“While you’re here,” says Mrs. Golden,
“let’s talk about your schedule for next year.
You’ll be in eighth grade,
your last year before high school.”
She pulls my schedule from the same manila folder
and puts it in my lap.
I skim the list while she reads:
English
Math (Not algebra)
US History—Civil War to Present
Art
Music
Physical Science—Intro
Home Economics
Gym
Clubs (optional)
“Do you have any questions?” she asks.
“Can I change my schedule?”
Her eyes narrow. “What do you want to change?”
“I want to swap home ec for shop.”
Mrs. Golden sits back in her chair.
It squeaks.
She frowns.
“Why would you want to do that?”
“I want to learn how to make things in shop.”
“But you learn how to make things in home ec.”
“I already know how to cook and sew.”
We look at each other. I breathe
and remember
drip, drip, drip,
respectfully. “So, may I?”
“I don’t know
what you did in California
or what they taught you there
or what your family believes,
but that’s impossible here, Mimi.
Girls don’t take shop.
Really—do you see any boys
wanting to take home ec?”
I know this subject is also closed
for now.