While Jake had enjoyed getting to spend so much time with his children the past five years, he was also restless for the school year to begin. He had been looking forward to returning to work, eager to rekindle his career after taking a break to care for the twins. He envisioned himself back in the corporate world, tackling challenges, and achieving new milestones. The prospect of reclaiming his professional identity was exhilarating.

One evening, as Jake was discussing his plans with Klara, his excitement was palpable. “Klara, I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown by. With the twins starting kindergarten soon, and it’s finally time for me to restart my career.”

Klara looked down at him, her expression unreadable. “It’s great to see you so motivated, baby.”

However, Klara’s tone shifted slightly, and she hesitated before continuing. “But there’s something we need to talk about. As you know, Kelly and Kyle’s new elementary school highly encourages parent volunteers to work with the students. It’s a big part of their child-focused approach to education. Starting kindergarten can be a big adjustment, and having a parent involved can provide a sense of security and comfort.”

Jake was shocked. “You want me to start volunteering at their school? I thought we were going to discuss me going back to work.”

“Be patient, dear.” Klara replied, smiling in spite of herself. “When we first open the pool each spring and the water’s still freezing, do we leap right into the deep end? No, of course we don’t. We start by dipping our toes into the shallow end. Think of this opportunity as a way of dipping your toes back into the shallow end of the workforce.”

“Klara, I appreciate your concern, but I was really looking forward to getting back to work. It’s essential for my career, and it’s been a long time coming.”

“I’ve made my decision, Jake.” Klara’s stated flatly, a new edge to her voice. “I’ve already notified the school that you will be a full time volunteer. Believe me, you will be very busy. And what could be more rewarding than helping your children maximize their potential?”

Jake knew Klara couldn’t understand why going back to work was so important to him. She was making mid-six figures since her latest promotion, so his paycheck wouldn’t be much of a contribution to their family anymore. And he knew she believed her decision would make him happy in the long run, even if it didn’t right now. Her years as an executive and the family’s sole breadwinner had made her supremely confident. As her confidence had grown, Jake’s time as a househusband and stay-at-home dad had left him more diffident. While Klara took care to include him in decision-making when she thought it was appropriate, in certain matters her will was now indomitable. And after five years of marriage, they had both grown more comfortable with him taking a more submissive role. After all, Klara was an excellent provider. She deserved his full support.

“If it makes you happy, then I am happy.” He felt his resistance to her decision melt away before he’d finished speaking the words.

Before he knew it, Labor Day had come and gone and it was the first day of school for him as well as the twins. After cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast, Jake got dressed quickly and then sought out his wife.

“How do I look?” he asked nervously.

Klara looked him up and down with a warm smile. “You look great, Jake,” she reassured him. “Just let me touch up a couple things.”

Jake tried not to squirm as Klara fussed with the uniform she had given him for his first day of school: A light blue short-sleeve collared shirt, knee-length brown pleated shorts, and an uncomfortable pair of white flat-soled shoes. The words “Volunteer Assistant” were embroidered on the left breast of the shirt in darker blue stitching. It didn’t fit him the best, feeling maybe a size too large.

Klara looked him over one last time and then nodded to herself. “There. You look good. Now, let’s get going. We don’t want to be late on your first day.”

They gathered Kelly and Kyle and headed out to Klara’s car. Kelly strapped Kyle into his rear-facing car seat, while Klara helped Jake up into his forward-facing booster seat. Then Klara and Kelly climbed into the front of the car. The drive to the elementary school was quick, and as they arrived, Jake couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and anticipation.

“Remember, Kelly and Kyle, be yourselves, make friends, and learn as much as you can,” Klara said as she stopped the car in front of their new school. Her voice was filled with maternal affection.

Kelly nodded, her eyes wide with excitement. “Okay, Mommy!”

Kyle, ever the quieter of the two, simply smiled and nodded shyly.

Jake felt a swell of pride as he watched Kelly help her brother out of the car. The twins were growing up so quickly, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the part of their childhood that was now ending.

Once Kelly had closed the door, Klara turned her attention to her husband, her words carrying a tone of expectation. “Remember that your behavior reflects on all of us. Anna had to use some pull to get the twins admitted into this school, and I’d hate for her to come to regret it. I expect you to be courteous and obedient at all times.”

