Continuing Story Part 23

Dahlia wanted to go home with these people. She loved where she lived and enjoyed her

school. She reached over and gave Ruth a hug and thanked her for finding her and helping her back to safety. Ruth smiled, and said go along now girl, don’t give these nice people anymore scary moments. Ruth went on to say to Rachel and Ralph, that she hoped they could all find solutions to the problems at home. As the three walked out the door and got into their car, Ruth could be seen waving from the door.

There was not much talk inside the car, as it was a short drive to their own front door. When they arrived, all the boarders and Drake came out to greet them. Looks of concern were seen as each one wondered what had happened, but no one asking, accept Drake.

He walked over and helped Dahlia out of the car taking her by the elbow and walking her through the front door of the house. Although there was no real discussion about Drake and Dahlia’s relationship, there was an understanding between the two that something was growing, so Drake felt like he had every right to ask Dahlia what had happened.

He led her to the living room couch, while the others, all went to the kitchen. They sat around the table, each pouring themselves a cup of coffee or tea. Ralph cleared his throat, and began the process of explaining the terrible story, and while he was talking, Drake was also questioning in the other room.

Dahlia didn’t do as well telling the tale of what had happened the night before, but Drake kept nudging. He had to know that she was not trying to run away because of him. She slowly started to speak and by the time the words came out and were comprehended, Drake stood up and flew into the kitchen, and demanded to his parents that something be done about this. This was absurd he yelled. He thought that Drew had been cured, how could this have happened after all this time, and to Dahlia, the one he loved and planned to marry.

The whole room got silent as he spat out those last words. Love, marry, was this the plan? Is this the thoughts that were going through his mind about the young lady in the living room?  His father told him to try to calm down. They would take care of this, and they had already promised Dahlia that they would return Drew back to the doctor, and that they were also going to take Dahlia to a doctor as well, to make sure she had not been harmed physically.

Drake left the kitchen and went straight to Drew’s room, and when he knocked on the door, no one answered. He thrust open the door but the room was empty.  He slammed the door shut and went back into the kitchen and asked his parents where Drew was. All they knew was that he had been here when they had received the phone call.

Drake went back to where he had left his beautiful lady sitting, and told her that everything was going to be alright. He would make sure himself, that this would never happen again. Dahlia swore that she did nothing to provoke this and she was caught off guard. Drake took her in his arms and held her close, stroking her hair and vowed his love to her. He told her that he knew that she was innocent, and he spoke sweet, soft love words to her, letting her know with no doubts remaining, that he loved her. She looked in the direction of his face, and whispered to him that she had loved him from the first moment she had heard his deep voice.

He took her in his arms, and wrapping his hands around the frame of her face, poured his feelings into her lips. He stopped long enough to say I love you again, and then went back for another drink of her love.

When he had quenched his thirst, he dropped his hands to his lap, and standing up explained that he had some important errands that had to be tended to. He told her he was sorry that he was leaving so abruptly, but he had no choice. She said she understood, and although another had taken her innocence the day before, she felt safe and secure from the touch of his body next to hers, and the words he had said to her went straight to her heart. She was glad that Ruth had found her and helped her find her way back to her home.

Drake got in his car, to start the hunt of his brother, but as he was backing out of the drive, he caught a glimpse of Drew in the back yard, sitting on the swing. Drake put the car back in its spot, and got out and quickly made his way to where Drew was sitting.

With no words to be spoken, Drake picked Drew up by the back of his shirt,and before Drew could even think about escaping, Drake punched him in the face. The punch was so firm that it threw Drew backwards and he fell to the ground. Drew stood up and felt his lip with his fingers, and looking at his fingers he saw blood stains.

Drake said I don’t know what has happened to you. You were supposed to be cured, and now you go and take advantage of my girl. Drew gave him a smirk and asked, your girl? Yes, my girl. we both love each other and I intend to make her my wife when the school year is over. You keep your hands and mind off of her, do you hear? If this ever happens again, I will not be so gentle next time, I will kill you with my bare hands, so stay away from her and get yourself some help. I love you as my brother, but you have crossed the line. Get some help or I will denounce you as my family!

