Perspective

Serena Ravenson flipped down the mirror attached to her car, enabling her to adjust the badge on her uniform. Taped to the mirror was a photo of her and her son, James. She brought the mirror back to its resting position before stepping out of her car. Although I get to be with him everyday after school, I am still excited to see him at any chance I can.

He fidgeted with his pencil, and awaited her arrival.

"Students. Make sure all of your desks are clear from distractions."

Attentively obeying directions from his teacher, Mr. Turner, James tucked his pencil under his desk as he sat. Nothing can mess this day up. I get to see my mom. It may not be a special occasion for other kids my age to see their parents, but she is the best friend I could ever ask for.

She ducked under the Parent Career Day poster hanging above the door as she moved to stand at the side of the classroom. She smiled as she made eye contact with James, and the smile was a mutual action. His light blonde hair, neatly in place, reminded her of their relationship as mother-and-son. Bright and firm. I wouldn't choose anything over my son, even if it meant I would have all the riches in the world.

He sat at his long desk as his eyelids became more and more heavy as he lost the strength to keep them open any longer. After some seconds of dozing off (it's hard to keep track), he heard a snapping noise. Nothing to worry about. He heard it again. Then the noise got so close that his eardrums felt violated. His eyelids regained the strength they needed to remain open as he saw a familiar woman looking him directly in his eyes.

"Mr. Turner, are you alright?" She inquired concerningly.

Ah. Just Mrs--Officer--Ravenson.

"Yeah. Just didn't get enough coffee this morning," he responded.

"Okay... Would you like me to begin?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Mr. Turner remained mentally absent as Serena began speaking about her career as a police officer. He waited, not listening to a single word she said, staring at the floor in front of him. Once he noticed a silence, he spoke up. "Is that all, Officer Ravenson?" He asked.

"Yes, should we let the students ask questions about my profession?"

"Nah," Mr. Turner said, "next."

I've always hated Parent Career Day. Let's just get this over with.

Upset with how Mr. Turner spoke to his mom, James shook his head as he watched her stand back on the side of the room with the other parents, and the next parent to speak walked to the front of the room. His name was Mr. Diabla. No one knew much about him, other than that his child never showed up to school, yet he still spoke each time there was a Parent Career Day. Each year he picks a different profession to talk about. I wonder which one it will be today.

Serena stood at the side of the room as she watched Mr. Diabla speak. She couldn't manage to pay attention to a single work he said, for she was too focused on his past. About half a decade ago, she arrested Mr. Diabla's brother for driving under the influence and getting into a car crash. No one had died, but his brother had had enough DUIs for multiple lifetimes, so he was put in jail for years. To this day, he remains behind bars thanks to Serena. Well, in Mr. Diabla's eyes, he has nothing to be thankful for. He was once a normal guy. Always had some trouble finding a job suited for him, but before his brother was locked up, he was a happy man. Since then, his life has fallen apart. From Serena's understanding, his brother was the most important part of his life. All of this was running through her head as she stared at his unfathomably messy hair, misshaven beard, half-tucked in and half-tucked out shirt, and mismatching shoes. She felt sorry for him. I do wonder what he thinks every morning when he gets ready for the day. She looked at the sad man again, still not paying attention to what he was saying. I wonder what he thinks all the time.