Tess came bounding up the front steps. Red faced and sweating from her energetic dash from the corner bus stop she burst into the house.

“Mom, where are you? I need to tell you something important,” Tess called out loudly in her little girl voice.

“Tess, I’m right here,” her Mom said from the Kitchen doorway. “How was first grade today? Do you have any papers in your backpack that I need to see? What about homework?” Tess’ Mom questioned as she noticed the carelessly dropped backpack leaning against the wall in the hall.

Tess, following her pointed gaze, realized that her Mom was not going to listen to anything else until all her questions had been asked and answered. Sighing, she moved back into the hall, retrieved her blue backpack from the hall and carried it into the Kitchen. Opening it, Tess withdrew her Math book, Spelling, and a long, white envelope, which she handed to her Mother.

“I have to do page thirty in Math and study for my spelling test,” Tess said slowly. “What’s in the letter, can I see?” She asked watching her Mom open it and begin to frown.

“It’s from your teacher, Ms. Hassle. Go ahead and work on your homework. We’ll talk about this more when you’re done. Make sure to study those spelling words because I’m going to quiz you before you go to bed tonight.”

“Mom, I always make a hundred percent on my spelling tests,” Tess protested. “Why can’t we skip one night of practicing my words?”

“Tess, just because spelling comes easy to you is no reason to take a night off. The words will get harder as you go from grade to grade so it is better to get into the habit of studying them every night, now.” Her Mother reminded her quietly.

“ Maybe you are right,” Tess responded sitting down at the table. “Guess I’ll start with Math.”

Looking down at the letter in her hand, addressed to Mrs. Beth Stevens, her Mom nodded absently and headed into the Den.

“Mrs. Stevens, there are some things that I would like to go over with you. Please come and see me at your earliest convenience. Perhaps after school tomorrow, if you have the time?” Sincerely, Ms. Hassle.” Beth read silently.

“What could be the problem this time,” Beth wondered. “Nine weeks into school and nearly as many notes have come home. This just doesn’t make sense. No explanation, just a terse note that Ms. Hassle wants to see me.” Beth mumbled to herself. “Does this woman have nothing better to do with her time than send notes? Oh well, no time like the present,” she said pulling out her daughter’s class information.

Locating the teacher’s home phone number on the page she reached for the phone and dialed.

“Hi, Ms. Hassle, this is Beth Stevens. I received your message and would be glad to meet with you after school tomorrow. Could you tell me what this is about?” Sighing, she hung up the phone. “Like usual, Ms, Hassle will not tell me over the phone.” Beth remarked to herself.

“Mom, I’m done with my homework. Do you want to test me on my spelling words now?” Tess asked walking into the room.

“Do you think you’re ready?” Her Mother inquired teasingly.

“I am always ready. Who wouldn’t be? These words are easy! Come to think of it, the Math is a breeze too.” Tess casually commented.

Reviewing the spelling words didn’t take long, they never did. Her subjects came easy to Tess. The daily worksheets that came home almost always were perfect scores, none wrong.

Keeping this in mind, Beth couldn’t help but wonder, again, what this latest meeting with Ms. Hassle was about. Shaking her head in frustration she headed upstairs to say good night to Tess.

“Mom?” Tess asked as she got into bed.

“Yes, Tess, what is on your mind tonight?” Her Mom responded, tucking the covers under her chin.

“Does Ms. Hassle not like me or something?” Tess questioned after a brief moment of silence. She lay there looking up at her Mother as she waited for an answer.

Beth looked at her daughter in surprise. “What makes you think that Ms. Hassle doesn’t like you?”

“Well, when I get done with my morning work and everyone else is not, I take it up to her desk and put it in the wire basket to be checked. Ms. Hassle gives me a mean look and says that I should be in my seat and that I am disturbing everyone else by getting up. I raise my hand to let her know that I am done, she looks right at me and then back down at what she is doing at her desk, like she didn’t see me. Why would Ms. Hassle do that?”

Frowning, Mrs. Stevens regarded the sad expression on her young daughter’s face. “I don’t know why Ms. Hassle would do that. Perhaps she was distracted because she was thinking about something else.”

“When other kids get out of their seats, they don’t even raise their hands and Ms. Hassle doesn’t say one word to them. It’s not fair!” Tess wailed.

Trying to calm her down, Mrs. Stevens said, “I have a meeting with your teacher after school tomorrow. Hopefully, I can find out what is going on. Okay? Now get some sleep or you won’t feel your best at school tomorrow,” Her Mom responded.

