set in stone. chap. 2

Kayla walked into P.S. 95 in a hurried pace. She was late as she made her way to the elementary school, due to heavy traffic. She walked straight to her son's first grade teacher as she witnessed the quiet scene. Kyle sat on a small wooden chair by the window. His teacher, Mrs. Turner, stood by the board watching him quietly. Hearing Kayla's foot steps, she drew her attention away from the quiet child.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Turner." Kayla started. "I had a meeting and traffic-"

"It's OK, Mrs. Mckoy." She welcomed Kayla's shook nerves with her warm smile.

"How was he today?" The teacher sighed and looked in Kyle's direction.

"Quiet, again. He did as he was instructed to do, but if it insisted of him talking or communicating in some way with other student's, he'd just shut down." The woman said with sincerity. Kayla sighed and felt hopeless. "Don't worry, Mrs. Mckoy. Children are known to jump back after these situations. Just show him that you're fine. If he sees that, then maybe he'll come around as well." She explained. Kayla smiled in response and called over Kyle.

Kyle stood up from his isolated chair and grabbed his book bag. His teacher patted him on the back and reminded about his homework. He merely nodded and led the way out of the building.


"So, how was school, baby?" Kayla asked. She and Kyle were now in her Ford Explorer driving home. They were in the mist of traffic as Kayla waited for the isles of cars to resume moving.

"It was OK." He shrugged. "We learned about dinosaurs. Mrs. Turner says that its science." Dinosaurs were Kyle's favorite subject. Kayla remembered how Deion use to take Kyle on trips to the museum and point out the many bones and artifacts. That all happened before he got sick.

He looked outside the window as he spoke. Kayla watched him through the rear view mirror and watched as her only child from the man she loved began to drift away.

"Really? So what did you guys learn about?"

Kyle shrugged again. "We learned their names and stuff." He sighed heavily. "I don't feel like talking anymore." Kayla shifted in her seat as she felt a tug at her heart. She wanted to reach out and console him, but how? What exactly can you say to a child who was clearly close to their now dead guardian?

"OK, baby."


"Hey, boo. How did everything go with Dr. Lyles?" Kayla finally made it home after a stressful drive through traffic. She sat on her king sized bed conversing with Kim.

"It was deep, as usual." Kayla paused. She looked at the many pictures of her and her husband that sat on top of their shared nightstand. "We spoke about how we met." She cleared her throat lightly and exhaled.

"At least you're talking about it. Just remember that this is good. It's for both you and Kyle." Kim coached. "Speaking of little man, where is he?"

"In his room. I'm about to start helping him with his homework."

"Oh OK. Well then, call me back when you two are done. Send him my kisses." Kim ended the call. Kayla exhaled deeply as she replaced the cordless phone back on the hook and made her way to Kyle's bedroom.


"Hey there, little man." Kayla beamed as she stood in the doorway. Kyle sat on the plush blue carpet floor, while he played his racing car video game. Kayla entered the room and sat on his twin sized bed. "What's that you're playing?"

Kyle sat silent for a moment and finally spoke up. "Rundown 3. Daddy's game. He taught me how to play." He never took his eyes off the screen as he spoke to her. He was more concentrated on the task at hand.

"Well, how about you turn it off? I remember hearing your teacher saying that you have homework." Pausing the game, he stood to his feet and obediently cut off the game counsel. Grabbing his book bag and retrieving his homework sheet, he explained that he already did it and just needed a toy to bring to school. "Why don't you bring one of your dinosaurs you got at the museum?" Kayla insisted.

Kyle stood before her quietly as he shook his head. A memory of his father popped into his head. "Daddy got me those. I don't want the other kids touching them." His eyes held the attention of the blue carpet. In his mind, this conversation was over and his homework was done.

"Well then, let's make our own dinosaur. We can finish the one you and daddy made or we can start our own." Kyle shook his head and quietly sat on his bed. If anyone was close to feeling as empty as she did when Deion died, it was Kyle. Not only did he loose his father, but he also lost his best friend. "OK. I'll call you when dinner is ready." Was all Kayla could say as she walked out of his room.