Summary

Jacob is starting first grade. Karen muses that she is able to remember when she was in first grade and that if she could remember, then maybe Jacob would remember too. Karen writes about the routine that morning and how they had prepared and had breakfast. She also notes that no one had really mentioned the night before when she had yelled at Jacob. She mentions how even when they get nearer to the school and see crowds of children gathering, Jacob still holds her hand. Karen stops for a moment and tells Jacob that she has a surprise for him. The surprise is that she has signed him up for private tennis lessons twice a week. Jacob does not smile but remarks “cool” (309) and they continue walking. Karen asks if he does want to keep playing tennis and he responds by saying...