There is no major reason to mention that Savannah was one of two white girls in the predominately Hispanic classroom except to explain that she just didn't fit in that well. She didn't really pay attention to skin color anyway, but I was hoping no one else did either. As a matter of fact, I remember when she was in second grade she described her classmate as, "that girl with the dark skin". I remember thinking, that could be anyone in her class.
Being the over protective mom that I am, I was concerned that Savannah was being bullied even though she never indicated so. I knew that bullying could be a problem in any school, and I was afraid for my children.
One day Savannah came home with a book she got from the Scholastic Book Fair. I had given her money to get Sean one because she wanted to surprise him with a book, but she didn't come home with it. I asked her why and she said, "Elyse took it".
Hold me back!
The next morning I went to Savannah's classroom and explained that I wanted to speak with Elyse about taking Savannah's book. The teacher allowed me to do so. I walked over to darling Elyse who was sitting in her desk. I knelt down, so we were eye level with each other. I said,
"Hi Elyse. I'm Savannah's mom. Savannah bought a book for her brother yesterday at the book fair. She said she let you look at it, and that you didn't give it back. Do you have the book?"
"No."
"Do you know where it is?"
"No" (with a little bit of attitude)
The whole class was watching so I had to be cool. I calmly said:
"I see. Savannah, Elyse said she doesn't have the book, and she doesn't know where it is."
Savannah nodded while daggers were shooting out of my eyes. I said:
"I guess you'll have to get your little brother another book because the one you bought as a gift for him was taken by 'somebody'. Even though I believe you, we can't prove that Elyse took it because there are no witnesses. Okay, Honey?"
Savannah nodded.
I stood up to walk away when I saw Elyse lift her desktop. She pulled out the book that Savannah had bought for Sean. She handed it to me and I said, "Thank you, Elyse". I told Savannah goodbye and walked out.
I never mentioned it again.
Heath always said, "you know mom, the boy with the peach skin," or "Mom, that little brown girl." I loved the fact that he didn't know race at that time. Wouldn't it be nice if that was always the case.
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