Drew sat there looking at him, and didn’t blame Drake at all for the way he felt. Hell, he didn’t even know why he had done this terrible thing to Dahlia either. He thought back to that night, and the only thing he found thrilling about it was the fear in her eyes. Other than that, he could have walked away.

Drake didn’t get in his car but instead took off on foot down the road, needing time to think, to sort out what he had learned in the past hour. There was a part of him that felt sadness for Drew, because he knew this was not the brother that he loved, but he also had to do what he could to make sure Drew stayed away from his girl, and that he would cause no harm to any other females.

He thought about the words that he had confessed to Dahlia, and how she had admitted that she felt the same way. Suddenly his mind turned from the tragedy and went instead to the love that he felt, and how he would protect her to the end of his days. He found himself walking right into town, where he stopped at jewelry store and picked out a beautiful gold bracelet. It was very thin and delicate, gold running full circle. He then went to the florist shop and picked out one white rose.

When he got home, Dahlia was no longer in the living room, so he went to her bedroom door and knocked on it letting her know it was him at the door.

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• Continuing Story Part 18 (terry1954.wordpress.com)

Continuing Story Part 20

The dance ended and Dahlia quickly walked away. She went over and stood among the ladies from the boarding house. Her face was flushed and Sue walked over and asked her if everything was alright. Dahlia said yes, that she was just feeling a little warm. The two ladies decided to get a breath of fresh air, so they left the building and went outside and took a walk around the property. They found a bench to sit on and both sat down.

Sue asked Dahlia how things were going between her and Drake and she responded back with her secret of the stolen kiss. Sue admitted that she had found a nice man also. He was in several of her classes. They exchanged glances and even held hands once while walking to a new class, but there was no kisses as of yet.

Dahlia wanted to tell her friend about how Drew had come into her room, but decided against it, as she didn’t want to cause any drama, as she knew he would never enter her room again. The two spent time talking about classes and each talked about the dance classes. Both ladies were in different classes so they found themselves comparing notes.

After some time, Sue said that they better get back in, but Dahlia was in no hurry to have to face Drew again, so she told Sue to go ahead, that she would be there momentarily. Sue brushed Dahlia’s cheek with a quick peck and gave her a hug, and told her to hurry back in.

Sue left, leaving Dahlia to sit on the bench alone. She listened to the music coming from within the building and let her mind drift from that to Drake. She touched her lips where he had taken her first kiss and found herself smiling. She didn’t hear the footsteps coming up from behind her, nor was she prepared for the quick hand that covered her mouth.

She tried to shout, but nothing came out. She wiggled herself around and as her senses kicked in she knew that it was no other than  Drew. Fear instantly over took her body, she began to shake and her eyes began to water. He pulled her up from the bench and with one hand over her mouth still, the other hand grabbed her around the waist, and he forced her to walk with him several feet from where she had been sitting.

She could say nothing but used her body as a weapon and tried to bite him on the hand and kick him with her feet, but he was too strong for her. He found a grassy spot and he forced her down to the ground, and with one hand he was raising her dress, and lowering her panties. There on the ground he forced his way into her. Tears were streaming down her face. Her fight was gone, and he had his way with her.

When he was finished he stood up, and zipping his pants and buckling his buckle, he explained how he had no choice but to finish what he so desired. When she had let him into her room, and he saw the curvature of her opened dress from the back, he had to know what else she had hiding under those clothes. He warned her not to say a word of this to anyone, or else she would be the one finding a new home to live in, as she was the temporary guest, not he.

As quickly as he had come to her, he was gone, leaving her body lying there. Coldness took over and her body started to quiver and to shake. Tears rolled down her face once again. She felt so ashamed. What had she done to lead him to the point that he had taken her as he did. Her mind took no time to digest the actions. She felt ashamed and dirty. She stood up and with no excuses made to anyone, she walked back to her home, where she had spent many good times. She bumped into a tree and almost fell in a dip in the path, as she didn’t have her cane with her. She had left it at home, letting the group lead her to the dance, but she knew the direction, and soon she found herself turning the knob on the door, and made her way to her room.

