Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 97 - September Birthdays

True to Greg's prediction, following Zack's graduation, the summer of 2007 went by very quickly for those living in the Abernathy household. Zack, Matt, and Ashley worked full time and sometimes more than full time, every day. Jessie went to camp for a week with her friend Bert. The rest of the time, she took it upon herself to help Greg look after Melody and to help train Forest. To Greg's surprise, she sot out Richard's help on her own in order to ensure she was doing the training right. As a result, they saw Richard much more frequently that summer than they typically did, sometimes at the Beach House, sometimes at the Abernathy's house. By the time school started again, Forest, who was now five months old, was housebroken. He was also able to respond to a variety of commands ... provided Jessie or Greg or Richard gave them. He was less reliable with other family members, but he was gradually learning.

The end of August came and Jessie alone went back to school. At age four, Melody wasn't old enough to go to school, and those who were in college wouldn't start classes for another month. And so Jessie began eighth grade at the local middle school, even though she informed everyone that this year, Bert was going to high school and next year, she would be too.

"It doesn't seem possible that Jessie could be going to high school next year," Susan remarked not long after she left for school.

"It doesn't seem possible that Melody could be starting kindergarten next year," Greg said.

Susan frowned when he said it. "How can she, Greg? Melody isn't even reliably potty trained yet. She still doesn't have the skills necessary to consider sending her to preschool, and she should do that for a year before starting school."

"Is there a preschool you would like to send her to?" Greg asked curiously.

"I'm not sure. Marion sent the twins to a preschool last year she was happy with. Maybe I should be considering that for Melody," Susan said. "I know that some of them are willing to help with potty training."

"What did Marion say about it?" Greg asked.

"She also said they have a program for children with special needs a the preschool she used. I thought at the time if I sent her anywhere, I would definitely look into that."

"Call her, Susan. I know Melody's health is relatively fragile and we have a tendency to be protective of her, but we do need to expose her to as much of normal life as possible," Greg said. "Preparing for school is part of that, so I think we should try."

Susan nodded. "Okay, I'll call Marion, just to make sure I remember the details correctly. Then I'll call the school. Maybe they'll be willing to work with her."

Susan did, and within a week of the Labor Day holiday, Melody started preschool in the mornings, two days per week in the preschool's special program, just to see how she would do.

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Melody grinned at her achievement at the end of her first week.

"Cool Melody," Zack said as they talked about it Friday night over dinner. "Now we're all going to school."

"You go to school?" Melody asked her older brother.

"Yup. Matt, Ashley and me go to college. Mine starts next week. In fact, I'm moving into the dorms this weekend. I'm driving up after church on Sunday," Zack told her.

"You're going early for orientation week?" Matt asked.

"Yeah. It sounded like a good idea," Zack said.

"It is," Ashley assured him. "It's a good way to learn your way around campus as a freshman."

"Are you sure you don't want us to take you?" Susan wondered.