Second Chances

Rising Tensions

Time went by.  Summer was coming to a close.  The days were ending much sooner.  The weather was cooling down considerately.  The leaves on trees were changing colors and falling off branches.  Soon, it would be time for the kids to start school again.  The oldest of kids had already left for their respective colleges a week ago.  As for the rest, they were busy getting ready to return for another year.

Among those children were Dylan and Becky Kent.  Becky was excited, because this year she would enter the first grade, making her an official "grader", as they called it at their school.  "Graders" got to do all the cool stuff, like make model houses, go to recess, and take care of a class pet that wasn't a boring old goldfish.  It would be no cubbies, no nap times, and no going home early.  To Becky, that was a big deal.

Dylan was looking forward to going back to school, too.  This year, he would start the fifth grade.  At his school, being a fifth grader was the equivalent of being a high school senior.  He would get an official T-shirt, get to go to some cool events for graduation, and even get a real yearbook.  Plus, he had been lucky enough to get Miss Laney as his teacher this year.  She held popcorn parties for her class every Friday, and she let the kids keep an iguana in the classroom.

Tonight was the very last night of their summer vacation before they went back to school.  Dylan was sitting in his room, packing his things into his brand-new Power Rangers backpack, checking off every item as he packed it.  After he finished packing, he zipped it closed and climbed onto his bed.  Checking to make sure that no one was around, he reached under his pillow and pulled out a handmade booklet.

The day after his mom left, his dad had attempted to get rid of every photo bearing Summer's face.  Dylan understood why, but that didn't mean he didn't miss seeing his mother's face.  Now that she was gone, he felt a need to look at her more than ever.  So, he salvaged a few treasured photos and pasted them into this booklet. He called it his "Mom Book", and kept them hidden in his room. He also made a "Dad Book", containing pictures of Conner, to use when his mom came back. She probably wouldn't allow pictures of him in her home.

Sometimes, he liked to talk to the pictures, like she was actually here with him. This was one of those times. He placed the book on his lap and looked at a photo, which was taken when the family went to the amusement park. He and his mom were on a rollercoaster in the very first car, screaming and grinning with excitement. "Hi, Mom. Sorry its been a while. I've busy with camp and back-to-school stuff."

"I'm pretty excited. This year, I'm gonna be a fifth grader. I'll be at the top of the food chain. I'll get the special perks and privileges of the highest of upperclassmen. Its gonna be awesome." He sucked in his lips. "But Mom, I have some big news." He took a deep breath before continuing.

"Dad is dating this new lady named Megan. We met her at the supermarket. Turns out, they went to high school together, and they even dated. Dad says he really likes her. And he says she really likes him, too. When Becky and Molly and me got back from Florida with Grandma and Grandpa, Dad wanted us to meet her, but I said no." Dylan didn't want his father to have a girlfriend, not unless it was his mother. Luckily, Conner said he wouldn't have to meet Megan until things got serious between them.

"Megan doesn't even live here. She lives all the way in Chicago. What if Dad and Megan get married? Than you and Dad won't be able to get married again. What if we have to move to Chicago? What if I have to go to a different school?" Dylan was trying hard not to cry, but a few tears slipped out anyway. He wished he could talk to his actual mom, instead of just her picture, but he didn't have her number. Besides, Dylan didn't think he could really say any of this to his mom. Or his dad. Or anyone for that matter.