Once he’d agreed, Klara got out of the car and helped him down from his booster seat. As Jake stepped out of the car, he resisted the urge to adjust the uncomfortable uniform he was wearing. He watched as Klara gave each of the twins a hug and kiss, reminding them to be good students.

As Jake escorted the twins into the school building, he felt a pang of unease. While he had been looking forward to rejoining the workforce, this wasn’t what he’d had in mind. The idea of being a full-time volunteer at a school was a significant shift. However, he was determined to support his family and obey Klara’s decision.

As usual, Kelly was leading the way. “Me and Mommy visited the school last week, and she showed me our classroom. Come on, Kyle, I take you!”

Before Jake knew it, his children had vanished and he found himself surrounded by towering figures. It wasn’t just the teachers; after all, even in grade school, all of the girls were much bigger than he was.

As the last of the confused students were directed to the appropriate classrooms, found himself a loss at loss for where he was supposed to go. But eventually, one of the teachers spotted him in his uniform and directed him to the gymnasium.

When he got to the gym, the most massive woman he had ever seen was standing by the door. She was at least half a foot taller than Klara, and her wool sweater strained against her muscular body.

“You must be Kelly’s husband, Jake.” She said, after a glance at her clipboard.

“Oh yes! I’m Jake. You must be the headmistress, Agatha?”

“Headmistress Steelgrave,” She corrected sternly.

Remembering his conversation with Klara in the car, Jake backpedaled immediately. “My apologies, Headmistress. I thought I’d heard my wife refer to you as Agatha over the phone.”

Her frown deepened further. “We expect more formality from our volunteer assistants. Once you start working in the classroom, it’s important that the boys see you demonstrating proper deference to your superiors.”

Having made her point, and she stepped aside and permitted him to enter the gym.

Inside, Jake spotted a few dozen men seated on the bottom few rows of the bleachers, dressed exactly the same as he was. He moved quickly to join them.

After a few minutes, a new woman strode confidently across the gym and stood before them. She wasn’t quite as tall as Headmistress Steelgrave, but she was equally muscular. She was quite young looking, too, more like a college student than a working professional. Her long blonde hair flowed down one shoulder, coming to rest on her left breast. She was clutching a clipboard of her own. As she smiled at the assembled volunteers, Jake couldn’t help but notice how vibrantly white her teeth were.

“Welcome to Angelica Livingston Elementary, assistants!” the young woman began, her voice surprisingly youthful and girlish. “Many of you volunteered with us previously, but I see several names marked as new participants. Quiet please, so we can get started.”

The men surrounding Jake on a bleachers fell silent immediately.

“First let me introduce myself. You and the students will know me as Ms. Marshall. This is my first year here at the school. I’m currently finishing up my Master’s degree in Education, and I’ll be student teaching in Mrs. Walker’s classroom. But in addition, Headmistress Steelgrave has also asked me to serve as volunteer coordinator. Each of you will be assigned to a classroom and a teacher. But for matters outside of the classroom, I will be your first point of contact. When I’m not teaching, I will be visiting your classrooms and monitoring your performance. For our students to be successful, you gentlemen will need to provide the necessary support. If you want to be respected, you must earn it each and every day. No volunteer assistant is above the rules and anybody who violates them will be held accountable. Is that understood?”

Jake nodded right along with the other men on the bleachers.

She smiled brightly at their quick acquiescence. “With that out of the way, welcome! I have name tags made up for each of you already. I will read off your names one by one, followed by a teacher’s name, and a room number. When your name is called, take your name tag from me and then proceed directly to the room number identified.”

Ms. Marshall proceeded methodically down the list, and Jake watched as one man after another clambered down the bleachers, took his name tag, and then headed for the door. After a few minutes, he was the only one left.

“Jacob Tsai, Mrs. Walker, Classroom K-1,” she read finally, and then looked up from her clipboard.

“Looks like you’re with me, little man!” she said, smiling kindly as she handed him his name tag.

Looking at it as he pinned it to his shirt, he noticed that it just had his first name, “Jake”.

With the name tag pinned to his uniform, he followed Ms. Marshall out of the gymnasium and through the halls of the elementary school. After years spent mostly at home, the building felt cavernous. Brightly colored walls were adorned with children’s artwork and educational posters. As they marched through the school, Jake practically had to run to keep up with Ms. Marshall’s much longer strides.