Tess nodded. Saying her prayers quietly and then kissing her Mom good night she turned on her side and closed her eyes.

Partially closing her daughter’s bedroom door over, Beth headed to the Kitchen to make a phone call. Just as she reached out to pick up the receiver, it rang.

“Hello?” She answered. “Tim, perfect timing, I was just about to call you. Did your flight get in on time?” She listened to his response and then asked, “How long do you think that will take, another day?” Beth began to pace as she again listened to her husband’s response. “It’s just that Ms. Hassle has requested yet another meeting after school and I really think you should be in on this one. No, I don’t know what this is about. She is as close-mouthed as ever. I really think Ms. Hassle enjoys keeping me in suspense. It will probable make as much sense as the last six that I sat through but I don’t know what else to do. I have already talked with the Principal twice this year about these meetings and even asked him to sit in on one with me. He said he didn’t have the time and thought that we could resolve any differences on our own. Could you try to make this meeting, Tim? It’s important. Okay, hope to see you then.”

Deciding that there was nothing to be gained by worrying about it further, Beth made the decision to turn in early and was soon fast asleep.

The next day flew by in a blur of activity for both Tess and her Mom. Before they knew, it was the end of another school day and time for the inevitable meeting with Tess’ teacher.

Tess looked up from her desk at the front of the classroom as her Mother walked in.

Ms. Hassle didn’t seem to notice Mrs. Stevens standing in the middle of her classroom. Instead, she focused on Tess. “Tess, you should be doing your homework, not looking around the room.”

“Ms. Hassle,” Tess began only to be interrupted by her teacher, who hadn’t even bothered to look up from the papers she was grading.

“Tess, no talking. Do your homework,” Ms. Hassle ordered.

Tess, looking silently up at her mother and then back at her teacher, started to cry.

Beth Stevens opened her mouth to confront Ms. Hassle about what she had just witnessed but didn’t get the chance. From behind her came a loud bang, as the door was slammed shut.

Both Beth and Ms. Hassle jumped at the sudden noise and looked towards the door. Standing there stood her husband; Tim and he looked anything but happy.

Meeting his wife’s gaze he said, “Looks like I made it just in time.” Then squatting down he smiled at Tess. “Come give your Dad a hug.”

Not even daring to look in her teacher’s direction, Tess flew into her Dad’s arms still sobbing. “Dad, I’m so glad you and Mom are here. I need you,” She whispered.

Mr., Stevens looked scathingly at the teacher who smirked. “Well, now I know why Tess doesn’t listen. She is obviously use to having everything her own way. Honestly, how can I be expected to teach her anything if you baby her?” Ms. Hassle questioned.

Tim looked back at her for a moment and then turned to his wife. “Tess doesn’t need to be in here for this. She’s had enough negative words tossed her way. Tess, go wait up at the office, okay” he asked her.

Tess grabbed her papers, put them in her bag and hurried from the room.

“I didn’t dismiss her,” Ms. Hassle snarled.

“This is a parent- teacher meeting, right?” Tim responded. “That means adults,” He said smoothly. “In case, some how, you missed this, once school let’s out for the day and a child’s parents come to get her, you are no longer in charge of her. That means, she doesn’t need your permission to leave,” Tim pointed out. “Now, let’s have our meeting, shall we?” He asked pulling a chair over and sitting down with his arms resting on her desk.

Ms. Hassle looked as if she’d smelled something rotten pass by but didn’t comment. Once Beth had also taken a seat close by she cleared her throat and began.

“Tess could be doing a whole lot better than she is. She is just not applying herself in class. I should not have to watch over Tess every minute to make her do her work. If she were to take the effort she displays in looking around the room and fidgeting like she does she would get her work done. Her homework is another matter altogether,” Ms. Hassle went on.

Beth could stand it no more. This just did not make sense. What she was hearing was in direct conflict with all the papers that had been coming home. “Hold on right there. Let’s take this one step at a time. What I’m hearing is that Tess wastes her time looking around the room doesn’t do her classwork or her homework. Is that what you are saying?” Beth demanded leaning forward.

“That’s right and I’ve got more to say if you will stop interrupting me,” Ms. Hassle said smugly.

“No, I’m done listening for the time being. I want to see absolute proof of what you are saying. Show me in your gradebook the assignments that Tess has not turned in from classwork. The same goes for her homework. Show me these blanks and what assignments they represent,” Beth countered.

