Jayson Goes for It! by Brayden Harrington

Author:Brayden Harrington
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2023-05-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Back to Kindergarten

The week before our first debate, Sylvia has given me another “assignment.” I’m starting to have doubts about this switch. Who knew that a new therapist would mean extra homework? I have even more doubts when Sylvia wants to take me to a kindergarten class taught by her husband, Ted. I ask her to explain the purpose.

“Sometimes Ted has older kids come in to read to his five-year-olds,” she says. “They love it. I think you’ll love it too. Besides, in its own way, it’ll help prepare you for your first debate.”

“How?”

“You’ll see.”

As it turns out, Ted teaches at Stephen Foster Elementary, the very same school I used to go to. The weird soapy smell of the classroom gives me a funny feeling in my stomach. I don’t have great memories of the place because that’s where my stutter first began. It happened, just like it happened this year—on my first day at school when the teacher asked me to say my name. After I explain that to Dr. Fine, she says, “I understand, Jayson. But I see it as something you can work through. Another negative you can turn positive.”

I get permission from Dad to go with Sylvia to her husband’s class. Ted is a friendly guy with long hair that practically touches his shoulders. He’s wearing a Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics number 0 sweatshirt and Levi’s jeans.

When his wife introduces me, he catches me checking out his sweatshirt.

“I grew up in New England,” he says with a smile. “I love the Celtics.”

“I like Jayson Tatum,” I say, “but for me, it’s Golden State all the way.”

Jokingly, he says, “I’m sure we’ll learn to get along anyway. The kids are excited that you’re here. I’ve picked out a book I think they’ll like.”

There are fifteen kids in Ted’s class, and I have their complete attention. If they were adults or even kids my age, it might be intimidating. But I like how they look up to me, like I’m someone special. He’s chosen The Little Engine That Could, which was a favorite of mine when I was their age.

Usually reading out loud is the last thing in the world I want to do. It’s when I stutter the most. But reading to five-year-old kids is different. I’m not at all scared. Besides, I love little kids. I’ve always wanted a little brother or sister.

“You can sit on a chair,” Ted says, “or if you’re more comfortable, you can sit on the floor.”

I sit on the floor. I want to be close to the kids.

“This is a b-b-b-b-book my daddy read to me when I was your age,” I say.

“What’s it about?” asks one of the girls.

“It’s about t-t-t-t-trying really hard and g-g-g-g-getting where you need to go,” I say.

“You have b-b-b-b-b-bumpy speech,” says a freckle-faced boy. “I have bumpy s-s-s-s-speech too.”

I haven’t heard that expression before. I like it.

“Yes,” I say, smiling. “I have b-b-b-b-bumpy speech.”

The kids gather around me. I read slowly and, before I start each page, I show them the illustration.

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