They started making plans to bring me back to the city for school.
But I wasn't going back. I said:
"I want to stay here with Grandpa and Grandma."
Grandma was stunned. Despite how much she wanted me to stay, she shook her head. "Go back with your parents. The schools in the city are better, and you start first grade next year. Don't fall behind."
Grandpa chimed in too. "The teachers out here rap your knuckles with a ruler. City teachers hand out candy."
Grandma was strong. She scooped me up and stuffed me right into Dad's car. "You can visit us every break. Don't be stubborn, silly boy!"
The car pulled away. Mom's smile vanished the instant the doors closed.
"Living like a wild animal out there, weren't you? Don't even want to come home anymore? You're not even in school yet and you've already given up on learning. All you do is climb trees and catch crawdads. You're a boy. Can't you try to amount to something?"
I opened my mouth to defend myself, then stopped. There was no point. She'd already made up her mind about who I was.
When I didn't answer, she grew even more pleased with herself. "Nothing to say? Because I'm right, aren't I?"