“Yes, I’d like to see that as well, Tim agreed. While you’re at it, show me Tess’ reportcard for the first quarter for comparison.”

Ms. Hassle had been playing with the edges of her gradebook like it was her trump card until he said that. “Comparison to what?” She now questioned.

“Why, we’d like to compare Tess’ grades that she received on all these assignments that she brought home to the gradebook that you say is incomplete.” Beth smiled sweetly. Now more certain than ever about what they would find.

Ms. Hassle looked like she was going to be sick when Beth lifted her red binder from her lap and placed it on the desk, still holding onto it. “I cannot allow you to look in my gradebook. Her grades are not the only ones in there. It would be against school policy to let you.” She said lamely.

“Let me see her reportcard, you said that she could be doing better. Fine, I want to see for myself. I can just as easily compare the papers in this binder to the grades that you gave her on her reportcard,” Tim responded. “If what you are saying is true these papers should tell the same story as the reportcard. Are you going to tell me that that also is against school policy? That you cannot hand over the reportcard, now?” Tim leaned back in his chair and waited. He didn’t have to wait long for the teacher’s response.

Standing, Ms. Hassle darted to the class phone and called the office. “Could you ask Principal Sands to come by my classroom, please? Yes, there is a problem. I have a couple of irrational parents here. Thanks.” She returned to her seat smiling at them.

Tim and Beth Stevens looked at each other half-amused and half disgusted but they said nothing. Waiting for Principal Sands to get there felt like a million years as they counted the minutes tick by.

Finally, fifteen minutes later, he entered. Walking right past the Stevens, he went around the desk and stood next to Ms. Hassle. He nodded to her and fixed them with a stern look. “Why are you giving Ms. Hassle a hard time? You should appreciate all her hard work instead of coming in here causing trouble.”

Tim and Beth were dumfounded. Here this Principal Sands had refused to sit in on any previous meeting that Beth had had with the teacher and wasn’t here for the start of this one, either. Now, to make matters worse, he was siding with Ms. Hassle without hearing what they had to say. Talking down to them, like they were a couple of his wayward students.

“Principal Sands.” Tim responded, laying a hand on his wife’s arm to signal her that he would handle this. “I do not believe we’ve met. My name is Tim Stevens; this is my wife Beth, whom you have already met. We are here for a parent-teacher meeting with Ms. Hassle, at her request. Granted, Ms. Hassle probable didn’t expect me to be here since I was not able to make the other six such meetings that she held with Beth but I am here now. I had hoped that perhaps my daughters recounting of things that happened in school, particularly in class, had been a six-year-olds exaggeration. From what I saw upon entering Ms. Hassle’s class today, it is painfully apparent that what Tess has told us is just the tip of the iceberg.” Tim stated looking at Principal Sands.

Ms. Hassle glared at Tim. “Principal Sands, they wanted me to let them paw through my gradebook. I told them that was against school policy since Tess’ grades are not the only ones in there. They were adamant that they were going to see it. Then, when they saw that I wasn’t going to let them, they demanded to see her reportcard when, as you know, it hasn’t been distributed to the class mailboxes yet,”Ms. Hassle declared.

Principal Sands looked satisfied with that answer. Turning to the Stevens, he addressed them both. “You tried to get one of my teachers to break school policy in regards to the gradebook, the reportcards are not out yet and you are assuming a bullying tone with me. This meeting is over.” He said curtly waving them towards the door.

Beth picked up her red binder and was about to leave when she caught sight of Ms. Hassle’s smug expression. Turning back, with a glance at Tim, she faced Ms. Hassle. “You wanted this meeting and yet you were unprepared for it. Not once did you show us any shred of proof to back up the lies you told us, in regards to our daughter, Tess’ class performance. In fact, you did the opposite. When confronted with these discrepancies you hid behind school policy and called for Principal Sands. That tells me all I need to know about what kind of person, not to mention teacher, you are.”Beth then looked at Principle Sands. “When I let you know some of the things that Ms. Hassle said to me in the past meetings you brushed me off. I let myself believe that it was because you were busy or did not understand fully what I was dealing with in these meetings. Now, I see it’s because you do not care and do not want to know. You, including your teachers, apparently, regard any parent who actually cares about their child and their education, as a threat of some kind. Ms. Hassle used the term irrational. I find it repulsive but very telling that you as a school representative refuse to hear any complaints or concerns that parents, such as ourselves, bring to your attention. Funny, in your beginning of the year speeches and in your handbooks, you claim you want to have parents involved in the school and what is being learned. When you get it you treat the parents as outsiders, an inconvenience. Perhaps what you should tell everyone from the start is that you want only those parents involved that will blindly do what you want and will not ask any uncomfortable questions.” Having said what was on her mind, Beth preceded Tim out of the room and down the hall.