Panic took over and she knew not where she was going, but she did know she had to leave here at once. She felt in the bottom of the closet until her hands touched the bag she had used when she arrived here. She threw all of her clothes in to it and walked to the bathroom and gathered her supplies and her basket. Placing everything she could think of in the bag, her heart was breaking, for she knew that she would never enter these floors again.

She took her bag and exited the front door, her mind was so boggled with all that had happened tonight, that she didn’t even take time to figure out which direction she was going. Her cane led her down the road and she just kept walking.

Night time air was taking over and she felt herself shivering some. She had left her sweater behind, she stopped, considering whether to try to risk going back after it, and shaking her head no, decided she was not going to accidentally run into anyone, so she continued to walk.

She didn’t know how far she had walked. All was quiet on the roads. It was late, this she knew. No sounds of anything but the familiar sounds she heard as she would sometimes listen  from her bedroom window in the evenings. She was getting tired and her body ached. She made her way off of the road, and her cane tapped on a tree, and she decided to stop here for a moment, just to rest and try to collect her thoughts.

She sat down and opened her bag and found a long sleeve blouse, and she slipped that over her. She didn’t care at this moment how she looked, she was more interested in warmth. She rested her head against the tree, and sobs started vomiting from within her. She let them take over and her body shook from fear and the chill of the air.
Where was she going, what had she done, leaving the house, with no direction in mind, but she knew that she could not stay there, with what had happened earlier tonight.

Her mind went through the actions of Drew, and she became so angry at her own self. How did she allow this to happen? Why didn’t she fight him harder. Had she secretly wanted this to happen? Had that day that he walked into her room, somehow brought  forth a desire, and without realizing it had given him signals of her own heart?

She came back to reality and out loud screamed NO! She had done nothing! He had taken her for his own without permission, and he had no right to do this, but how could she turn back and go home. If she went home she would have to explain, her shame would come forth, and she did not want Drake to know what his brother had done to her. What would that do the two of them, their relationship as brothers. What would it do to the nice family that lived within those walls? Her mind was exhausted, and her body lay limp against the tree. Lying her head against her bag, and pulling her dress up closer around her neck, she could make no decisions and soon drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the monsters arms around her.

Continuing Story Part 18

Dahlia continued to work  hard with her studies. She exercised regularly, and when she

had the chances, she worked on her dancing in the dance studio. She and her dance teacher, Miss Trump, worked together, perfecting each exercise. Miss Trump, knew that Dahlia wanted to become a dance instructor, so she was often harder on Dahlia, demanding perfection. She had one year to study and then if she did well, she could go to an area and teach dance herself. Dahlia was taught the moves of the Pirouette, and the Arabesque, the Rond de Jambe, and the Eleve. She also learned the Grand Plie, the Demi Plie, and many different steps.

The teacher took notice of the strong form and the slender legs that were shaped with muscles. The standing on the toes was becoming quite nicely done. She was pleased with her student. She knew that there was a class waiting for her at the end of her hard work.

Miss Trump cracked the stick against the bar, and in a firm voice, said no, not that way, the word, what does it mean, what did your book teach you? Remember the book!, now focus the correct way. Slowly Dahlia would place her feet in the correct position and the teacher would announce, very good, keep practicing, you have far ways to go!

At the end of the next two weeks, was a recital, for all parents and friends to come see the progression of the students. While Dahlia went to school, back at home Rachel was working on a costume for Dahlia. Frills and sequins was what this costume was all about. Dahlia was the lead dancer in the ballet coming up for recital.

Three times a week Dahlia met Drake after school, and helped him by grading papers. When this ended, they found themselves staying later to talk, and sometimes they stopped by the soda fountain on the way home for a quick soda.

Love was in the air. The air brought with it the senses of rose buds opening up on the dewy bushes in the early spring. Flowers of lavender could be smelled when you looked and admired the two together. Sometimes at the dinner table, conversation would all stop, when a question was giving to Drake or Dahlia about how they were enjoying this school year. Everyone waited for a hint in the words of the feelings that were growing between the two, but never a word was spoken out loud.

