Continuing Story Part 13

The other students all started talking at once to Dahlia. They asked many questions, where did she come from, how long had she been blind, and what had happened to cause it. Did she have brothers and sisters. All of these questions drew Dahlia in quickly and before long the kitchen was full of chatter and laughter.

They showed Dahlia where the plates and glass and silver ware was, and walked her around the kitchen having her feel each chair, and then said that for tonight, this was her job in helping. When she was done with that, she could fill the bowls with the lettuce and tomatoes that would be their salad.

As Dahlia fumbled doing her job, she was intently listening to the talk about school. One of the girls was talking about the mean old teacher in history, another one was speaking of the nice boy in her math class. Others were speaking of the dance steps they were being taught and how hard it was to balance and step at the same time.

Dahlia asked about the two sons that lived here and what did they teach at school. Susan, one of the students took Dahlia aside and said to her, that each of them taught at the school. One was an English teacher, and that was Drake, and Drew was a Spanish teacher. She told her about how dreamy the voice of Drake was, and that when she listened to him speak, she just wanted to drool. Dahlia laughed at this, never having felt that any man could make a woman drool.

Soon Ralph walked in the door, and he and Rachel both made their appearance in the kitchen by saying hello to everyone, and Rachael asked if there was anything left over that she could help with. The girls piped up that no, all was done and supper was ready.

They all found their places at the table and each holding each others hands, they all said grace together, and then each person said aloud what they had been thankful for that day.

Susan sat next to Dahlia, and Drake sat on the other side of her. The conversation was nice and friendly. The dinner was delicious. When supper was finished, Drake tapped her on her arm and asked if he could carry her dishes over to the sink, as she was new here and probably didn’t know her way around to everything yet. Dahlia found her face warming, as she did notice that his voice did sound dreamy. She nodded yes, and he stood up and pulling her chair out to let her leave the table, he took hers and his own dishes over to the sink.

After everyone had done their part, the kitchen was clean, dishes done, chairs pushed in, and floor swept. They all retired to the porch and sat in the swings or on the steps of the porch.

Ralph had brought out a guitar and started strumming softly some church sounds. Dahlia recognized them from the church she had attended with the teacher. Soon a beautiful voice could be heard singing, and Dahlia recognized it as Rachel’s. Wow, she thought to herself, she has so much talent. Before long, Ralph and some of the other students had started to join in , and in only seconds, they were all singing together hymns. It was beautiful, and Dahlia felt so much a part of this family in only one day. She was glad she had decided to come here to live.

The music went on and could be heard crystal clear flowing to the trees  and bouncing off buildings. Even the family dog and two cats came and sat by them, wishing to be petted and Dahlia’s heart swelled at the love this family had here at the boarding house.

A couple of hours of singing went by and then Ralph said it was starting to get dark, so everyone stood up and made it back into the house. They each said their good nights and all went to their bedrooms, to spend time with their thoughts or studies or just to relax and get ready for bed.

Dahlia knocked on the bathroom door, and found no one answering, so she pushed the door open, and felt her way to the shower and felt the raised letters of H and C. She turned the shower on and adjusted it and went back to her room and got the basket that was full of her bathing supplies. She took her house robe with her and once in the shower, she let warm water run over her, relaxing her even more. The teacher had gifted her some boxed soaps that smelled like lilac and Dahlia felt like she was in  heaven as she bathed in the scent.

Once she was satisfied she was squeaky clean, she dried off and slipped her house robe on, gathered her basket, and opened the door, only to walk straight into Drake. He had been passing by, going to the kitchen, to do some grading of papers from a quick quiz he had given  his students today. This was his way of finding out which areas any students needed extra help and time with.

He said excuse me, I am so sorry, and she knew then who she had bumped into. Her face reddened and he took notice, and asked her if she was alright. She nodded yes, and she hurried to her room  sat down on her bed, using her towel to dry her hair better. As she dried her hair her thoughts drifted to the smooth talking voice.

She took her robe off and placed her night-gown over her head, and then placed  the clothes she would wear tomorrow to school. She pulled her bed covers back and fluffed her pillow and then sat down and brush stroked her hair until it was completely dry.

Breakfast call was at six a.m. and it was time to get her rest. She laid down on her bed, but her mind would not rest. It was going over the new day of school and the voice of the man, named Drake.