Tim waited until they were out of ear shot before speaking. “Beth, I had no idea things were this bad. To be honest, I thought maybe you were being overly protective of Tess. You know, the mother bear protecting her young, making you too sensitive to the stories that Tess was coming home with,” he said glancing at his wife for her reaction.

Beth shook her head. “I’m just as guilty of letting it get this far. Had I given more credence to what Tess was telling me instead of trying to explain away Ms. Hassle’s behavior, we might have caught on earlier.”

“Who wants to believe that the people that are entrusted with teaching and molding young minds, our children, can be doing the most harm,” Tim mused as they reached the office.

“Mom, Dad, can we go now,” begged Tess as she darted towards them.

“Yes, we are leaving now. Relax, it’s Friday. You can play outside, have a friend over or just kick back and watch a funny movie with your Mom and me,” her Dad told her.

Tess smiled but didn’t truly unwind until they were in the car and a mile down the road. Suddenly, she piped up from the backseat, “Mom, what is homeschool?”

Her parents shared a confused look. “Where did you hear that?” Her Mom asked.

“Megan. She use to sit in the same row as me until Ms. Hassle moved me up by the wipeboard. Anyway, her Mom had a meeting with Ms. Hassle last week and Megan said her Mom came home mad. Then this week, yesterday in fact, Megan’s Mom came to school and talked to Principal Sands. After that, Ms. Hassle got a message sent from the office that Megan’s Mom was there to pick her up. When Megan started to put her books in her bag, Ms. Hassle said she wouldn’t need them. I thought that was strange. Ms. Hassle said that bad kids like Megan, who didn’t listen, got kicked out of school. That Megan wasn’t coming back. Megan started to cry and ran out of the room. In a few minutes she came back with her mother and she was happy. Her mom spoke to the class even though Ms. Hassle didn’t want her to. Megan’s Mom told us that even though Megan would miss us she was being withdrawn from this school. Megan was going to be homeschooled. She wasn’t being kicked out and she wasn’t a bad kid. Megan was leaving because she was not receiving the kind of learning that was good for her here.” Tess finished.

“I wonder what happened. Perhaps I should call Greta Tavish when we get home. It has been a while since we talked and I can find out what this homeschool is. I haven’t heard of it before,” Beth admitted to her daughter.

As they approached the house they could see a tan station wagon parked at the curb.

Tess let out a squeal of delight and exited the car as soon as her Dad had pulled to a stop in the driveway.

Simultaneously, the passenger door of the station wagon flew open and out burst a little red headed girl. “Tess!” The little girl called out running towards her friend.

“Megan, I missed you in class today. It was horrible,” Tess said gleefully hugging her.

“It’s only been one day silly,” Megan playfully replied.

“Yes, but it felt like years,” Tess emphasized as her eyes grew big as saucers.

“Hi, sorry to just drop in like this but Megan wanted to see Tess and frankly, I felt like talking like we use to,” Greta Tavish told them as they met in the driveway.

“Not a problem,” Tim smiled. “Why don’t we all go inside. The girls can play in Tess’ room while we catch up.”

“I was just talking about calling you,” Beth admitted. “I am a little embarrassed that we have sort of drifted apart in the last few weeks. We’ve been dealing with some issues up at the school and it has really got me turned inside out. I have not given much thought to anything else lately,”Beth continued.

“Oh. You’ve been having problems with the school, too? Here I was feeling like the only one that thought things were not quite right.” Greta gasped as they got settled in the Den.

“Ms. Hassle has sent home a note requesting a meeting with us almost every week since the beginning of this school year! I have been to six, no, make that seven meetings counting today,” Beth offered.

Megan’s mother looked startled.”Seven meetings, with Ms. Hassle?” I’ve been in to see her, myself three times. The first two were during gym and art class and then last week. I’ve even gone as far as meeting with Principal Sands. What a waste of time!” Greta said sadly.

