Column test #1

The classroom is buzzing with anticipation. Someone calls out, “Recess!” A few students cheer.

Chairs scrape across the floor. Coats come off hooks. Mittens drop to the ground.

Children weave around each other, talking over one another as they make their way to the door.

One student stands just outside the line.
Head down. Tongue pressed against the corner of their mouth.

Pinching the bottom of their coat zipper between two small fingers. They’ve almost got it.
Almost.

The line behind them starts to form.
A student sighs. Another asks, “Can we go yet?”

The bell rings.
The zipper slips apart.

You can feel the pressure building.

There’s a small moment where you think:
Come on…I know you can do this!

You crouch down beside them.
“Here, let me help.”

Your fingers find the zipper. Zip. Done.

The student looks up.
“Thanks.”
They hurry to catch up with the line.
The class heads outside.

The student got to recess.
No one was upset.

The routine stayed on track.
You helped.
And the moment was over.
Or so it seemed.