Continuing Story Part 8

The next Dahlia woke up to darkness. She sat there blinking her eyes, but no shadow came into play. She tried crawling out of bed to get her robe on and tripped over her slippers. This caused a loud noise, which brought the teacher directly from her bed to Dahlia’s bedroom.

The teacher knelt over and helped pick her up and sat her down on the bed and checked her out for any cuts or blood. After seeing nothing, the teacher asked  what had happened, had she fallen, and Dahlia burst into tears, saying she could not see.

The teacher laid her down in her bed, and told her she would be back, that she  was going to go call the doctor, and told her to please lie still and try not to get out of bed. The teacher could be heard going through the house, sounding like fast running horses.

In mid morning, the doctor came over with his special tools and checked Dahlia’s eyes out, and found that a few of her blood vessels had broken in both eyes, and there was no way to fix this. She was blind. Dahlia broke out in wails and the teacher came to her side and put her arm around her and tried to comfort her, but it did not work. She told Dahlia that she was going to walk the doctor to the door, and that she would be back in a few minutes.

On the way to the door to let him out, she asked him if there was something that could be done and he shook his head no. There was no fixing the already damaged vessels. She thanked him for coming and he told her if they needed him, just to let him know.

Teacher walked back to the bedroom where Dahlia was still sobbing and sat down in the rocker across from the bed in silence. All that could be heard in the room was gasping and cries. The teacher felt helpless and didn’t know what to say or do, but she knew that they had to move forth in their lives.

She stood up and told Dahlia that she was going to go prepare them some breakfast, and they would talk when she got back to the room. Dahlia told her she didn’t want any breakfast and that she wanted to be left alone.

The teacher walked out of the room, ignoring the request, and went to the kitchen and started breakfast. Two hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, toast with jelly and hot tea. She brought the tray back to Dahlia’s room and rested it on her dresser. Dahlia did not move towards her, in fact, she rolled over the other direction and pulled the covers up over her head.

The teacher said that they must eat, that they neither would be able to think clearly about what to do with this new information if they didn’t have nourishment. She took the blankets back and helped her sit up in her bed, and then brought a small table over and placed her breakfast on the table. She took Dahlia’s hands and helped her feel where each food and silver ware was, showed her where the cup was placed. There was no sound, so teacher went back to the rocker and balancing her breakfast on her lap, she began to eat and think about what their next move was.

She had her first bite swallowed and all of a sudden a loud crash was heard, and food was splattered everywhere. On the bed, the floor, and her bed-clothes. Dahlia laid back down and covered herself back up, and said to the teacher, go away, leave me alone.

The teacher continued to eat, ignoring the outburst from Dahlia, and when she finished she took her tray down along with the broken dish pieces, and then brought back a mop and bucket and cleaned up the floor.

She left Dahlia alone, to tend to her grieving and did not offer to help clean her clothing or bed up. In the teacher’s mind this was bad, but she knew of people who had life much worse, and they would work around this. To Dahlia, life was over. Her dreams had vanished along with her sight. Dahlia went deep into herself, never wanting to live again.

The teacher checked in on her periodically to see if she was alright, but for the fact of only getting up to  use the restroom, she never left her bed. Meanwhile, the teacher made a trip to the school and explained the absence of the past day of why Dahlia was not in school.

The school personal called her into a small quiet room and had her wait here. Within a few moments two other personal came in to the room and they all sat at the table. They stated what a fine girl Dahlia was, and that she worked hard and had outstanding grades, but, there was no special equipment here at the school for someone who was blind. They hated to excuse her from this school, they hated seeing her go, but they had no choice. They dropped Dahlia from the classes.

The teacher sat there with tears flowing down her cheeks. Her own visions of this beautiful girl not being able to dance and teach had been broken also. She held out her hand to shake and tell her good-byes. They went to where Dahlia’s books were kept and gathered them up and they all walked to the front door, letting the teacher out and the door closing softly behind them. This was it, it was over. So hard to get into school, and so easy to be let go. How could this happen, and what could be done about it. These were all thoughts that were racing around in her head, on her walk home to a student that refused to get out of bed, thinking that her life was totally over.

English: Line art drawing of a dahlia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Continuing Story Part 7

The next day Dahlia went to school without any problems with her eyes, but when school

was over, she kept her promise to the eye doctor and paid his office a visit. He was expecting her and welcomed her in and offered her a seat. He finished up some paper work he was working on and then placed it in the filing cabinet and shut the drawers.