When they got to the classroom, Mrs. Walker welcomed them warmly and provided Jake with a schedule of his responsibilities. Jake couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed as he glanced at the list of tasks that included assisting in classrooms, helping with school events, and supervising the children during recess.

“Class, this is Jake, our new volunteer assistant. Can you all say hello to him?” Mrs. Walker encouraged the children.

“Hello, Jake!” the children chimed in unison. Kelly waved to him from the back of the classroom.

Jake couldn’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. “Hello, everyone! I’m excited to be here with you all.”

“I was just walking the kids through our morning routine,” Mrs. Walker explained. “Next up is the Pledge of Allegiance! We practiced a few times already, and now Erin is going to lead us through it.”

She gestured to the blonde girl in the red t-shirt standing at the front of the class.

“Her mother taught her the words when she became our state senator. Jake, why don’t you join us this time?”
Jake soon found himself at the front of the class, standing in front of the chalkboard next to the blonde girl in red. His chin barely cleared the chalk and eraser tray along the bottom edge of the chalkboard.

Facing the rest of the kindergarten class, Jake stood there with his hand over his heart staring up at the large flag pinned to the wall over the chalkboard. When Erin began to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, he took care to match her words and pacing along with the children.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Matriarchal States of America…”

While the girls’ voices were united in patriotic recitation, many of the boys seemed to be stumbling over the words which were still so new to them.

“…and to the sisterhood for which it stands, one Nation of women, by women, and for women, with compassion and camaraderie for all.”

It felt surreal to him, being in a room full of kindergartners, behaving like one of them. Standing at the front of the class, Jake felt like there was an uncomfortable spotlight on him. But he knew he had to follow the classroom rules.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Mrs. Walker led the class through various lessons and activities. Jake tried his best to assist, helping students with their assignments, answering questions, and occasionally redirecting their attention when they got distracted. However, the children quickly picked up on the fact that Jake didn’t have the same level of authority as Mrs. Walker and Ms. Marshall. He couldn’t help but notice that the girls especially didn’t take him as seriously as they did their female teachers. It wasn’t long before they started testing his limits, talking over him, and occasionally disregarding his instructions.

By contrast, Mrs. Walker’s authority was absolute, and the children followed her instructions without question. Jake found himself impressed by her ability to maintain control while fostering a warm and nurturing atmosphere. He was beginning to understand why the headmistress had assigned Ms. Marshall to her classroom.

The staff lounge was restricted to faculty and female staff, so Jake sat with the other volunteer assistants in the cafeteria at lunch. They were all men like him, wearing the same uniform and following the same rules. They shared stories and discussed their experiences so far. Most of them had never worked outside the home. And even those who had worked had held subordinate positions like receptionists, file clerks, and janitors. Only one of the other volunteer assistants had attempted an actual career like Jake had. This was Tom’s fifth consecutive year as a volunteer assistant.

“It’s not easy, is it?” Tom leaned over and whispered. “Being a volunteer assistant is a lot different from the corporate world.”

Jake nodded in agreement. “It’s a major adjustment, that’s for sure. I’m used to collaborating as part of a team, and now I feel like I’m just following orders.”

Tom chuckled. “You’ll get used to it. Wait until you get to fourth grade and they start making you address the girl students as Ms. So-And-So. But whenever I get frustrated, I just have to remind myself that we’re here to support the education and growth of these children. It’s a noble cause.”

At recess, Jake joined the children on the playground. The boys and girls played together, but it was clear that the girls were more dominant and assertive. Jake watched as they organized games, set rules, and resolved conflicts among themselves. The boys, including his own son Kyle, all instinctively deferred to their much larger female classmates. He supposed that the same had been true when he was their age, but that wasn’t how he remembered it.

Jake held back with the other newbies and watched how the more experienced volunteer assistants engaged with the children. When arguments arose on the playground, they got actively involved with the younger kids. But they were far more cautious when one of the older, bigger girls in the upper grades was involved. Those girls spoke to the volunteer assistants politely, but it was clear that they didn’t view them as their equals.

As recess came to an end, Ms. Marshall approached Jake and the other volunteer assistants. “Great job, everyone, for helping out during recess,” she commended. “Now, it’s time to head back to your assigned classrooms.”

