We Shine

Don't Trigger the Aden-Morgans

⚠️ Chapter contains racial slurs

Don't Trigger the Aden-Morgans

Mads and I came home a day early from visiting my parents. We are surprising the kids by picking them up from school.

Mads cranks up the kids least favourite song. Bohemian Rhapsody.

Their heads whip in the direction and they run.

We have all the windows open. And the doors are locked.

"Mom, Dad stop it! Open the door!"

Joseph climbs into the car through the window and turns it off.

"Are you crazy?"

"Wow I expected more of a oh my gosh you're back I don't need to be belittled by James anymore. But you know I guess that's okay." Madison says unlocking the car.

When we are all seated I start driving.

"How was school?" I ask.

"Fine." They all respond.

"Oh wow. The 'it's fine' stage has started?"

"Nothing happened." Xavams says.

Celeste and Seph agree with him.

I occasionally glance back through the mirror. I notice Jaylee isn't contributing.

When we get home I say. "If you are wearing green you can get out the car."

Joseph gets out.

"If you have the red pencils I gave you in your backpack you can get out of the car."

Cel and Xav leave.

"Lee you okay?"

"Dad I'm fine. I have a lot of homework can I go?"

"Would you like some help?"

She blows me off, "Maybe later." She leaves too.

"Jay I told you not to push." My wife scolds me.

"I'm not pushing. I'm just wondering where my bubbly ten year old is."

The house is relatively quiet. We even have a quiet dinner. Which is rare.

I give the kids their gift from Beth and dad. They spoil them.

Around midnight Mads or I will check on the kids to make sure they are asleep.

I know when they are asleep or not. Jaylee isn't asleep.

Her breaths are too jagged.

"Come on." I say softly.

She takes the opportunity to come into my arms from her bunk.

She leans her head on my shoulder as I carry her to my room to talk.

Madison looks up as we enter.

A solemn expression takes over her face when I pass Jaylee on to her.

"Lee you gotta tell us what's on your mind. We don't like seeing you conflicted. You know you can always talk to us about anything." She cradles her.

Jaylee slowly opens up. "Today in class we talked about identity. My friends asked me a lot of questions afterwards. I didn't know how to answer them."

I immediately get it, "They asked you what race you identified with, didn't they."

She nods. "They sorta answered for me which made me feel more confused. Farrah said I'm too light to be black and Nora said I'm too dark to be white. But I know I'm bi-racial. I'm not supposed to fit into one category completely."