Legacy | We Know Best Together
“Hey, mija, how’s it going with your new classroom and the third graders?” I ask Gina one night as we snuggle in my bed. “O…K”, she says. “Just OK?” “Well, they keep asking me,” her body turns away from mine and her voice becomes high and mocking, “‘Why do you have two mamas?’” “And you say…” “I say I don’t know. I don’t want to answer them.” Ouch. This unexpected jab goes from her heart into mine, and I reach out to gently stroke her silky brown hair. She recoils. Her guard is up, although the bridge across the moat to her corazón is not completely pulled shut. My mind races to protect myself with the sword of logic. This is their fifth year in a school district hailed for its diversity and open-mindedness. What haven’t I done to prepare her and her twin brother to answer this “two mama” question? “Lo siento, mi amor. I didn’t realize you would have to start from ground zero when I put you in George’s combined third and …