He motioned for her to come on in to his eye room and here they would take a closer look

at her inner eyes. She got up from her seat and followed him in. After making her comfortable in the vision chair, he explained what he was going to do and ask her if she was alright with this, and she nodded yes.

He walked over and turned the lights on the eye machine then got some plastic coated cards ready in front of him, and then walked over and turned off the over head light. He had her sit upright straight in her chair and fitted the machine up to her eyes. With his tools he looked deep into her eyes, studying the back of the eyeball. He had her do some reading tests and then placed a few drops of liquid in each eye, forcing the eye to open wider in the back of the eyeball, and then took another light and looked deeper in the eye.

After he was finished he turned the lights off to the vision machine, and walked over and flipped the over head light back on. He walked back towards her and she saw that he had a serious look on his face, and his fingers were toying with his moustache.

He explained to her that some of the optical nerves in the back of her eye were becoming weak and breaking off, causing the brain to not recognize what it needs to and she was beginning to go blind.

She sat there expressionless and speechless. There was silence in the room for a few moments as both were taking in their findings. The doctor went on to explain that at this time there just was no cure for this as the scientists have not discovered what causes this to happen in young people. She was going to continue to see less and less until one day she would see nothing at all.

Dahlia began to cry and the doctor walked over to her and placed his arm around her shoulder and tried to say words of comfort for her, but in the end, there was nothing that could ease her fear. She stood up and told him thank you for seeing her, and he patted her on the back, telling her that if there was anything he could do to help, please stop by at any time. His door was always open.

Dahlia walked home at a snail’s pace, chewing the information that had been given to her, and wondering what the teacher would say about this, when she told her. It then became quite clear in her mind that her dancing might be affected. Would she be able to continue her studies, and her dreams of dancing, and becoming a dance teacher? She broke into tears and found herself running as fast as she could until she reached her home, and throwing the door open, she yelled for the teachers name and went to the kitchen and fell into the table chair.

The teacher walked in and took one look at Dahlia’s face and knew something had gone wrong at her eye visit. She made them each a cup of hot tea and then sat down next to Dahlia. Small drips of tears dropped on the table and on her arm, and as she sipped on her tea, her breathing calmed a little. Being here with the teacher brought comfort, and at this time, this is what she was searching for, comfort and answers.

After some time went by, Dahlia explained what she had done at the eye doctors office and the results that he had given her. The teacher sat in silence for a moment, and then cleared her throat and looked straight into Dahlia’s eyes. She laid her hands over hers and told her that this was indeed not the news they both wanted to hear, but together, they would fight this, and they would work with what God had given her.

Dahlia looked at her and asked how could you say this, the doctor says I am going to be blind? The teacher stated that they will live on faith, and pray often, and they would ask God to guide them through this, and they would follow his words and directions.

Dahlia was not sure if this was the answer she wanted to hear or not, but she also knew that her dream to be a teacher was very strong, and she didn’t want to lose it. Together, they both got off of their chairs, and the knelt together, with heads bent, hands wrapped inside of each others, and they prayed. They asked God to heal this girl if it be his will. They asked for guidance, and understanding, and to make them aware of what he wanted them to do. They professed their love for God, and their desires for their lives. They asked to be forgiven for any wrong or selfish thoughts either of them may be thinking, and together they both said Amen.

The two rose and letting go of each other, they headed out the door and walked to the flower garden, and each picked a beautiful flower and then went to the porch swing and swung. The swing brought so much peace to each of them. It was like floating in air casting cares to the winds. There were many evenings spent on this swing, being comforted by God and nature.

They both realized that they had let time slip past their dinner hour, and so they got off the swing and went to the kitchen, but neither was very hungry, so they had a finger sandwich and a cup of broth, and then both went to their rooms for the night, each telling the other, that they were right across the hall if needed.

 

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My Continuing Story Part 6

The days turned into weeks and Dahlia was receiving top grades in school and she had made a couple of friends, but mainly she spent her time in school, or studying or in the gym.

She loved the gym. She spent many Saturdays in here exercising and working on the dance moves she learned through the class. A few of the girls in her other classes seemed to be forming a Saturday group, as they all met up weekly.  After their practices were over, they would all walk over to the little cafe and have lunch together and this was something Dahlia looked forward to. Laughter and talk, was a nice way to get a break from having your nose in the books.

