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His teacher and I share a smile. “Hi, Tammy.”
“How are you, Clarissa?”
“Hanging in there. A few more days of mental prep and I think I’ll be ready for another year of teaching teenagers.”
“I don’t envy you,” she chuckles. “I like them much younger. Especially this little stinker.”
“I’m fond of him too,” I say, glancing back at Dante as he buckles in. “Most days.”
“He got in trouble for trying to record on his phone during naptime.” She hands me his cell.
“Sorry about that. He knows to leave it at home.” I direct my sharp tone back his way, so he knows I mean business.
“I’ve seen his videos, they’re pretty awesome, and my son loves them too. You’ve got a budding star on your hands.”
“Don’t I know it,” I grin. “But I’ll have another talk with him.”
She ruffles his hair. “This one is bound for great things, and we had a talk today, no worries.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Have a good one.”
“You too.” She shuts the door, and I glance back in my rearview.
Dante sinks into his seat, ready with an excuse. “It was only a minute.”
“Son, we’ve gone over this.”
“But I’m too old to nap.”
“Uh uh. You’re getting to be a big boy, but I need a few workdays before school starts. Just hang in there. Big school in two sleeps.”
“I’m sorry, Mommy. I’ll do better.”
“You are better. You’re the best.”
“I know,” he deadpans. I laugh, and he nods toward the dash. “Old Town Road.”
I’m already shaking my head. “No. No way.”
“PLEAAAAASE,” Dante orders in the same tone I use when I’m at my wit’s end.
“Motown?”
“No Motown! Old Town.”
“Is there any other song?” I implore for mercy. “Like anything? I’ll listen to tribal music, French rap, I’ll even try bluegrass. Anything but that song.”
“Mommmmmy,” he whines impatiently.
I lift my head to the heavens. “Why, Lord, why? You gave him “Achy Breaky Heart,” wasn’t that enough? Couldn’t you have just stopped there? Did he have to make another hit that was so annoying it makes you want to chum up and feed yourself to the sharks?”
Dante giggles behind me. “What is “Achy Breaky Heart”?”
“It’s just as ridiculous as “Old Town Road” is, but for you, I’ll play it. If it will keep me from hearing that song one more—”
“Fine, “Baby Shark” then!”
