduation Day. Mr Williams have played a great part of my life. He knows what I am experiencing. He knows how I was bullied by my classmates during Family Days since I was the only one who has no parent with him. I was in an all-boys school, practically the most prestigious school in Statefields.

I was a constant honor student in our school. Modesty aside, I was always in the Top Three of our whole batch but not until last school year. I have been cutting classes and a constant late student that my class adviser would love to squeeze me like a lemonade whose juices wants to be extracted. All of my teachers gave up on me and even the principal also did. The Prefect of Discipline’s office has been my place. Don’t get me wrong. Mr Williams has nothing to do with my late’s and absences. In fact, he drives me to school at 6:30am arriving there at exactly 7:00am to mention that my first class is at 8:00am. The bell usually rings by 7:30 to be gathers at the gymnasium. There, haircuts has been checked and even our nails. We’re like grade schoolers isn’t it?  To think our school population is so big.

I feel my efforts weren’t appreciated at all. That’s why I became like this to get more attention. What’s the use of earning a lot if you can’t even have a family dinner together?

……………………………

“Hey sweetie, wake up. I suddenly felt a pat on my lap. It was my mom.  Still she looked upset for the last school year’s day incident. For the first time in my existence, my parents went to my school yesterday. The school officials said I am to re-take the whole school year for my poor performance… for not just late but cutting classes.  My dad said, I was just a pain in the ass. He will never understand me at all. They will never know how bad I want their attention.  

“We’re already here.” I stretched my arms and yawn but said nothing as I get out of the car.

By the way, I am Mr Andrew James Keller. And this is my not-so-extraordinary story.