It was Saturday, and Dahlia had some free time, and so she was going out back in the yard to practice on her home-made bar, when Rachel came to the back door and called her to come in. She had something for her, that had come in the mail.

Dahlia, using her cane, made her way up the path to the back door, and entered in and sitting down on the kitchen chair, she opened her hand to receive what Rachel was handing her. It felt like a letter, but it was written in non-braille, so Dahlia handing it back, asked Rachel to read it to her.

Taking the letter out of the envelope, Rachel,  paused, as she read ahead what the letter was saying. Rachel looked at Dahlia and said it was from her mother. The room became silent for a moment, as Dahlia had not heard from her parents since she had left home. She didn’t even realize that they knew where she lived. She asked Rachel to go on, and read what it said.

The letter stated that her father was ill, and it was too much for her to handle alone, and she needed Dahlia to come home and to help take care of him. There was nothing in the letter asking how Dahlia was, no signs of missing her or loving her, just wanting her help, needing her, just like before.

Dahlia stood up to walk away, but Rachel noticed tears running down the young girls face. She asked her not to go, to please sit back down, and the two of them would discuss this. Dahlia sat back down as asked, and immediately cried out, do I have to go back? I don’t want to go home. They never wanted me, they want me to do as they always did, be there for them, not caring about me.

Rachel, said, of course you do not have to go home. You live here now, and you are enrolled in school here, your studies are progressing nicely, and we have come to look at you as part of this family.

Dahlia stood up and buried her head into Rachel’s chest, crying softly, more for happiness than sadness that she did not have to return home. She never wanted to return to that place, until she had something to show them. She wanted to prove to them, that she could make something out of her life. Dahlia took the letter and shred it to pieces, and looked in Rachel’s direction and said softly, I know he is my father, but this is all I know. He has never given me a chance to know who he the person is. Mother will just have to do her best, after all, it is her husband, and with this, Dahlia went back to the yard to work on her bar. The subject was closed as far as the two ladies were concerned, at least for now.

Drew, and Drake, and all of the ladies were in the living room, waiting for the kitchen to empty of people, so they could go put together the menu they had made yesterday. Tonight, there was a church picnic, and everyone that went to this church, was invited. There was going to be plenty of food. Each family was to bring several dishes. There would be live music, by some local performers and there was even going to be a dance.

When Rachel came into the living room, she clapped her hands together, and with a big smile, she said, alright everyone, let’s get this menu started. Everyone pitched in with voices of cheers and they all marched to the kitchen to start the project.

Dahlia heard noises in the kitchen and stopped practicing and went to the back door and entered. She had been thinking about so much lately, that she had entirely forgotten about the picnic. She asked what she could do to help, and Drake announced to her that she could help him get the deviled eggs sliced and filled. Dahlia went straight to him and was by his side, and the others giggled. Drake with a big grin on his face, said what is all the giggles about, then all started laughing. Dahlia loved living here, she loved everyone, her school, and she knew she was also beginning to love Drake.

Continuing Story Part 16

As Dahlia realized her time was gone, she stopped her practicing, and as she turned to

leave the kitchen, she heard clapping of hands. She asked who was there, and the deep voice of Drake answered to , it is I, and I think you are doing wonderful with your dance.

Her face turned several shades of red, and she muttered a thank you so low, he had to lean in to hear the words. Drake asked her if she had a moment to speak to him about something that he needed help with. Dahlia said that it was getting late, and she needed to get to bed, but he insisted that it would only take a moment.

She agreed and they both sat down. He explained how this year, he had a bigger class room than last year, and he could really use an assistant to help him grade papers. Dahlia looked towards the voice that was speaking, and she reached out her hand, until she felt his warm arm, and began to rest it upon it, to explain that she didn’t feel like she was qualified in this area, as history was not a major for her.

