ENG1101-D401 English Comp, FA2023 Toggle navigation

Merci parked her 2019 Nissan Rogue after searching for what seemed like hours for a decent spot in the parking lot of her son’s, Michelle, school. She checked her features in her rear-view mirror before grabbing her black leather purse from the passenger seat and exited the vehicle. Today was Parent-Teacher Conferences at the school. After a bumptious email from Michelle’s teacher stating how imperative it is she attends this meeting; specifically, noting her previous absences to the first two conferences this school year. It was apparently “essential to the students’ success that the teacher and parent are on the same page in regard to the child’s needs and behavior”, Merci didn’t need anybody else to tell her about her son’s behavior. She knew Michelle better than anyone. She’s been there for all seven years of his life. Merci knew Michelle was too timid and introverted to act out or do anything warranting a 1 on 1 meeting so she really couldn’t begin to fathom why his teacher was so adamant about having her attend this conference.

Slowly but surely, Merci made her way through the sea of parents all present for the same reason she was. She spotted Michelle seated on a chair texted to a classroom door. She assumed that’s where she is expected to go. She had never been there before. Michelle was pretty self-sufficient for a seven-year-old. The last time she had been to a classroom of his was the first day of kindergarten. After that Michelle had been perfectly capable of taking himself to and from his classroom on his own. “Michelle, viens ici.” The boy’s posture straightened at the sound of his mother’s voice in her native language. That typically insinuated she was agitated. Michelle stood from his seat and walked closer to his mother, not quite meeting her eye.

He offered her a hand.

She placed hers in his.

Gently, he urged his mother towards the classroom. “Tu es le dernier.” Merci nodded at this information allowing her son to guide her into the classroom. Upon entering the first thing she noticed was how brightly lit and colorful the room was. Art projects made by students and brightly colored decorations lined the walls. Merci grazed her eyes over them all attempting to figure out which one was a product of her son. All the pictures seemed too unrealistic for Michelle to have made them.

“Ms. Aubert!” a cherry voice called out. Merci whipped her head to see a shorter, softer looking woman. Her attire matched the aesthetic of the room. Colorful. Though Merci’s gaze seemed piercing, the woman’s smile did not falter. “I’m Mrs. Campbell, Michelle’s teacher. It’s so nice to finally meet you.” Michelle watched as his mother gazed at his teacher for another moment. “A pleasure to meet you, as well.” Neither move for another breath. Mrs. Campbell let out a breath then clasped her hands together. “Well then, shall we get started. Michelle you can play by the kitchen for a bit. Alright buddy?” The boy looked between the two women nervously. The tension between the two of them so obvious. Reluctantly, he found his spot in the play area, keeping the two women in his line of view. Mrs. Campbell offered Merci a seat across from her person. Ensuring no young, peering eyes could see their features clearly before dropping her smile.

“I’ll keep this brief. You need to be there for your son.” An appalled look stretched across Merci’s face. “Pardon?” Merci felt the red-hot anger filling her system at alarming pace. “That little boy idolizes you more than anything in the world and you can’t seem to show up for one thing regarding Michelle’s school career. As his teacher I know he does not participate in any extracurriculars, be that of his own accord or yours I’ll leave up to imagination. That being said, you have nothing else to show up for other than school activities.” Merci was speechless. “Out of 30 kids only one was signed up for self-dismal. Can you guess who the one is?”  Merci could feel the judgement radiating off the teacher. She had never realized she appeared so… absent. She began rethinking every interaction she’s had with her son.

He offered her a hand.

She placed hers in his.

She could believe how distant she had been behaving towards her own son. She had been so hyper fixated on her job the hadn’t realized she’d been completely emotionally neglecting Michelle. Who had done nothing but been an angel in response. How long had she been treating him like this. “And I can almost bet that you had no idea wanted a dog.” Mrs. Campbell’s voice had ripped Merci from her spiraling thoughts of self reflection. She looked up at the teacher forlorn. Mrs. Campbell rolled her eyes before standing and walking towards her desk. She looked through the papers on her desk before selecting one. Upon returning to the table. She placed the paper in front of Merci. Without making eye contact she spoke, “The prompt was to right about something you really want. Read it and get to know your son. You both are free to leave when you’re done.”

What I want more then anything is a dog. Abig one that can keep me company. My mommy dusnt like dogs. She says they r too hard to train but I’ve been doing research!! And dogs can be trained because they r not from grey wolves. They r from a wolf that dusnt exist anymore. And wolves don’t fight to be in charge. Wolves and doggys are so different wolves woold be shocked to meet a doggy.All we have to do is show the doggy that we are in charge and it will listen to us. And humans picked wich traits the doggys would have. So each is type of doggy is bred for certain reasons. Like border collies are for herding cattle. And pugs are made to look cute. And Dobermans are good for protection. So we just have to decide which doggy would be best for us. Some doggys need to be walked more . The bigger the doggy the closer it is to a wolf according to science so I wanna get a bigger doggy so I have someone to play with. I will do all the work. I’ll feed the doggy. Train it. Play with it. Walk it. All mommy woold have to do is agree. But I don’t wanna bother mommy. Shes always so busy. So I don’t think ill get one.

Merci wiped her eyes. She knew her son was smart. That was never a question in her mind. But she never knew he could be so driven. Her heart ached at the idea of him not feeling as if he could himself around her. She stood from her chair and made her way to the play area where Michelle remained busy. She squatted next to him making him aware of her presence and offered him a smile. “Es-tu prêt, mon bébé?”

She offered him a hand.

His eyes lit up vibrantly.

He placed his in hers.

“Oui maman.”