First Day of School

First day of school. Daughters in their uniforms, awake early and nervous.

Lily, my oldest, 9, wants both her parents to make the drive to school, for moral support. Helen, youngest, 7, hates this idea because it embarrasses her. And she HATES MY CAR! This she announces, loudly.

She also hates, during school delivery, any music to be played at drop off. It embarrasses her, too.

We're driving, and there's one of those rare moments when no one is talking, complaining, crying.

Helen gives an explosive sigh, and in an utterly weary voice, asks, "How many days 'til Christmas break?"

She's furious when we start to laugh.