THE BOLAN CHRONICLES: Reading #44

44. Approximate Minutes Reading (AMR): 2

Introduction to Characters
Mrs. Kilner: Dean's 2nd Grade Teacher

THE BOLAN CHRONICLES

Chapter 3
A Real Live Policeman

**Second Grade**

However optimistic over the past couple of years Donna had been about a stable and happy family life, she had found it more and more difficult to believe in a future that looked to be anything better than what she had experienced throughout her own childhood. She refused to let go of hope.

Dean did well in the first grade. Once again, his teacher adored him. And second grade was no different. Mrs. Kilner was a veteran educator. She started teaching late into her twenties, and now at age 58, the skill with which she worked in the classroom was apparent from day one. 

On the evening of open house, Mothers, grandparents, and a few fathers walked into the 1st grade classroom, hands held tightly by their wide-eyed six-year-olds. Donna and little Dean were no different. 

After the teacher had introduced herself to a few of the others, she made her way over to them and held her hand out to Dean. “Good morning, young man! I’m Mrs. Kilner.” She was a tall woman with long, slender arms. Her face was creased with lines, all the more accentuated with a grin. The green sweater she wore seemed to blend seamlessly into her pleated skirt.

Dean looked up at his mother. She smiled and nodded. Dean replied, “I’m Dean. Dean Bolan.” Her hand completely surrounded Dean’s. 

“Dean Bolan. It’s very nice to meet you, and welcome to the second grade!” Then she turned her attention to Donna, “And I’m sure that I don’t need to ask. The eyes, the chin…this has to be Mom.” And she shook her hand.

Smiling, Donna replied, “Yes ma’am. I’m Donna. It’s very nice to meet you.”

Mrs. Kilner cocked her head and said, “Did you say that your last name was Bolan?”

“Well,” Donna looked down at Dean, “Dean did, yes.”

Her forefinger covered her lips. “I”m just sure that I’ve heard or seen that name somewhere.”

Donna said, “Maybe a student from the past?”

“Mmm. Not sure about that. I don’t recall having a Bolan before.” She shook her head, “Can’t think of it. Well, welcome to the second grade, Mr. Bolan.” She smiled and turned to greet the family standing next to Donna.

After they had spent several minutes perusing the room, Donna and Dean bid Mrs. Kilner goodbye. They were half way to the car when they heard her calling them from the classroom door. Donna turned and saw her briskly walking toward them. 

“I remembered!” She announced. “I read an article in The Post about a police officer named Bolan.”

“Yes,” Donna replied. “That’s my husband, Jake.”

“My goodness, Mrs. Bolan! What a wonderful story about your husband!” 

She looked down at Dean. “Your daddy is a police officer! That’s pretty neat!” 

Dean grinned slightly but said nothing.

“Well, we’ve solved the mystery, haven’t we! You two have a nice evening, and I’ll look forward to seeing you for our first full day tomorrow!”

On the way back home, Donna asked Dean what he thought about his new teacher. 

“She seems nice,” He said. “She’s really tall.”

Donna smiled, “Yes, she is honey. She’s really tall.”