Lock Down in Locktown

“Make sure you’re there on time honey.” Claudette says leaving her 17 year old in the kitchen as she heads out to work. Sophina, the eldest of Claudette’s children, had a 9am meeting with her mentor regarding her letter of recommendation for college. Since today was “Friday Free”, the one un-holidayed Friday school kids in Locktown get off, Claudette scheduled her daughter’s meeting for this particular morning.

Claudette was in a great mood today. Just as most mornings, if not all.

She was getting everything she wanted in life, just as she planned out when she was younger. Only scratching the surface of a young 45, she looked good and felt even better. Mother of 3, still happily married to her high school sweetheart, and the assistant to the first black woman mayor in Locktown. What more could she ask for?

“Don’t forget Dad’s picking you up after practice today! I’ll be in the office finishing up work before family night.” Claudette yelled from the front door to Sophina.

“Okay mom love you byeee!” Sophina shouted back finishing her croissant. She always anticipated for the yelling her mother was doing at 6am, to stop.

“Good lord that woman could break glass if she wanted”. Tyree, Sophina’s serene father says, as he enters the kitchen. Tyree was off to his meeting with the community center this morning. He began coaching Locktown’s little league soccer team not too long after Claudette’s promotion. It had been Tyree’s dream to become a coach.

With Claudette’s promotion and Sophina, Jacob, and Leo being older now, he finally had room to make the do so after retiring as a pharmacist. And nothing made Tyree and Claudette happier. It was their dream life.

“I know right! Was she always like that dad?” Sophina asks. “You’re 17 and you don’t know your moms a morning person by now?” Jacob, 15, teases from the kitchen counter eating bacon and eggs next to Leo, 10.

With the work and time Tyree put into supporting his family as a pharmacist for 15 years, he was able to retire early and spend more time at home. All the while, Claudette could take on a promotion doing what she loved. Helping others and contributing to the community. She could dedicate more time and still make it home before night.

“Since you kids are off from school today, let me remind you. Leo, Jacob is in charge until Sophina gets back from her meeting. Sophina, you come straight home after your meeting and do your homework.” Tyree gently tells his children. “Yes dad.” They say in unison. “Alright. And make sure the house is clean please for family movie night. If you’re mother gets here after work and it’s not, you know what happens.” Tyree looks at his children reassuringly, awaiting their unanimous reply. “Mom resets the passwords to the game systems” they reply. “That’s right she will reset your password. Each and every one of them, for a week.” Tyree exclaims.

“Dad, can’t you guys come up with another punishment now? Just hearing you say that’s a possibility stresses me out. It’s like being in TIKTOK jail-for no reason!” Jacob cries.

Tyree replies “If it ain’t broke…” “Don’t fix it…” his children finish his sentence, again in unison. Truly a family of harmony.

“And just what do you know about tiktok jail young man?” Tyree reverts back to Jacobs’s statement. Questioning Jacobs behavior on social media he might not know about.

“My friend just got his account suspended last week on accident. He was live streaming rough housing with his brother and I guess tiktok didn’t like that. So they put him in tiktok jail for a week.” Jacob told the room.

“Well that is unfortunate isn’t it.” Tyree says with relief.” Thank god for his well behaved kids.

Tyree kissed his children and headed out the door. Confident it was going to be a great day. And that his children would keep their word because little did they know. When the house isn’t clean, Mom changes Dad’s bank passwords too.