“What precipitated your meetings with Ms. Hassle?” Tim asked as he poured coffee for everyone.

“Well, to be blunt, Megan use to enjoy going to school. Then it became a chore getting her out of bed and out the door. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t want to go to school. Megan started not sleeping and breaking into crying fits at the mention of Ms. Hassle or school. She would cling to me when it was time to get out of the station wagon and go inside. I would ask Ms. Hassle if she knew of any children Megan might be having a problem with. Of course, she told me there was no problem. It didn’t click that she was the problem until I requested a meeting with her. One that she hadn’t asked for. She tried to put me off until next month. When I said I wanted a meeting earlier than that, things got ugly quick.”

Beth interrupted. “How did things get ugly? What happened?”

“For the past two weeks, every assignment that Megan has turned in has come home marked up in red with nasty comments at the bottom. If Megan missed a question, it was because she was lazy and didn’t try hard enough. When Ms. Hassle couldn’t find any errors on he paper, it was because Megan cheated or another time, her handwriting was worse than what a two-year-old could do. When I approached Principal Sands with these papers he said that my time would be better spent teaching my daughter to work harder. Can you believe that? Not, that he was sorry Megan was treated so unfairly! No, instead he implied that Megan had brought it on herself.” Greta looked briefly at the Stevens before taking a swallow of coffee. “What is happening with Tess? Why all these meetings with Ms. Hassle?”

Tim looked at Beth “I think Beth would be the best one to answer that since I was only in on this most recent one.”

Beth nodded as Greta turned towards her. “Tess has been very bored in class. She gets done much earlier than most of her classmates and for some reason this bothers Ms. Hassle. From what Tess has told me it doesn’t seem to matter whether she raises her hand at her desk before getting out of her seat to place her finished work in the wire basket or not. Ms. Hassle says that Tess should be in her seat and that she is disturbing the class. This only applies to my daughter, it seems, since no one else in the class is yelled at for getting up or told that they are disrupting others. The work that they are doing in class comes very easy to Tess, which is why she finishes so fast. I have tried to see if the school would be willing to give her more challenging material to keep her from being bored, finishing too early and standing out in class. Ms. Hassle’s response was that every parent thought their child was the next genius. That we parents were not qualified to know what our children were truly ready for and should let the professionals do their jobs and stay out of it. Not only that, but that Tess couldn’t have different classwork without being tested by the school to see if it was actually necessary. I said so test her already. Ms. Hassle was quick to let me know that no child would be tested until the third grade. Boy, was she ever pleased to trash my hopes of getting this whole situation turned around for Tess,” Beth remarked grimly.

All three shared a moment of silent reflection on how difficult the whole situation had become in such an early stage of their children’s education.

Greta leaned back in the rocking chair. “Megan, doesn’t have to face that woman again. Yesterday, I pulled her out of school. Megan is officially withdrawn from Ms. Hassle’s class and from the school. Now I am homeschooling her. Today we spent transforming the old playroom into our new classroom. It was fun and Megan enjoyed having input in where her desk and chair went. She has not been this happy in a very long time.” Greta reported.

“Tess mentioned homeschool in the car on the way home today. She wasn’t sure what it was and neither were we,” Beth disclosed. “What exactly is it?” She wanted to know.

“Homeschool falls under the category of Non-Public Education. You, the parent or guardian must have at least a high school diploma. Plan to be the main person who teaches your child on a daily basis and keep up with the attendance and immunization records for your child. You do not have to use specific material as long as what you teach is on grade level for that child. The main thing is you, as the teacher, can fit the classwork to your child, not the other way round. Let them progress at a faster pace in the areas that are their strengths and proceed at a regular pace in other areas that need reinforcing. Before withdrawing, make sure you have filed a Letter of Intent with the county that you live in. Something to remember also is that homeschooling is handled differently from state to state. Legally, you do not have to put your child in a school of any kind until seven years of age. Since Megan is only six I didn’t have to wait for confirmation that my school was open before I removed her.” Greta commented as she resumed rocking.

“You sounded like a salesman right then, the way you rattled off those facts. They just rolled off your tongue like you’d been saying it for years,” Tim grinned.

“Well, I guess it’s because I’ve researched it a lot and thought about it even more before committing to do it,” Greta admitted.

“You certainly sound like you know what you are doing,” remarked Beth in a thoughtful tone.

Just then the two girls walked into the Den arm in arm.

