Unconditional Love

Unconditional Love

            I hated the idea of going to a private school. When my parents made this terrible decision to send me to Northeast Christian Academy I battled them through the whole process. Every night we would argue and fight because I did not want to go there. I was only in the eighth grade at the time. The ninth grade had their own campus it merged all the eighth graders from four middle schools in my area. I wanted to go to the ninth grade campus with all of my friends from the other middle schools. Instead of being excited about the transition into ninth with everyone I was faced with a series of entrance examinations that the private school gave.

My parents knew Mrs. Peggy, the counselor of NCA for years. I grew up with her grandson and played basketball on a community league her husband coached for years. I was unaware Mrs. Peggy was in charge of going over the entrance examinations. I sat across from her at her desk as she reviewed my test scores. She instantly became pissed at me for. Mrs. Peggy is a heavier set woman, when she is angry you don’t want to be in her way, but you especially don’t want to be the person her anger is geared towards.

She said, “Your scores averaged at a fifth grade level. Did you even try on this?”

I replied, “yes I did try, I tried very hard.” But of course she knew I was lying to her.

“Sandra, you will take this exam again in my office. If I don’t think your trying I’m going to tell Hal and he will make you run suicides until I say so, don’t test me.”

All I could respond with was “Yes ma’am.” As I left her office I could hear her calling my mom already to reschedule another examination.

            While I sat outside the school waiting on my sister to pick me up I kept thinking this is not what I want. I don’t even attend church. My brothers and sister did not go to a private school why should I be forced to? I could only think of this opportunity as a punishment. When Kris arrived it was a quiet car ride, she knew I was upset about having to go to this school. So instead of going home Kris took me to Taco Bell. After we ordered our tacos, got our drinks and chose a table to sit at her questions began.

“So mom told me you failed the entrance exams. Why? How did this happen?

I said,  “I did not know, I tried very hard.”

Kris wrinkled her nose raised her eyebrow as she peered at me, “Sandra you didn’t test at a fifth grade level when you were a fifth grader. I wont tell mom and dad I just want to know. Did you do fail on purpose?”

Her questioning was so blunt and to the point I could not help but to try and hold back my cricked smile as I told her, “I don’t want to leave my friends.”

She responded with, “you are not leaving your friends behind. Your friends are your friends no matter where you go, your just expanding your network.” I sat and thought about what Kris said while I ate my taco. “What if I don’t make any friends? What if I don’t fit in at NCA? I don’t even know anyone that goes there.”

Kris told me, “screw’em, if they don’t like you too bad. Just be yourself and you will make friends. I like you and you’re my sister.” I laughed and instantly felt better.

My sister has always taken responsibility for me. When I wanted to learn to ride a bicycle Kris was quick to show me how. When Kris started playing volleyball I wanted to play also. I did not want to admit to her I didn’t want to go to NCA is because I wanted to go where her and my brother had gone to high school. Kris is more like my mom to me at times than a sister. My parents vacation so much I grew accustom to her looking after my older brother and I. Kris also grew accustom to watching after us, she became very good at tell if I was lying.

When Kris pulled into the driveway to our house she told me, “just go to your room and let me talk to mom and dad.” I don’t know what was said but I did not get into any trouble for failing the exam. The next morning Kris brought me back up to NCA for me to retake my entrance exams. When we walked into the school Kris politely informed the lady sitting behind the front desk in the lobby that I am here to take the entrance exam. I could see Kris looking around at all the students in their navy blue polo collard shirts with the NCA logo and pressed khaki pants while the lady called Mrs. Peggy on the phone. Kris expresses herself through her stylish clothes and hairstyles so I knew she was not impressed with the uniforms. When Kris’s eyes met with mine she leaned in close and whispered to me “pass this test and I will color your hair before you have to start school here,” my face light up with joy. Kris had recently finished cosmetology school and I wanted her to color my hair but she kept telling me I was to young.

Once I finished my exam Mrs. Peggy had me stand there while she reviewed it. After she finished she looked up over her reading glasses and said, “Sandra this test actually reflects the wonderful young lady I know and love!” I smiled and said “Thank you, I am sorry for causing you trouble.” She stood up and gave me a huge hug and said “I think you will be happier here than what you are expecting.” She walked me to the front lobby of the school where I saw Kris sitting patiently by the attendance desk and texting on her phone. Kris looked up from her phone and smiled at Mrs. Peggy and I. She instantly stood up and put her phone away.

I asked, “Have you been waiting this whole time for me?”

Kris responded. “Iv been out here talking to Mrs. Whitehead here, she’s in charge of the attendance here and she has been telling me about your new school. Good afternoon Mrs. Peggy, how’d our girl do on her test?”

Mrs. Peggy gave Kris a hug and told her, “Sandra passed all her exams this time, I was worried there for a minute, I thought was going to have to hang her up by her toes!”

Kris responded with a lighthearted laugh, “nope, I did that last night.”

When Kris and I left the school before I could get into her car she grabbed me and gave me a huge hug. “Oh my baby sister! I am so proud, I knew I didn’t raise a dumbass!”