When Drake felt her soft fingers resting on his arm,  he placed his other hand over hers, and said it was not hard at all. That there was a sheet that the answers were on, and if she followed that, she would be able to help. He didn’t take his hand off of hers immediately, and Dahlia could not force herself to take hers away either. For what seemed minutes, but was only seconds, their hands remain connected, making the kitchen feel quite warm.

It was like someone was calling their names, and they both realized that they were still holding each other, and both jerked their hands away, and they stood up to leave the room. As Dahlia was getting ready to go back to her room, she told Drake she would be glad to help him as his assistant, if he truly felt she could be of help.

Her insides felt like fire and she turned to go,  leaving Drake to stand there alone. She was getting ready to go through the door way, and wasn’t concentrating on her placement of where she was, and she ran straight in to the door frame, knocking her backwards. She fell to the floor, but on the way down she hit the back of a metal chair that was sitting near by, and she cracked her forehead.

Her body slammed to the floor and blood started seeping from her head. Drake rushed over to her and asked her if she was alright, but he did not get any answer. He went to the bathroom and yanked a wash cloth from the shelf and wet it with cold water. He went back to Dahlia who was still lying motionless, and he began to dab at the warm blood, that was beginning to find its way into her hair and onto the floor.

Drake kept talking to her and he shook her head body  trying to get a response from her. Dahlia could feel herself being shaken, and she was beginning to come around, but before her eyes fluttered open, Drake drank in her plump lips with a soft quick kiss, and said to her motionless body, please be alright my dear Dahlia. Please let there be nothing wrong.

Dahlia lied there ever so quietly, leaving her eyes to be closed for a few moments longer. Not wanting him to know that she had been a silent witness to the kiss. Soon, she started to open her eyes, and Drake stood back, and looked at her. She started to get up, and Drake put his strong arms around her shoulders and helped her to sit up straight. He asked her if she was dizzy, and she sat for a second, and stated that she didn’t think so. He asked her if she thought she could stand, and she shook her head yes, so he tucked his arms around her waist and helped her stand, using his fingers to balance her.

Drake walked her to  his parents bedroom and knocked on the door. When the come in was announced, Drake turned the door handle and walked the two into the room and explained what had happened in the kitchen.

Rachel got up and went over and looked at Dahlia’s eyes and head. She didn’t see any swelling and her eyes looked normal. She did make a comment to Ralph to go get the first aid kit. There should be a salve and a band-aid placed on the cut. Ralph went and got the kit and came back. Rachel washed the cut off with soap and water, and put the salve and the band-aid on, and then asked Drake if he could take Dahlia out to the porch swing and sit with her for a half an hour. She explained that a cut to the head could cause swelling and she didn’t want Dahlia to lie down yet and sleep.

Drake didn’t hesitate and he guided Dahlia to the front porch, where they both sat on the swing. It was late, and all that could be heard was the nocturnal animals in the background, and sometimes a cricket could be heard. The loudest noise of all though, that both of them were very alert to was the silence that rang through out the land. They could both hear each others breathing, it was so quiet.

Drake started to move the swing with his feet and soon they were both moving with rhythm  to and fro and he asked her how she was feeling. She touched her hand to the place where the injury was, and she said that she thought she was going to be alright.

Soon conversation was moving along, like a slow train, coming in to town. He asked her about her past, she answered, and then she would question him. Conversation came very easily, once the shyness left the swing. Before both knew it, time had gone from a half hour into two hours. They each heard the others softness in voice, and she asked if it was alright if she went into bed now. She had a big day of school tomorrow and she was already going to be tired when she got up. He stood up and helped her up, and they both went into the house.

Continuing Story Part 7

Continuing Story Part 7.

Picture And Write It, Part 5

Dahlia and the teacher didn’t do too much over the next couple of days. They spent a lot of time talking and getting to know each other better. Photos were shared between the two of each others families and past childhoods. Sunday, the two ladies went to church, and their was a church picnic following the service, which both attended. This was a great opportunity for Dahlia to get to meet more people in town.

Monday arrived, and Dahlia woke up extra early. She had not slept that well, from excitement, and was found dressed and in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the two of them. She had scrambled some eggs, and fried some sliced potatoes, and had made a batch of biscuits. When the teacher walked through the kitchen area, coffee was lingering in the air.

