Continuing Story Part 14

The next morning came, bringing a warmth to Dahlia’s face as she moved near her window.

She laid her hand against the pane and let the heat warm her. Today, was her first day of school.

She carefully got dressed and ran  her hands down her clothes in case there were any wrinkles. She made her bed and fluffed her pillows before lining them up against each other, and then picked up her books and writing supplies and walked out her door closing it behind her. She went into the kitchen, and learned that breakfast was a do it yourself and your way. She felt lost as she didn’t know what was available. Susan came up behind her and told her there were several cereals lined up in a row on the table, and she proceeded to tell her what each box held and that they would always be in the same order each morning, so she could pick the one she wanted. She explained there was milk and juice on the table, so all Dahlia had to do was get her bowl and glass and spoon. Dahlia thanked Susan and went about fixing her breakfast.

There was little chat at the kitchen table, as mornings were too rushed, because every student slept in until the last moment. After cleaning up the kitchen, and putting the drinks back in the refrigerator, Dahlia went to the bathroom and brushed her teeth. She ran her fingers over her face and mouth making sure there were no dribbles left behind. Satisfied that she was ready, she walked to the living room. All the students were there. Each had their white cane with the red stripe around it, and they all left at the same time to go to school.

When they got to school, they took Dahlia to the main office so that she could be checked in informally. After this the girls who had classes with Dahlia or near her took her to her proper classes and introduced her to the teacher.

Dahlia took her place at an empty desk, and heard the teacher call roll call, and each student said here, when their name was called. Dahlia pulled her brand new book out and placed it on her desk. She felt the braille and knew it was for this class called Science.

Drew was the teacher of this class, and  he introduced Dahlia to the rest of the students and then said to them, get your books out. They were in chapter one, and were going over what they had learned yesterday. To Dahlia, this class was not very interesting, but she said nothing and listened. Soon enough the class was over and it was time to change classes.

Each class was pretty much the same and before she knew it the lunch bell rang and students either went outside to eat their packed lunches or they went to the dining hall and ate from the cafeteria. With the guidance of other students, going through the lunch line was  fairly easy. She bumped into one student, and apologizing the other girl shoved her a little back. Quick thinking of the lunch room teacher and Susan, this was stopped before anything could be made out of it.

Susan guided Dahlia to a table, and said there had to be one girl in every class that had to show off, and she had bumped into her. As the two sat and ate, Susan told her about how many students were in the room with them, and described what the room looked like. Before the two knew it, the bell rang once again, announcing their half hour was over. Wow, that time went so quickly. Dahlia wished her science class went so fast.

The first class after lunch, Dahlia made it to an empty seat, which was closer to the front in this class. Chatter could be heard as students poured into the room and began to fill up the seats. All chatter stopped immediately, as she heard footsteps coming near her. It must be the teacher. You could hear a pin drop it was so quiet. She could feel someone standing very near to her, and she wiggled around in her chair a little nervous about the closeness.

Then a voice came through clear and deep. It was Drake’s voice, and this class was history. She had Drake for her history teacher. Suddenly she sat up straighter and straightened her clothes a little and placed a smile on her face.

Drake introduced her to the other students explaining that this was her first day, and that they should all welcome her to the class. They did this by standing and each announcing their names and saying a good morning.

Dahlia didn’t hardly remember any of the names, as the only name on her mind was Drake. He asked them to open their books and turn to page ten. He spoke a little about yesterday’s class and went on to talk about the civil war. He asked questions and then called out names for answers.

When Dahlia’s name was called, she became frozen instantly. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She heard some giggles from behind, and suddenly remembered the answer, and out it came, and Drake stated, correct answer. Nice job Dahlia.

The next two hours were spent in dance class. Dahlia had been looking forward to this class all day, all week, and for years it seemed. When she walked into the room, the air was filled with symphony music. The teacher could be heard telling someone to stand up straighter. When all students were in the room and the big doors were shutting the world out, it was the students, teacher, and the music.

Dahlia had borrowed one of her roommates old ballet slippers for school, and she was to give them back when she was able to purchase herself a new pair. The music flowed through her veins as she practiced over and over the steps the teacher was teaching.

It was hard work, but Dahlia loved it. The bell rang and class was over. Dahlia was exhausted but excited and adrenalin was charging through her blood. Everyone sat and switched their dance shoes back to their street shoes, and slowly all left the room, and all you could hear was the echos of a ballroom.

All the boarding house girls met out front at the bottom of the steps, and together they chatted all the way home about their day at school. Dahlia piped in with chatter also, when she was not thinking about Drake.

