Mac stories #1

When Mac was in kindergarten, I sent him to a Catholic school because it was the only one in the city that had all day Kindergarten (even though we were United Methodists). Mac was smart and board and needed to be occupied and encouraged.

I got a call from the principal one day, that I needed to come to the school immediately for a parent/ teacher conference. As in RIGHT NOW.

When I got to the school I found Mac, in his little uniform, sitting outside of the office, swinging his legs. He looked at me and smiled.

I went in the office and the principal said Mac had been doing something inappropriate on the playground at lunch. She called him in and then told me that he was teaching the other children how to play Blackjack during lunch recess. Then he would beat them and take their milk money. He had about $8 in coins in his pockets and stashed in his lunch box... with his deck of cards.

I know she wanted me to be appropriately chagrined, and I was. I had no idea what to say. he had been gambling at school! He was teaching other children to gamble! He was taking their money! She asked him what he had to say for himself. He said, "I don't cheat. And I don't know why you're made. Catholics play BINGO. Blackjack isn't that much different."

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm, oh god!

She looked and me, all aghast and appalled, and said, "What you do have to say about that?" I said, "Well, he does have a point."

Mac's mom,
Maggie