Page 20 of Her Big Bad Wolf
“Grab your coat and line up at the door,” I instructed.
There were some squeals and a few stragglers hesitant for change, but within a few minutes they were all lined up and ready to go.
“Remember, we walk in line. Follow your friend in front of you and no cutting line.”
We’d been going over these terms with them for the last few weeks, getting ready for this day. When they did as told, my heart swelled with pride.
As the last child walked up the steps looking so small and innocent compared to that big bus, my heart ached thinking of Cam and how excited he would have been today to go to big school just like his brothers.
That emptiness stayed with me throughout the day as I tried to shake off the melancholy threatening to overtake me. The smile on my face was genuine but sad.
“Everyone listen up. When we’re on the bus we stay on our bottoms and we don’t touch the friend next to us. You’ll notice there aren’t any seatbelts on the bus, and there are no booster seats for you to sit in. Don’t worry. This is Mr. Buz the bus driver and he’s going to make sure that you get to school safely today and every single day next school year when you’re all in big school.”
I nodded to Buz when I was done talking and took my own seat.
“Ladies and gentleman, remember to keep your arms and legs to yourself and inside the bus at all times. Let’s pretend your bottoms are glued to the seat, but don’t worry, the glue magically disappears when we reach the school. How cool is that?” Buz asked them.
This caused a few giggles.
“Okay, here we gooo. . .”
His excitement for the kids was contagious. Buz had been driving the school bus all around San Marco since I was a kid. Iremembered him fondly and I knew that this was something he enjoyed doing for the kids.
Since I’d begun this annual event, Buz had been chauffeuring us every single year. It just wouldn’t be the same without him.
Much too soon we had safely arrived. I could see a few kids staring out the window in awe.
“True to my word, go ahead and try to get up now. Your bottom is no longer stuck to the seat,” Buz said, causing a few giggles.
“It didn’t work. I’m stuck,” Nathan said, causing his brother to laugh.
“Me too,” Zachary joined in.
The two of them were quite the comedians when they wanted to be.
“That’s not funny. Come on,” Mary Alice told them in a stern voice.
I only had the triplets a few days a week, but they certainly kept the class entertained when they were there.
I almost felt bad for Emma missing out on this. I knew she’d wanted to come along, but Mary had needed help and I hadn’t been able to line up anyone else. In the end, I’d left it up to her, but I think Mary may have swayed her decision a bit. But I knew she would have loved this and the boys’ antics insisting their butts were glued to the bus seats.
As usual though, when Mary Alice spoke, the boys jumped into action. They miraculously became unstuck and got in line with the others.
“Okay, remember to follow your friend in front of you.”
“And no cutting,” Vada reminded everyone.
“That’s right, Vada. It’s good to remember the rules and try to follow them.”
As I led them into the school, I was proud to find they were the most well-behaved class I’ve ever worked with.
Shelby, along with a few other teachers and the principal, met us outside. I introduced my class to the principal who took things over from there.
I watched them quietly walk into the school for the first time exactly as we had practiced.
Shelby linked her arm through mine and sniffled.
“I can’t believe my babies will be heading off to Kindergarten soon. The years flew by so quickly.”