One Saturday, the girls were all found practicing their dance moves, and then a hard thump was heard. They all turned their heads at the same time to see Dahlia laying on the gym floor. They all went to her at the same time, calling her name and patting her face, asking her if she was alright. It took a few moments, but Dahlia slowly did open her eyes. She seemed a little dazed at first, wondering where she was, but soon it went away and she sat up with help of her classmates. The girls asked her what had happened, had she had breakfast, was she feeling over heated, was she feeling ill?

Dahlia explained that she felt alright, but she had felt a bit dizzy and saw the room spinning and could not hold herself up. The friends decided to call it a day on the practice, and skip the lunch. They all walked Dahlia home and told the teacher what had happened.

The teacher sat and listened to what the girls were explaining, and then stood up and felt Dahlia’s forehead, but it was not warm. She looked in to her eyes but saw nothing out of the ordinary. In the end teacher felt Dahlia had just worked too hard and needed to rest.

The girls all wished her to feel better and then left to go on their way. Dahlia went to her room and lay down on her bed to rest, but soon there was a knock on her door, and upon Dahlia’s words of enter, the teacher brought in a cup of soup and some hot tea.

While Dahlia ate her lunch, teacher talked mindlessly about nothing. At the back of her mind though were wandering thoughts about why Dahlia had passed out. She was going to keep a better eye on her, and see if she saw any symptoms.

After her lunch was finished, teacher took the lunch tray and told Dahlia to rest and left, closing the door behind her. Once again, she lay her head on her pillow and was soon asleep. She slept for most of the afternoon, and the sun coming over her window, woke her up. She went in to her bathroom and checked her hair, placing a few hairs back into their proper place. She then walked into the living room, ,where she found the teacher hanging up the telephone.

She turned to Dahlia and explained that she had just said good-bye to the town doctor, and that she had explained what had happened to her at her practice. The doctor had recommended that if this happened again, that she was to go to the office for a check-up.

Dahlia nodded her head but hoped nothing would happen again. Sunday morning found both ladies sitting on the wooden pews at church. They stood to sing hymns, but Dahlia could not see the words too well, they were blurry, and if it weren’t for the fact that she knew them by heart, she would have been found to having no lips moving while the others were singing.

The teacher took notice of this and after church was over, and they were walking home, she stopped Dahlia and took her by the shoulders, turned her so they were face to face. She told her that they needed to visit the doctor tomorrow. Dahlia gently refused, saying she had school, but the teacher refused her plea, and said as soon as the school day was over, they would go then, and Dahlia agreed.

The two didn’t have any church activities that afternoon, so they continued their walk home, and had a light lunch of finger sandwiches, potato salad, hot tea and cookies for dessert. Each of them spent time that day in their own spaces, attending to what ever needed to be done.

There was a knock at the front door late afternoon, and when it was opened, there stood the doctor. He had been over in this area visiting church members and thought he would drop in. He was welcomed in and they all sat in the living room. The three chatted for a while, and then the doctor asked Dahlia if he could give her a quick examination. He explained that if he became aware of anything, that she could come on in tomorrow for a thorough exam.

The teacher excused herself, and the doctor looked at Dahlia’s eyes, and throat. He listened to her heart. He listened to her lungs, and checked her temperature and pulse. He then went back to examine her eyes once again, and used his small, bright light to look deep in her eyes.

After finishing this quick exam, the doctor asked her if she had been feeling any headaches lately, and she admitted she had a couple here and there, and she pointed to where the head hurt, which was on each side of the temples. She went further to explain, that she studies quite a bit, and she just knew that all of her symptoms were caused from an over load on her eyes, causing the strain and pain.

The doctor nodded, listening to what she had to say, but thought best if she came in to his office tomorrow, for a better examination. He said he had a special room set aside for eyes, and that with the use of a dark room and his technical tools, the two could get a better look. Dahlia agreed to go, as soon as school was over.

Picture And Write It, Part 4

Dahlia walked into an airy kitchen. As she entered the door she could smell bacon and she was motioned to sit down at the round table where her breakfast was placed. Two sunny side up eggs, bacon, toast, orange juice and coffee and water. The teacher sat next to her and together, they ate their breakfast. Dahlia was told this was going to be one of the rare times breakfast was prepared for her, that from now on she would become familiar with not only the kitchen, but the rest of the house and make herself one of the occupants, being able to fix her own meals. The two discussed where the art school was from here and that they would take a walk over to it in a bit.