Jake returned to Mrs. Walker’s classroom, and the afternoon passed in a blur of lessons, activities, and helping students. While he still felt out of place, he was too busy to dwell on it. And the children were starting to accept him as a regular presence, even though they still looked to the teachers instead of him when they needed help.

During one particularly challenging moment, Jake tried to redirect a group of children who were getting too noisy, but his efforts were met with giggles and dismissive looks. Mrs. Walker, noticing the disruption, stepped in and effortlessly restored order with a calm but authoritative tone. Afterward, she pulled him aside for a quiet word.

“Jake,” Mrs. Walker said kindly, “I appreciate your enthusiasm and eagerness to assist, but you may find it more effective to observe and learn how Ms. Marshall and I manage the classroom. Remember, this is your first day too, and just as much of a learning experience as it is for the children. We’ll get you more hands on gradually, so that everybody has time to adjust.”

Jake nodded. He felt somewhat deflated but understood her point. “If that’s what you think is best, Mrs. Walker.”

Jake limited his interactions with the children for the remainder of the afternoon, as he honored Mrs. Walker’s request that he focus more on observation than participation. He answered questions when asked, helped with tasks as needed, and tried his best to blend into the background. At the end of the school day, Jake helped the students with their belongings and then watched them shuffle out of the classroom, with only Kelly and Kyle hanging back. Mrs. Walker thanked him for his assistance and reminded him that he would have more opportunities to be actively involved as he gained experience.

As he walked with the twins to Klara’s car, Kelly couldn’t stop talking about her exciting day at school. She chatted animatedly about the new friends she had made, the fun activities they had done, and how much she admired Mrs. Walker and Ms. Marshall. It was clear that Kelly was thriving in this new environment, where she was surrounded by strong female role models. Kyle, although visibly exhausted, seemed content but quieter in comparison.

Once they were all secured in Klara’s car, Kelly repeated her account of her first day to her mother.

“Mommy, you won’t believe what we did in class today!” Kelly exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. “We learned the Pledge of Allegiance, and I made a new friend named Lily. She has the prettiest hair, and we played together during recess.”

“That sounds wonderful, sweetheart,” Klara replied with a warm smile, clearly pleased by Kelly’s enthusiasm. “I’m so glad you had a great first day.”

Jake felt a twinge of guilt as he watched Klara and Kelly bond over their shared excitement about school. He wished he could be as enthusiastic about his own experience, but the reality of being a volunteer assistant was sinking in, and it was far from the career he had envisioned for himself.

As they settled in for dinner that evening, Klara asked Kyle about his first day at school. Unlike Kelly’s animated storytelling, Kyle’s response was more subdued.

“It was okay,” Kyle replied, looking down at his plate. “I played with the building blocks, and my teacher is nice.”

Jake couldn’t help but notice the contrast between his children’s experiences. Kelly was thriving in her new environment, making friends and embracing the structured learning environment, while Kyle seemed to be taking a more reserved approach to his first day.

After dinner, once he’d finished cleaning up the table and washing the dishes, he joined Klara in front of the television.

Once the evening news with Lena Fischer ended, Klara turned to Jake, her expression serious. “Jake, I hope you understand why I made this decision for you. It’s essential for the children’s development and our family as a whole. But it’s also a way for you to show me that you can adapt and excel in a different environment.”

Jake listened to Klara’s words, feeling a mixture of frustration and resignation. He knew that Klara was determined to see him succeed in his role as a volunteer assistant at the twins’ school, but it was challenging for him to accept this significant shift in his life. He had envisioned himself back in the corporate world, tackling challenging projects, and regaining his professional identity. However, Klara’s unwavering confidence in her decision left him with little room for argument.

“I understand, Klara,” Jake replied with a sigh. “I’ll do my best to excel in this role and prove to you that I can adapt to this new environment.”

She ruffled his hair affectionately. “Consider this experience as an opportunity to gain new skills, build connections, and showcase your dedication. If you excel in this role, it will open up doors for you in the future. And when the time is right, I’ll fully support your return to the corporate world. But I’m the one who will decide when the time is right. For now, I need you to focus on this commitment for the sake of our family and the children.”