They both sat, and the teacher asked her if she wanted her to accompany her for her first day, and Dahlia replied no, with some laughter added. I am not a child, you do not have to take me to school, but thank-you. They both laughed over this. The teacher was just as excited for Dahlia as she was herself. After the table and dishes were cleaned, Dahlia gathered her books, said a quick good-bye, and headed out the door to her first day of her future.

There was much chatter in the commons as people were finishing up last-minute details in the office, and others were telling new-found friends good-bye, and they would catch up with each other at lunch, and others were seen bustling to classes. Excitement filled the air for everyone. Dahlia found her class with no problem, and sat herself in the first row, straight in front of the teacher’s desk. She didn’t want to miss any words that were spoken. Different students waved a hello to her as they recognized her from orientation day, and Dahlia waved and smiled back at them.

The teacher walked in and closed the door behind her. She introduced herself to all the students, and pulled out the book that they would be studying. Dahlia pulled her book also, plus a notebook and her pen and pencil. The class was started and finished before Dahlia knew it. Her morning proceeded the same way with each class, and when lunch time arrived, she and some of the other students that were sitting at her table, all talked about the teachers and how good they were, and what they were going to learn.

After lunch, Dahlia found herself in the big gymnasium. This is where a lot of hands on training was going to be taking place. On all four walls, there was no difference. Big, wide mirrors, clung to the walls, and long bars were attached underneath the  mirrors.

Here Dahlia would work and exercise her body. She would learn many steps and she would be returning to this room many times to practice over and over. Before, she knew it, homework was in her bag and she was on her way home. The day had flown by, and Dahlia knew in her heart, that she was going to love going to this school. It had so much to offer and there were so many things to learn.

When she arrived home, the house was quiet. She had her own key, so she let herself in, and fell into the lap of the couch, threw her shoes off, and sat back and rested. The excitement of the day, had caused her to be sleepy, and before she realized it, her eyes drifted slowly shut, and she was found napping when the teacher came through the door. The teacher walked past her softly, as she didn’t want to awaken her. She knew that Dahlia had went through a big day and must be exhausted.

The smell of pork chops drifted through Dahlia’s senses and she woke up and yawned, and stood  up stretched, and made her way into the kitchen to help with supper. The talk between them was mainly about her first day at school, and the teacher smiled as she saw the glow come from her eyes as she talked.

Dahlia got the hand masher and mashed the potatoes, and the teacher placed the meat and boiled corn on each of their plates. After holding hands and saying grace, they both ate with little words being exchanged. After dinner was finished, once again, the dishes were done, and the table was cleared. Dahlia went to her bag and got out her books and homework, and made herself comfortable at the kitchen table to start her homework.

She had been steadily studying, when her head began to ache a little. She stopped reading and rubbed the top of her head and rubbed her neck also. She got up from the table and went over and got a cool drink of water, and then returned to her studies. As she was reading, the words became blurry. She thought to herself, that this must be straining her eyes, and laid the books to the side, decided to take a small break.

She found the teacher outdoors on the porch swing. A basket of fresh flowers was sitting at her feet. Her hands had shades of dark on them from where she had been weeding her flower beds. She patted the seat next to her, motioning for Dahlia to sit down. They sat in silence and swung, taking in the chipper from the birds, and watching the cumulus clouds drift by.

Dahlia broke the silence by telling the teacher of her blurring vision, and the teacher explained what strain could be placed on the eyes from constant studying with no break.

The sun had started to set, and both ladies stood up from the swing, and walked back into the house, the teacher walked towards her own bedroom, and Dahlia walked back to the kitchen, and sat down to take up with her studies once again.

Picture and Write It Part 3

Dahlia put all day dreams aside and buried her head in to her studies. Every free moment from chores at home or not in school, she studied. She even gave up her time with the television viewing.

