Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A few butterflies for Everett kindergartners' first day of school
By Kaitlin Manry
Herald Writer
EVERETT -- Savannah Caffrey jumps on her bed.
Her sister, Nikki, lies curled on the carpet, scowling at the mirror.
Sleepy-eyed in blue pajamas, they know what's ahead.
Mom does too.
Her girls are leaving her, going to kindergarten.
She sets out new Hannah Montana shirts. When Nikki protests -- "It's too big!" -- she picks a smaller shirt for her blond fashionista.
She cooks oatmeal with brown sugar, and toast.
She sniffs inside their mouths. Savannah must brush again.
She combs their waist-long locks.
A mother senses tears.
"What's wrong? Are you nervous?"
Nikki nods, frowning.
Mom fills two new backpacks with glue and tissues. She confiscates a football action figure Savannah, her tomboy, wanted to smuggle in.
For five years, they've been her life.
At her in-home preschool, she taught them to sing the ABCs, not to lick water fountains and to wash their hands after going potty.
There's so much left.
She looks at the clock, then at her girls.
"It's getting closer and Mommy's starting to get a little worried … Where am I going to meet you?"
"Home," Nikki whispers.
"No! At the bike rack."
Turning to Savannah. "Where am I going to meet you?"
"At the 'crack."
"No!" Mom asks again.
"At the 'crack," Savannah repeats, still blending words.
At 9 o'clock, Mom reaches for little hands, to walk outside and cross the street to Silver Lake Elementary.
Savannah skips ahead.
"I'm walking myself."
Mom winces.
Nikki holds on.
At the gate, Mom pulls her close.
"I love you. Be very good. Listen. Mommy's so proud of you. You're getting so big."
She finds Savannah already inside her classroom, sitting in front of her name tag. Mom puckers. They kiss goodbye. Savannah wipes her lips.
Finished, Serena Caffrey walks away, holding her tears.
"I've got to let them go."
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA
