Meeting a New Six Year Old At School

Do you want the door open or shut? This is an administrator, asking me. “It is up to her, “ I say, indicating the six-year-old. She takes her time, making up her mind. Loving the power. Finally saying “leave it open a little bit.” When the admin leaves, the child shuts the door. Gives me a wide smile. I smile back. As we play with Play Dough she tells me her life story. I ask if she has a grandmother, she does. Where does she live? You know that brown house with the red car? I nod my head. Because it is easier. “If you see a man in skinny clothes going in there And he looks like he is going to watch old people TV That is my uncle.” I ask what Old People TV is. Black and white stuff. I have been wanting to make you into Play Dough for a long time. I remind her that we have just met. I am going to make you into a sports girl, she says. Here is your tummy. I tell her I have a big one and she makes it bigger. When I take her back to class she cannot stop hugging me.