Continuing Story Part 12

The teacher and Dahlia arrived at home after leaving the school. Tea was made and as

they sipped it, they talked of the upcoming move and what was going to need to be packed up and moved over to Rachel and Ralph’s home. They had two days to get everything together and be moved, as school started on Monday.

After tea time was over, they both went to Dahlia’s bedroom and they began the journey of going through clothes and seeing what needed to be ironed or rewashed. Before they both knew it, the teacher was looking at clothes instead of a bed.

Dahlia was surprised at how easily she had been convinced to move to these strangers home, but deep inside her, she knew her dream of dancing had never been snuffed out. She let the teacher carry the clothing out to the living room. A pile was made on the sofa and the teacher had Dahlia put some of her personal items that she could live without, in a basket and had her bring them to the living room.

As teacher folded, and straightened clothing, Dahlia asked questions about the new home she was going to live in. The reply was that she was sure this student was going to be comfortable and it was a great opportunity for her education. The other students living there seemed well-mannered, and so she was sure all was going to be alright.

The rest of the day was spent finishing up the packing, getting a neighbor next door to bring the trunk out of the cellar, and getting things packed up and shut tight. The neighbor helped get the full trunk out on the porch, and even offered to give them each a lift to the new home.

Sunday came and by now all was empty out of Dahlia’s bedroom, except the bedding and draperies. It looked so empty to the teacher. She felt a small pinch in her heart as she realized she was letting someone go forth, that had become so important to her, but she could not hold her back for her own selfish reasons of loneliness. The two ladies went arm in arm to church, and both sang with more joy from their souls as they knew that a new adventure was being started for the student.

An announcement had been made that Dahlia would be moving for educational purposes, and after church they were invited to a friend’s home for lunch for a celebration. After this busy weekend, once they returned home from their guest’s home, they both retired to their bedrooms for a nap, that was much-needed.

The morning came and the neighbor was there bright and early. They had not made it to the home with all of her belongings,the day before, and so Dahlia started school one day later. They got everything moved into her new bedroom and the teacher cried as she hugged Dahlia, and told her how she would miss her, and how she would come to visit often, and Dahlia felt her own tears from her eyes. After hugs and goodbyes and well wishes were complete, the driver and the teacher left, and silence fell over the room for a moment.

Rachel walked Dahlia to her room and told her that lunch was at twelve sharp, and she would leave her to unpack and arrange her clothing and accessories. Once alone, Dahlia found her way to the bed and sat down and quietly sobbed, as she realized she was alone without her teacher, and fearful and excited at the same time about her tomorrows.

The house was quiet, as the students and the two sons were at the school, so she put a few items away and found herself wanting to rest her eyes for just a moment, and so she laid down on the bed, and was asleep when the sound of the knocking on the door alerted her to lunch.

She jumped and sat up and then stood and using her cane, she made her way to the kitchen. A cup of soup and an egg sandwich was waiting for her. The two ate together, and while Dahlia ate, Rachel told her more of the family living here and the students.

Dahlia found herself relaxing and soon joined in the conversation, asking questions about her husband, her two sons, what the school looked like. Rachel explained the blind school was the best in the territory. They had a way of bringing out the best in the students, and the dance classes were taught from the most updated books straight from New York.

After lunch Rachel had Dahlia help by showing her around the kitchen, teaching her where the dirty dishes went and where the trash barrel was. When this was completed, Rachel asked her if she would like to walk over to the school with her and they would announce that their new student was here and ready to start in the morning. They both left and soon arrived and walked in the big doors.

They met with the principal and he welcomed Dahlia with a big hand shake and told them that if they were quiet, they could wander the halls and peek in on the classes. Dahlia heard a few teachers. Some were talking of mathematics, others history, and then she heard the familiar sounds of music. They both stood outside the swinging doors and listened to the dance instructor talk about footing and steps that needed to be done better. The music ran through Dahlia’s veins and she became anxious to start the next day.

They left the school and once home, Rachel left Dahlia to herself for the afternoon, announcing to her that at four o’clock, she was to be in the kitchen to help prepare dinner with the other students. She expected Dahlia to have all of her belonging put in their proper place, because the supper and hours afterwards were spent together as family time.

Dahlia agreed and went to work getting her bedroom made to her liking, hanging all clothes and placing other garments on the shelves. She put her toiletries where they belonged and had a little basket that had the routine accessories ready to take to the bathroom each day for her shower.

It was four p.m. and Dahlia found herself standing in the kitchen with the other students and they all said hello to her, and then began to explain what her part of the duties were for tonight’s supper.