I can’t be the only parent whose joy at the start of school was cut short by an ill-advised Lynda-Carter-becoming-Wonder-W
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And you drive them to school, and you’re like “you want me to come in with you buddy?” and he’s like “no” and you’re like “really? It’s no big deal. I can walk you to your homeroom and-” and he cuts you off and says “no Dad” with a hint of nervousness in his voice, but also a steely resolve. And you ask if he wants his sister to walk him to class, and he pauses, and then says “yes”. And so you let them out, and you watch them disappear inside together. And now you’re alone in the car, and you have time to go to Starbucks if you want. But you don’t. And you can listen to the radio if you want. But you don’t. And you drive home in silence, and sit in your car in the driveway for a few moments. And something you can’t name inside you is doing something you don’t understand. And then it passes. And you’re out of the car, and walking inside, and greeting your five-year-old, and starting your day.