They watched a rerun of “Mother Knows Best”, and then Jake got up to help Kelly and Kyle brush their teeth. He noticed that Kelly, who had always been more outspoken and assertive, was a little less deferential to him. After they were done in the bathroom, he always read the twins a story. This time, she insisted on choosing the book herself. And when she got into bed, she adjusted her blankets to her liking without letting him help. Jake couldn’t help but feel a pang of discomfort, remembering the struggles he’d had when she was a toddler.

As he left the twins’ room, Jake couldn’t help but wonder if Kelly’s experience at school, surrounded by strong female authority figures, was starting to influence her behavior at home. It was something he would need to keep an eye on and discuss with Klara.

“Something bothering you?” Klara asked, when he rejoined her in the living room.

Jake nodded, deciding to share his observations about Kelly. “Everything is fine, Klara. I just noticed that Kelly was a bit different tonight, a little less deferential. I wonder if it’s because of her experiences at school today.”

Klara smiled knowingly. “It’s entirely possible, Jake. But the assertiveness you’re describing is a sign that Kelly’s growing and thriving, which is exactly what we want for her. It’s important for you to embrace this change, even if it means a slight shift in her tone.”

Jake couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease about the changes he was witnessing in Kelly’s behavior. He hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts, before speaking up. “Klara, I understand that Kelly’s growth and development are crucial, and I want nothing more than for her to thrive. But I also want to make sure we maintain a balance at home. We’ve always worked together as parents, and it’s essential that we continue to do so.”

Klara gave him a patient look, her eyes softening as she reached out to take his hand. “Jake, I appreciate your concern, but we can’t stifle her development because of our own insecurities.”

Jake nodded, acknowledging her point, but he still felt uneasy. “I just don’t want her to lose the respect and discipline we’ve worked so hard to instill in her. It’s important that she understands boundaries and respects authority.”

Klara leaned in closer, her tone gentle yet firm. “Jake, you need to trust me on this. I have full confidence in our daughter’s ability to maintain respect and discipline while also developing her assertiveness and independence. And as for boundaries and respecting authority, that’s precisely what she’s learning at school, under the guidance of experienced teachers and administrators.”

Jake sighed, realizing that Klara had made up her mind and that further argument would likely be futile. He gave her a resigned smile. “Alright, Klara. I trust your judgment. I just need some time to adjust to all of this.”

Klara squeezed his hand reassuringly. “Thank you for understanding, Jake. Oh, and before I forget: I’ll be out of town on a business trip next week. I’ve arranged for your sister to pick you and the twins up from school while I’m gone. Sarah will be staying in the guest room and watching the twins so that you can use the evenings to catch up on housework.”

Jake nodded, trying not to dwell on how he accepted Klara’s latest unilateral decision without protest. “That sounds like a good plan, Klara.”

After the show she was watching ended, Klara turned off the TV, and they made their way to the bedroom. Jake got ready for bed, changing out of his volunteer assistant uniform and into his pajamas. Klara did the same, and they climbed into bed together.

As Klara settled comfortably into her side of the bed, her breathing soon became slow and steady, and Jake knew that she had fallen easily to asleep. However, Jake found himself unable to follow suit. The room was quiet, except for the soft hum of the air conditioning, and the gentle rhythm of Klara’s breathing beside him.

Jake’s thoughts swirled with a sense of unease that had been building throughout the day. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was slowly losing control over his life. Klara’s decision for him to become a full-time volunteer assistant at the twins’ school had upended his plans for returning to his career. He had been eager to reclaim his professional identity, but now he felt like he was adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

As he lay there in the darkness, his mind raced with questions and doubts. How would he cope with the challenges of being a volunteer assistant at a school, surrounded by strong and assertive women? How could he balance his role as a parent with his newfound responsibilities at the school? And what would become of his own aspirations and ambitions?

Jake knew that Klara had made this decision with the best interests of their family in mind, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of powerlessness. He had always been a supportive husband, willing to take on a more submissive role in their relationship, but this felt different. It felt like he was losing a part of himself, and he wasn’t sure how to reconcile that with the expectations placed upon him.

As the minutes turned into hours, Jake continued to stare up at the ceiling, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. He knew that he needed to find a way to adapt to this new chapter in their lives, but he also couldn’t deny the growing sense of foreboding that lingered in the back of his mind.

Eventually, exhaustion overcame him, and he drifted into a fitful sleep, still wrestling with the uncertainty of the future and the weight of the decisions that had been made for him.