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A Reluctant Child
By Maria T. Olia
Still, there is no denying that Kian has always struggled in school. His fifth grade teacher used the educational term "reluctant student" to describe him. Special tutoring and small focus groups haven't made much of a difference.
Now, Kian is moving on to middle school. No more kindly teachers to deflect hurtful put-downs, or prevent "accidental" (on purpose) jostling in the hall. Both Kian and I know that he is an easy target.
"What if no one sits with me at lunch?" That only happens in the movies, I tell him.
"Can I have a new backpack? Cool kids wear cargo pants. Maybe I'll do better in math if I have mechanical pencils." I buy them all.
Kian memorizes the handbook that is sent to incoming students. I scan the "Clubs and Activities" section and find cross-country. Although certainly not athletic, Kian is lean, and I wonder why I hadn't thought of encouraging him to run earlier.
"The handbook says cross-country has a no-cut policy."
"You mean I'll make the team no matter what?"
"I think as long as you go to practices you'll make the team. Definitely."
In his first meet, he comes in 32 out of 36. When I meet him at the finish line, Kian looks at the ground and says, "At least I wasn't last." He is stil breathing heavily from his effort, and I hug his shaky shoulders, proud that he ran the two-mile course without walking or stopping. But the next week during a practice road run, Kian becomes lost.