When Stars Are Made Of Gold

'When Stars Are Made Of Gold.'

Karl stood anxiously at the school gates amongst the chattering
mothers, wondering what kind of idle gossip they were partaking in this
time. Judging by their body language and the shifty sideways glances
they were giving him, he could hazard a guess that more than a few
derogatory words were aimed at him.
Since his divorce from Susie a little over six months ago, the same
mothers he used to talk with were now talking about him. He'd heard the
types of remarks they had made about others before. All the usual
blinkered views and comments such as: 'What a pig!', and 'Fancy walking
out on the child like that!' Karl and Susie's divorce was different
though, and went through as amicably as a divorce could. They both went
through great pains to see that Tommy wasn't affected too much by it
all and access for Karl was never an issue. Tommy lived with his Mother
during the week and it was agreed that he spent the weekends with his
Dad. Tomorrow they would take a trip to the funfair, and on Sunday, if
Tommy wanted to, they would visit the zoo. It was up to him.
Tommy was smaller than average for an eight year old and wasn't a
particularly confident child. He always gave his best at school and
this often earned him the title of 'Swot', but he worked on regardless.
Karl thought that at times he tried too hard and worried too much over
his school work, and his teacher, Mr Collins had mentioned the same
fact at Parents Evening, which both Karl and Susie attended last week.
He had also voiced his concern that Tommy had become more withdrawn
lately. They all knew the ability was there but something was troubling
him. Was he a victim of bullying, or a victim of divorce?
The school bell rang out; signalling the end of another week, and
within minutes the playground erupted into a cauldron of noise and
activity as children ran to greet their parents. Car engines fired up
in readiness to whisk their children away, while other mothers and
their children ambled across to the park opposite the school.
Ten minutes later Karl was still waiting for Tommy to appear. He was
usually one of the first out of school, especially on Fridays when he
looked forward to seeing his Dad. The other parents had left and Karl
was feeling ever more anxious when Tommy appeared from the building,
head down and looking none too happy.
Immediately, Karl tried to instil a little enthusiasm and called over,
'Hey fella, took your time didn't you?'
Tommy trudged up to the school gates, slowly raised his head and
forced a smile.
'Hi Dad,' he mumbled, lowering his gaze again.
'Hey fella, what's up?'
'Nothin',' came Tommy's sullen reply as he handed his schoolbag to his
Dad. They crossed the road and entered the park.
'Hey I thought we could go to the funfair tomorrow ? ride that new
roller coaster, what's it called?' He knew exactly what it was called,
only last week Tommy had asked if they could go on it, but Karl used
this to try and cheer him up.
' "Star Rider",' Tommy answered in a matter of fact manner and not
looking at all excited.
Karl looked at him pensively. 'Yeah, that's it. Star Rider.'
He had to find out what was bothering him and nip it in the bud. This
wasn't like Tommy at all, he thought. Yes, he knew he had a few
problems with schoolwork but he was always attentive, yet now he seemed
so distant. He was sure something deeper was playing on the child's
mind. Scared of something, perhaps. They sat down on a park bench.
'Tommy,' he said with more seriousness, 'you tell me what's bothering
you, ok?' He was met with a wall of silence, but persisted: 'Are you
getting bullied? You can tell me.'
'No.'
'Because if you are?'
'I'm not!' Tommy snapped back. 'I'm?' and his bottom lip began to
quiver as it always did when the truth was about to surface.
As Tommy fought back the tears, Karl put his arm round his shoulder to
offer comfort and prompt him into saying more. 'Go on, son,' he said
gently.
Tommy's lack of confidence began to show as he hesitantly said, 'Dad?
I?I just wanted?I just wanted to show you how good my work was.'
'But I know how good your work is,' he said, slightly puzzled by the
remark.
'Well I didn't get a gold star for my arithmetic. I wanted to get
one?for you. I've had two for Mum and none for you.'
'Tommy, listen,' Karl said. 'Those gold stars are not for me?or Mum.
They are yours. They're like a prize for doing good work, but it
doesn't mean you've done badly if you don't get one. Mr Collins can't
give a star to everyone, can he?'
'But Jack Cunliffe and Robbie both got one and they copied off each
other. I didn't copy off anyone and I didn't get one. It's not
fair!'
'No, I know it isn't fair, son. Some things aren't. But you tried your
best didn't you? And trying your best and not getting a star is better
than cheating and getting one, isn't it?'
Tommy thought about what his Dad had said and once the words sank in
he looked up at his Dad with a hint of a smile.
'Well I got my other stars without cheating, didn't I?'
'That's it!' Karl said enthusiastically. 'And do you know what? The
other gold stars you got may look the same as theirs but yours are more
special, because you earned them by working hard and being honest.'
Tommy's mere hint of a smile transformed into a beaming one that
stretched across his face. They both rose from the bench. 'So, there's
nothing else worrying you?' he asked Tommy, sure that everything was
fine now.
'Well yeah, just a little something,' came the unexpected reply.
Karl waited in anticipation, hoping it was nothing too serious.
'Go on then, what is it?'
Tommy grinned mischievously and there was a slight pause before he
said, 'You won't be too scared taking me on "Star Rider", will
you?'