This is the first scene of Chapter 27, in which Karen deals with her math problems with the help of a wonderful tutor. Please read, like, and share!
Scene 1: UCLA
Karen watched from the passenger seat as Mama drove slowly through the UCLA campus, comparing the buildings with the map the university had mailed her. Students carried heavy loads of books in backpacks and satchels. They sipped coffee from paper cups while hurrying between classes or waiting on street corners for the traffic lights to change. In her heart, Karen believed that if she studied hard enough, then someday she could become a college student, too.
After driving by the large buildings on the main campus, Mama turned into a narrow side road that led to a pleasant cul-de-sac ringed by small buildings, bungalows all alike, all painted off white. One of them had a brown wooden sign with Bungalow E painted on it. Mama parked by it. A gray wooden ramp with sturdy handrails led up to the front porch.
“Here it is, my Krana Layala. This is the place.”
“Oh, Mama, enormous butterflies have invaded my stomach.”
They both laughed. Then Mama said, “They should go away once we’re inside. It’s just the excitement of not knowing. Remember how nice this tutor sounded on the phone? I know you’ll like her. You’ve made a lot of progress with your reading, and now you’re getting a specialist to help you with math. Pretty soon, we’ll have your academics under control. We have both advocated, and we are winning.”
“Yes, Mama, I feel better about my academics now. Math is the only one that still kills me.”
“You wait and see, Kitten. Remember how you struggled with reading, and now you read all the time. It’s easy for you. Math will be the same. You just need somebody who can put you onto the right track, and then you’ll roll ahead on your own.”
Karen knew how important this was both to herself and to Mama. Turning within, she silently affirmed that she would succeed at math and that she would do whatever it took to master it.
“All right, Mama. I will succeed. I know I can do it, and I will.”
“Let me check our paperwork before we go in, sweetheart.”
After rereading the papers she took from her purse, Mama looked in the car’s rear-view mirror and added more deep red lipstick to her mouth.
“Do I look all right, Kitten? Is my makeup on straight?”
“Yes, Mama, you look great, and the rose-red dress is really pretty. How about me?”
“You always look good in your baby pink dress, dear. I think we will make a very grand entrance!”
Karen laughed with her mother. She felt more confident knowing that they both looked good. Without being reminded, she picked up her book bag and followed Mama. However, after they walked up the ramp and Mama pushed open the wooden door, her fear returned. She took a deep breath and looked into her heart for a peaceful state of calm.
Original text ©2022 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply