First Day

Flash Fiction

First Day

“And what is your name?” Mrs. Henders asked.

The child just stood there.

“Your name?” she asked again.

He looked up, but still did not talk.”

“Don’t be shy…”

“I’m not shy! I’m American!”

“Well, that’s a start, now I know you can talk. Now what is your name?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Did you forget what your name is?”

“No!”

“How about I will tell you my name first. My name is Mrs. Henderson.”

“You don’t even know me, you shouldn’t be telling me your name!”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re a stranger!”

“Oh! Is that why you can’t tell me your name?”

“Yes, it’s the rules! Don’t talking to strangers.”

“That is a good rule. Did your parents tell you about this rule?”

“Yes.”

Are your parents David and Janet Williams? Who live on Benny Street in number eighty-six, and have two children, David and Tiffany?”

“Yes… how do you know that?”

“Because I am a kindergarten teacher, and one of the kids I am going to teach is David Williams. And David’s mother showed me a picture of David, and that picture looks just like you. Are you David Williams?”

“But aren’t you still a stranger to me?”

“Yes, but only because your mom is talking to the school nurse right now about your knee from when you fell down yesterday. So, I think I’ll ask some other kids questions. You and I can wait until your mother comes in before I ask you anymore questions. Is that OK?”

“Yes!” David said.

Mrs. Henders moved on to the next child. “Hello, are you Andrew Billings?”

“I’m a child too!” he said, “You can’t talk to me until my mother is here.”

Mrs. Henders sighed. This was her last year before retirement. And, she could hardly wait!!!