“Mom, I just remembered, we didn’t let Cowboy out to do his business,” Megan half whispered in her mother’s ear.

Mrs. Tavish grinned at her daughter’s solemn expression. “Guess that means if we don’t hurry back we may have a mess to clean up. So we better get a move on, don’t you think?”

“I would say, definitely!” Megan laughed.

“Alright. Thanks so much to you both for listening and commiserating with me. I feel like a ton of weight has been lifted off my shoulders just knowing that Megan’s situation was not an isolated one. That it was not all in my head. ”Greta said standing up and giving both Beth and Tim a hug.” Don’t be strangers, pick up the phone, call, let’s get together, okay?” She asked as they all walked outside again. Greta settled Megan in the back seat and got in the car. With a final wave, they drove down the road.

Tim cocked his head to the side as he watched his wife. Beth was a million miles away. Probable in cyberspace, he thought to himself, preparing to research homeschool herself. He smiled and followed his wife and daughter inside.

It wasn’t until later, after Tess had gone to bed and they were relaxing on the couch that Beth mentioned homeschool.

Tim laughed. “You held out a lot longer than I thought you would. I’ve been thinking about it all evening too. Pulled up and printed off some information from the Non-Public Education website for us to read through. I found out some very positive things about homeschool. Those that homeschool tend to be able to cover more material and understand it better than their counterparts in public school. I think it has to do with the fact that the teaching is one on one versus a whole class to one teacher. Greta was right. You, being the teacher, get to have a direct affect on your child’s education. No more guessing what they are being taught, you know, because you are part of the process. It is really very exciting,” Tim finished sheepishly.

“Now who sounds like a salesman,” Beth grinned. “Let’s see these papers, hand them over,” she said laughing.

Beth read through the material while Tim wandered around the room.

“Well, what do you think?” Beth asked. “Should we give it a try? Make that leap and take charge of Tess’ education before it gets derailed any further?” Beth asked, waiting to here what Tim thought.

“I’m all for it, if this is what you want to do. Unfortunately, the bulk of the responsibility would fall on your shoulders, Beth, with the way my schedule has been going. Are you willing to be the primary teacher for Tess? I’d help out where I could. Like, taking over making dinner on the nights I’m home. I can try to move some things around so that the business trips aren’t back to back. You’ll still be able to work out of your home office, as needed. What do you think, Beth?”

“Sounds like we need to print out the Letter of Intent and put this plan into action,” Beth said nodding.

Tim struggled to keep a straight face as he produced more papers from behind his back and handed them to her.

At a glance, Beth could see that from the heading at the top, it was the Letter of Intent. “You knew I would agree that homeschool was our best option for Tess,” she stated.

“I could tell Greta had peaked your interest in homeschool, as she did mine, while she was here earlier. While you were folding the laundry I went on-line and pulled up all I could about it, including the Letter of Intent, just in case we were in agreement.” Tim acknowledged.

Swiftly they filled out the necessary papers and put them in an envelope to be mailed first thing in the morning after telling Tess of their decision.

For the first time in a very long while, Beth had no trouble falling asleep later that night.

When Tess ambled sleepily into the Kitchen the next morning she found both her parents waiting for her. Sitting down at the table she eyed them suspiciously. Still, they said nothing.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Did I forget to do something? My room is clean, you can check.” Tess mumbled.

“No, it’s nothing that,” Tim assured her. “Your mother and I wanted to talk to you about something we decided last night, after you went to bed.”

“What is it? Is it something serious? It must be, the way you are acting,” she answered herself.

“Tess, slow down and listen,” her mother insisted as she placed some bacon and eggs in front of her.

Tim waited until he had Tess’ full attention before continuing. “After talking with Megan’s mom yesterday and doing some checking of our own, we have decided to give homeschooling a try. How does that sound?” Tim asked his daughter.

“Does that mean I wouldn’t be in Ms. Hassle’s class any more?” Tess questioned.

“That’s right. On Monday, we will go up to the school and withdraw you and your mother will be homeschooling you here. We can probable set up times when you and Megan can do things together, as well.” Beth emphasized.

“It will be a change for everyone. A good one, I think,” Her Dad pointed out.

“I can’t wait to tell Megan!” Tess exclaimed. “Can I call her?”

“Finish your breakfast first and then you can give Megan a call, alright?” Her mother interceded with a smile.

Tess finished eating and raced to call her friend with the good news that she too was going to be homeschooled.

