Handling HOw to Separate

rough week..I get a call from my son's vice principle that he was seen on tape leaving the school before dismissal/cut class. I leave school to look for him-after a relentless unsuccessful search, I return home. It is now around 4:00pm and he should be here-low & behold he's comes in cheerful, like nothing had happened. (What's Good Mom?) roles off his lips and trotting behind him was Stephan. "Hey Ms. Kelly" he echoed. Angry, I said, Isaiah you can NOT have company now. Where were you? Stephan face dropped and he retreated to door, obviously with hurt feelings.

Variables - Oh NO!

This week has so far been my most challenging: Shakiya wasn't allowed out because her mother caught her boyfriend & another kid in her house while she wasn't there. She's not to have company while her mom is at work. Thankfully, I was able to speak to her on her cell phone.
How long? I don't know.

Off the the Hook

Stephan is still working through not having his cell phone, but has called me from home and has recently been coming by my house- alone.

March 11th

Step. & Brook came by to get my son to go hang at the playground & I noticed something was different about Step, but couldn't make out what it was. "MS. Kelly, my cell phone is off!" He was about to have a melt down and the differnece I noticed in him was No phone at his ear. He really did look naked without it. "He ranted and raved about it being his grandmom's fault and that he wasn't speaking to her until she got it turned on. Brook laughed, as she text, read, text messages. Really upset now he yells at her "IT"S NOT FUNNY BROOK."
Why did I say that a cell phone is a luxury-WRONG Choice of words- He of course didn't agree, talking about how much he needs it until they all went out my door.

March 9th

Met with Shikiya at my house, where we talked about her life and what is important to her. Her likes & dislikes etc. We didn't talk about the things she struggling with, just all good stuff. She likes poetry-so we talked her favorites. her little sis seems to be important to her, even though she says she can work the nerve. She did say that her mother is mean, then changed it to strict. Her boyfriend Fatty (nickname) came up briefly. She seems to be kind of mellow, unlike my other informant (& Sidekick).

March 6

There is a God...Coming home from school, I saw my sons friend Shakiya hanging out at the playground with him; I asked her if she would participate in my school project. She agreed, we exchanged numbers and later that night her mother and I talked about what I had to do. I told her that I would like tp meet with her on Sunday-she said okay-no problem.
Shakiya and I spoke briefly and set up a time for Sunday late afternoon.

March 5th

Why was I surprized:>? Arrangements were made for Step & I to meet at Duncan Donut today and of course both he and Brook came trotting through the double glass doors. We did have a good coversation: Step talked about why he was thinking about quitting Choir, not wanting to be the only tenor. He was concerned because he said that "what if I my voice is bad during a concert, there is NO back-up! Brook laughs and say "you know can't sing anyway." He replied "that's why yo got kicked off of the track team." Almost simutaneously, they asked, "what are you buying us to eat." I replied, session up. Tee Hee. Just kidding, I told them they could each get a munckin....

Feb. 28th

One last shot! Today I will try to make separate appointment with each of them in hopes to see the separate "I AM's" of both.

Feb.27th

Origninally, Step & Brook were to be my separate subjects for information, yet after hanging out with them I realized that they are one. They are best friends and seem to feed off of one another-protecting/shielding each other from any potential harm. They have a sort of pact of secrecy that I as an observer can only be allowed in - if they are together. They were almost silent alone (like a bump on a log) yet together they came alive (like a morning sunrise). I'm thinking about keeping both of them as one informant & asking someone else to participate.

Feb.20th

Having second thoughts about Brook (13) being my second informant. I met with her at my house on the 13th and she was very quiet. When I asked her questions, she replied with one word answers this all in between the beeps sound of delivered text messages. Step came over about an hour later and she seemed to come to life. Talking & laughing and now asking me questions. Go figure!