Our Broken Pieces

10

(FIVE YEAR TIME JUMP)
Melony is six years old and is just starting kindergarten. Caitlin has been visiting Central City consistently without anyone questioning her about life in Midway, and Cisco has managed to keep his mouth shut. He has been visiting Melony in Midway occasionally. Unsurprisingly, Westallen Vow Renewal Ceremony was also interrupted by some more universal threats so Barry and Iris are having a smaller vow renewal ceremony at Joe's house.

Midway:

Caitlin drove up anxiously to the front of the school, she was just called in on Melony's first day. "What could've already happened?" she thought to herself, "I hope her necklace didn't fall off..." (referring to the one on the cover).

As she entered the office she was greeted by the principal and Mel's teacher, looking completely unworried besides Melony.

"Mommy!" Melony exclaimed.

"Hi, baby. What's going on, is anything wrong?" Caitlin asked.

"Nothing is wrong, Ms. Snow" the principal Meyers replied. "Actually we wanted to talk to you about something very good."

Caitlin turned her head, confused.

"Mrs. Anderson," Principal Meyers said, gesturing for her to explain.

"Ah, yes. Your daughter Ms. Snow has shown high intellect for someone her age. Just at six, she's gone past colors and shapes and into basic algebra and chapter books. She's not suited for kindergarten and excels in learning new concepts ten times faster than kids in her grades. Melony, she is unique. We were considering putting her in with the older kids, but of course, we would need your input," Mrs. Andreson said.

Caitlin was wide-eyed, simply just impressed and proud of her daughter. She knew Mel was smart and a quick learner, but not enough to get suggested to skip a few grades on her first day of school ever. Caitlin pondered for a moment, "was this the right call?" she thought. The whole idea of raising Mel out here was for her to live a normal typical life, that's what Caitlin wanted for her anyways.

"Umm... I don't know. Wouldn't it be better socially for Mel to stay with kids her age?" Caitlin asked.

"Actually, she's quite mature for her age," Mrs. Anderson replied. "She gets along well with most of the 3rd graders at recess well, when during playtime she is usually writing or drawing when the other kids are playing with blocks or fingerpainting." Mrs. Anderson asked holding up one of Mel's picture, one that not a typical kindergartener could do.

"Your daughter is gifted, Ms. Snow," Mr. Meyers said.

Caitlin looked at Mel listening patiently beside her and pondered for another second before taking Mel into her lap.

"What do you think, honey?" Caitlin asked. "Do you want to go to school with the older kids?"

Melony nodded, "kindergarten is so boring, I don't need to learn about colors and my ABCs. I already know them."

"Ok then," Caitlin smiled, "I guess I'll have to get you new supplies then. You can't write in crayon in big kid classes."

..............................................................

After arriving back at the apartment, Melony went off to do her own thing in the living room, which was slowly becoming another storage for Caitlin's stuff, as sharing one bedroom with a small closet with her growing daughter was already overfilled.