Watching her hasty departure, Beth remarked,” Well, that was easy.”

“Some how, I didn’t think it would be a hard sell,” her husband admitted.

They could hear her excited chatter and knew that this was truly going to be a turning point. A moment that they would remember all their lives.

Tim picked up the envelope containing the Letter of Intent, kissed his wife, and headed out to mail it.

The rest of the weekend went by with a flurry of activity. Beth met up with Greta and the two took the girls to the local School Supply Store and created the curriculum that they would be using for the rest of the year. While there, they picked up software for the computer that would make keeping track of grades and class work a snap.

Monday, Tess beat her parents downstairs. She waited expectantly at the Kitchen table having already turned the coffee maker on. When asked what she wanted for breakfast, Tess said that she was too excited to eat.

“At least have some juice,” her Mom insisted.

Tess, still full of nervous energy, obliged and then went to brush her teeth.

At last, it was time to go to the school. Everyone piled into the family car and they were off.

Tim and Beth had decided that while Tim handled the withdrawal at the office, Beth would accompany Tess to the classroom to empty out her desk of any personal items, return a school Library book, and say goodbye to her former classmates.

They split up outside the office after agreeing to meet back there in fifteen minutes.

Opening Ms. Hassle’s door, they were met with silence from the other kids. No one looked up from his or her desks. “I see Tess doesn’t think the rules apply to her,” Ms. Hassle said coldly, for the classes benefit.

“Tess, you should be in your seat five minutes before the bell sounds for morning announcements, you know this. Just because you’re with your Mother is no excuse. No recess for you,” Ms. Hassle said with evident relish.

“ I believe you have it wrong, Ms. Hassle. My daughter is here to get her things out of her desk, say goodbye to her classmates and then we are leaving,” Tess’ Mom informed her. “After today, you will have one less child to abuse.” Beth told her firmly.

Ms. Hassle was speechless, but not for long.” You don’t have the authority to come into my class, interrupt my morning routine and remove Tess from school,” she thundered.

“It’s all about you and your needs? Here I thought you were here for the children,” Beth calmly retorted as Tess waved goodbye to her friends and backed out of the room quickly.

Beth gave her daughter a hug and congratulated her on staying focused on what they were there for and not letting Ms. Hassle rattle her.

“The thing is, Mom, I was scared. Ms. Hassle was so mean and hateful I couldn’t stand it. I wanted to run from the room as soon as she started saying all those things.” Tess said still a little shaky from her final encounter with Ms. Hassle.

Her Mom smiled.” She is a bit much, isn’t she?”

Tess gravely nodded her head and took her mother’s hand as they walked back to the office for the last time.

“Everything go alright?” Tim inquired when he saw them.

“About as well as could be expected,” Beth said.

“That good, huh?” He replied.

“It was awful. Ms. Hassle said ugly things to Mom and me and tried to make me feel like a bad kid for not being in my seat before the bell,” Tess declared with a show of spirit.

Tim’s eyes darkened and his jaw clenched before simply saying,” I see.”

Beth quickly turned the topic to a more happy conversation. “We are now officially ready to begin your home education, Tess. Let’s get out of here.”

Tess was only to thrilled to be putting the school as far behind her as possible.

Once home, Beth and Tess made their way to their classroom, in-between the Den and the downstairs Bathroom. Tim returned business calls that had come in during their absence.

For the next few hours Beth went over Reading, Math, Spelling and writing. After which they took time to join Tim in the Kitchen for Lunch, followed by a walk around the block for some fresh air.

Afternoon brought Vocabulary and Social Studies. Then together Mom and Tess planned and cooked dinner. Which was a great way to incorporate some life skills.

“All in all, I’d have to say this has been the best school day I’ve had in weeks,” Tess exclaimed as she climbed into bed that night.

“I know honey, your Mom and I feel the same way,” her Dad said as he tucked the covers up under her chin.

In the Den he joined his wife on the couch and for once there was a peaceful expression on her face. This had definitely been a good day.

“I have to go out of town tomorrow but I will only be an hour away. The good news is that I will be able to complete my business meetings by four in the afternoon and be home in time to cook dinner.” Tim updated Beth.

“That works out fine. In the afternoon Greta and I are taking the girls to the craft store in town. Turns out, a couple of times a month they hold art classes for homeschoolers.” Beth informed him.

They were part of a whole new community -HOMESCHOOL – Tim smiled.