Her teacher was so impressed with her, that she helped Dahlia fill out forms to enter the college for arts, in the city next door. The teacher came to Dahlia’s home one evening, and was invited to supper. As they sat around the table, the teacher gave the good news of acceptance into the college. A squeal of delight came out of Dahlia’s throat, but her parents were not all that impressed with this news. Who was going to help around the house? Who was going to prepare the meals?  The four of them sat in discussion, each giving their own points of view on the topic, but in the end the parents could see only their own. Dahlia walked the teacher to the door to bid her goodbye, and as she lay her hand on the door knob, the teacher leaned in and whispered in her ear, that together, they would make this work. She explained to Dahlia, that a talent was here, and it should not be wasted.

It seemed from that night forward, there were more chores put on her list. More time-consuming, making Dahlia almost too tired to even dream, but she didn’t give up. She was bound to make her journey in life worth living. She dealt with all the extras in her life, and still managed to keep her grades up. Her parents saw her determination, but theirs was also a match to be contended with.

Dahlia was in her last year of high school, and was still setting her goals. She wanted to be a dancer, and nothing was going to stop her. Although, her parents saw this desire in her actions and eyes, they were unwilling to give up their daughter-maid.

Two weeks before graduation, college doors were waiting to be opened for her future. Her tuition had been paid for the first year. She had two things stopping her, one was transportation and the other was her parents blessings for a better life.

The teacher without invitation paid a visit to the family home and one more time tried to convince the parents to look at their child as an adult, to see the potential, but there was no movement. After taking a deep sigh, the teacher announces that Dahlia will come live with her through her college days, and she will be able to walk to school or ride a spare bicycle. The parents stood up and left the table, and retired to the living room, and turned on the television to watch their variety show. The teacher looked Dahlia straight in the eye, and told her, that in the end it was her decision. She could stay home and humor her parents or she could grab hold of the opportunity given to her and run with it. They both sat up, and walked together into Dahlia’s bedroom. Whatever they could grab and pack and carry in one trip,they did. With all packed and sitting at the front door, Dahlia walked into the living room, and told her parents she had decided to go. She explained for the last time her desire to be a dancer. With no expressions or words being muttered, she walked to each parent and gave each a peck on the cheek, and told them both, that she loved them,and she was sorry she was hurting them, but she must go, and she did. She turned around, without looking back, and the teacher and Dahlia walked out the door with her bags and it was a long time before she ever stepped through that door once again.

By the time they made it to the teacher’s home, it was getting dark, and both ladies were tired from the whole day, but yet when they looked into each others eyes, there was a twinkle of excitement. A new beginning, a new adventure was about to begin in a few days. With smiles on both faces, the teacher showed her to her bedroom, that would be hers for the next year.

After leaving her to herself, Dahlia looked the room over. She ran her fingers over the table tops and could almost see herself in the shine that reflected back to her. She felt the crisp, line-dried sheets on the bed. The bathroom she would share with the teacher was right across the hall, and the teacher’s bedroom was one room down from the bathroom.
The bedroom walls were a creamy yellow, and their were white flowing curtains framing the windows, with white blinds that could be pulled for privacy. Dahlia walked over to the windows, and pulled the blinds down, blacking out the unknown and thoughts of her parents. She walked over to her bags, and began to unpack the clothing and accessories she would need for tonight, and proceeded to get ready for bed. In no time, at all, she was fast asleep, dreaming about the doll, with stiff body, who had been twirled round and round.

The next morning brought a knock on the door, letting her know that the teacher was up. After admitting her into her room, the teacher walked over to the window, and rising the blind, let in all the bright sunshine, and a lift of the window pane, allowed birds to be heard. It was a beautiful day. The teacher told her to get dressed quickly and come to the kitchen, where she would be preparing their breakfast for them. Dahlia nodded and got up off of the bed, and unpacked the rest of her clothing,  hanging some of the pieces in the closet, and placing others into the drawers of the dresser. She got dressed and went across the hall to the bathroom, and splashed cool water over her face, and brushed her teeth and her hair. She gazed at herself and was proud of all she had accomplished so far in her life. She thought of her parents in the city next door, and felt a sadness for the lack of their emotional support, but had to let it go, and turned around walking out of the bathroom, made her way to the kitchen.