Similarities and Differences

Trace My Fears Back To Lies

Tuesday, August 8

I brought Ava to school with me tonight because I didn't know how long I would be there, and I figured she would be able to help me on random projects that she'd have a lot more fun doing than I would.

Ava and I heard the marching band playing all the way from across the street as we walked in the middle school. The high school and middle school are right across the street from each other.

There was a young man next to a red truck at the middle school. He looked like he was controlling a drone. Last week, the kids had band camp, and Aunt Jen told me someone was illegally flying a drone, and that if I saw the person, I needed to tell him to stop.

Ava looked at me and whispered, "Is that a drone?"

I don't think either one of us have ever seen a drone before tonight. "Maybe," I told her. "Let's go ask him."

The guy looked over at us. He was looked like he was about 17. "What's up, man?" I asked.

"Just watching the marching band. Wanna see?"

"Yeah!" Ava said. She ran over to him. She needs to be more careful around people. He showed us what was happening on the field, but I knew I had to say something.

"Hey, do you have permission to do this?"

"No, but I'm sure it's fine."

I shook my head. "No, it's not. You're not allowed to fly things on school property unless you have permission."

Ava looked at me, confused. She's kind of used to me using my authoritative teacher voice though.

The young man had bright red hair that almost matched the color of his bright red truck. That's a hyperbole, but still, he had really red hair. He looked kind of scared, honestly. "How do you know that?"

"The principal told me last week that someone was flying a drone around here, and she told me to keep an eye out for whoever was flying the drone. It's against the law, sir."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Mr. Easton, a teacher here at the middle school. What's your name?"

"I'm Gav."

"How old are you Gav?"

"Seventeen."

"What school do you go to?"

I won't publish the school that he goes to because I don't want you stalkers to find out around where I live, but he was from a rival school.

"Why are you spying on us?"

"Just for fun."

"I will tell the band directors that I found you, but I won't tell them who you are. If any of us catch you here again, there will be more consequences. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, sorry, I didn't know. I just love marching band and wanted to watch other people do it. I meant no harm."

"It's fine. We all make mistakes, but let me see you bring your drone back here."

He worked the controls, and it took a moment, but he brought it back to us. It was really cool to see the thing work, and I didn't really wanna admit it because I had just called this kid out, but I had to know more.

"How much is one of these things?" I had to ask.

"Like, 1500 dollars."

Ava and I exchanged looks. I looked back at his bright red truck. It had to be older than mine, but it was still pretty nice. His parents must have money.

"Wow, man, that's intense."

He laughed a little. "Thanks."

"Just don't fly it on our school property anymore, okay?"

"Okay, sorry."

"Go home, and stay out of trouble."

"I will."

As we went inside, Ava asked me, "Why is it that you can trust random people on the street not to hurt you, but you don't trust Whitney?"

She heard my conversation with Whitney yesterday, and she came running down into my arms yesterday because she unfortunately now understands why I'm so guarded now.

She asked a valid question, but I hate the fact that she might think I'm weak because I can't trust people. I'm supposed to be the strongest person in her life. Just because I can't trust people doesn't mean I'm not strong, but she may not see it that way.

"Because that interaction with that kid was a onetime thing, so it doesn't matter as much what happens between him and us. Now, that doesn't mean you shouldn't treat everyone with respect though."

"You don't want Whitney and Rose to come into our lives because you're worried that they're going to suddenly turn on us, like some of your mom's boyfriends. I think Whitney is a lot different than your mom's mean boyfriends. Weren't they kind of mean and drug addicts already? Whitney and Rose are nice people, and they genuinely care about us."

I feel like my nine-year-old is like thirteen. She's optimistic, but so realistic and honest.

I put an arm around her as we reached my classroom upstairs. "Ava, where did you become so wise?" Honestly, I wanted to know as I unlocked the door to my classroom.

"Steven, you've told me a little about this before. You tell me to trace my fears back to lies. It really works. I just did that for you."

"You're right. Thank you."

"Give Whitney and Rose a chance."

"Okay."