I was in elementary school when my step-day told me, “this world will try to take everything from you, but they can’t take your education. Learn as much as you can.” I did, I loved school. It was safe and it was a place where good behavior was rewarded by kindness. I needed that.
My eldest brother would test my math skills by making me do his homework; I would get every answer right. I would read interesting books and comb through encyclopedias. Words fascinated me. So much, my teacher suggested I be tested for the advancement of two grade levels. My step-father was so proud, and supported the idea. My mother immediately said no. I was a twin, she insisted we stay at the same grade level.
One day the school sent my mother a letter, letting her know that I qualified to attend a new magnet school for advanced children. Tech was on the rise and Edison Computech was opening. They were betting on early training for the new tech industry, specializing in building sophisticated CPUs. This, mother was for. Dre and I would remain in the same grade level, but we would do it at different schools. I didn’t like it. Who would help him? Who would protect him? I needed to stay with my brother.
It was the beginning of our junior high seventh grade year, it was official, Dre and I were being separated again. It would define the beginning of two distinctly different paths.
S
Comments