"Get out of bed, Michael."

"I don't wanna go to school."

"You're going to be late," Maria told him.

"So?"

"Get up."

"What if they don't like me?"

"They'll love you."

"What if they're mean to me?"

"You'll live."

"What if you call in sick for me?"

"What if you stop whining and just get up?" She sat down on the edge of the bed. "Why the sudden panic attack?"

"I suddenly remembered something."

"What?"

A grin twitched across his face. "I remembered what horrible creatures we were when we were in elementary school."

"I wasn't horrible."

"Please," he said. "Didn't we meet in the principal's office in third grade?" She looked at the ceiling. "And I'm well aware of what hooligans our kids are now."

"They aren't that bad."

"They have a drawer full of disciplinary forms in the office with the name 'Guerin' preprinted on them."

"Left over from when you went to school there."

"Probably, but Stephen and Leo are sure putting a dent in them. What was I thinking?"

She ruffled his already disheveled hair. "You were thinking about being a wonderful role model."

"I think I must have hit my head."

"You love kids and you love art. You'll be fine."

"I love *our* kids. And I love making my *own* art. What am I gonna do with a roomful of somebody else's kids?"

"Probably make a huge mess, horrify the rest of the staff, and have a terrific time."

"I'm not ready for this." He pulled the covers over his head.

"You'd better get ready." She pulled the covers back down. "School starts in two hours."

"Is it too early to quit?"

* * *

"You look fine."

"I look like a dork."

"Well, that's a given," Maria said as she straightened his tie. "But you look like a respectable dork."

"Don't make me go."

"I swear, I never had this much trouble with my *other* kids on the first day of school."

"Are you sure it starts today?"

"Do you have your lunch money?"

"Shoot me now."

She laughed. "I brought you home a sandwich from the CrashDown last night."

"I love you."

"Yes, I know. You still have to go to school today."

"Damn."

"Dad! Dad! Hurry up! We're gonna be late!"

"This is gonna be so cool!"

"We get to ride home with you, too, right?"

Michael sighed as he looked at the four children staring up at him expectantly. He shook his head in defeat. "I have to go, don't I?"

"'Fraid so, pal-y."

"All right. Everybody out." A small stampede ensued. "Kiss for luck?" he asked.

She shook her head. "Kiss for love. You don't need luck. You'll be fine."

He laughed softly and leaned into her. They broke apart at the sound of a car horn.

"All right already! I'm coming! You really think I'll be okay?"

"Of course, you will. I have faith in you. Always have."

"Why?"

"Because I love you. Now get going before they start filling out one of those preprinted Guerin forms on you your first day on the job. And don't forget - dinner at the CrashDown. It's tradition."

"If I survive."

She pulled at his tie as if to straighten it again but pulled him close for a kiss instead. "I love you. Now go."

"Yes, ma'am."

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