After breakfast was finished, and tidying up the kitchen was over, teacher took her on a tour of the house, showing where everything was, including sheets, towels, and laundry area. After the tour was completed, they got their purses and paper works together and made the short walk over to the school. It was a beautiful day, and Dahlia felt the sun warm her skin and it brought out the excitement of starting a new year in college.

Her eyes became wide open with amazement as Dahlia got a glimpse of the school. It was so big, the biggest school she had ever seen. It was red brick with three stories to it, windows with white panes. Surrounding the brick building, were huge weeping willow trees. They seemed to be saying they were protecting this precious knowledge that was hidden inside these walls. The whole scenario was breath-taking and Dahlia couldn’t wait to walk up the many steps leading into the front door, but she held back, keeping her pace with the teacher. They both walked up the stairs and teacher opened the big double white doors and said to Dahlia, are you ready, and she nodded yes, and in they went.

There were many girls sitting in chairs in the lobby and when you looked to the right, there was a big office with the words admitting office on the top of the door. The receptionist motioned for them both to enter and to have a seat. After hanging up the phone, the question was asked, name, address, year of college. Dahlia handed the lady all of her paper work. Studying it and looking for errors, she announces that she sees no errors and tells her to go out into the commons and sit with the other people.

After about fifteen minutes an unfamiliar face approaches to the group and tells them she will be the one taking them on a tour of the school. They were each introduced to several rooms where teaching would be introduced. There was a very large room, that looked like a gymnasium, another room of average size with many long tables and chairs, and this was where they would eat their meals. Also was a wonderful library, with shelf after shelf of books.

The tour was finished and the students were led back to the commons area. There they were introduced to a table of refreshments. Tea, coffee, and finger sandwiches. As the students made their way through the table, they sat down to eat, and this helped all to relax and there was a time for greeting and meeting. Dahlia was introduced to other students that were going to be sharing the same classes as her. She found a couple of the girls lived very close to her, and they made plans to walk to and from school together. At the end of this gathering, papers were handed to each student, and were gone over together. The papers explained rules of the school. Tardies and dress codes,times the doors of the school opens and closes, how to reach each teacher. After everything was read and the opportunity for questions was over, they were dismissed, and told a big welcome and that they would see each of  them on the following Monday. Everyone got up with their papers and said their good-byes, and within no time at all, the commons was quiet.

When the teacher and Dahlia arrived home, they both sat on the white porch swing and talked about the school and the days to come. Teacher asked her if she would like to see a little bit of the town, so they placed all papers in the house on the table, used the restroom, retouched their hair and off they went.

The town was set inside of itself, all alone, roads surrounding it on all corners, making it a perfect setting. Small stores lined up next to each other, each offering their own individual specialties, and one variety store. There was a court-house that sat in the center of the stores, with a beautiful lawn and lots of flowers. A big flag waved from the top of the dome. On the opposite side of the stores, there was another line that greeted you. These were consisted of book stores, insurance needs, a lawyer’s office and a police station.

After completing the big block walk, they stopped into one of the little cafes, that the teacher frequented quite often. She introduced Dahlia to the owner and then they both made their way to a small booth near a window. There they could both watch people going by, and see small children flying by on their bicycles. There was one elderly couple, holding hands enjoying a leisurely stroll.

Teacher recommended the tuna sandwiches and iced-tea. Dahlia was tired and ready for a rest. Her excitement had held such high levels all day, that she felt a little drained. The waitress brought the sandwiches and teas, and they didn’t talk too much, but enjoyed each tasty bite of their lunch. Upon leaving the cafe, Dahlia started to get her money out to pay for her part, but the teacher held up her hand in a stopping motion, and said, this treat was on her. With a smile and a thank-you, the two made their way out the front door and walked the path that led to their home.

 

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.

Continuation of Picture and Write It July 22, 2012, Part 2

Sophie was standing among other little girls and boys and they were all awaiting for the dance instructor to come in. Parents were fussing with hair and dresses, and shirts, making sure that their child stood out in the crowd and was noticed by the teacher.

The teacher walked in, breezing by the children, paying no notice to any particular child, heading straight to the parents and saying only once, that all parents needed to remove themselves from the floor and take their places in the seats to the back. One by one, each parent left, but not before whispering in their child’s ear, to smile and do their best. In no time at all, the only ones standing were the students and one teacher.

Dahlia looked out over the class and saw some with fingers in their mouths, others acted like they ants in their pants, and couldn’t stand still. Others were seen with tears in their eyes, and one had to use the restroom. She made a sigh and thought to herself what a mess. It was going to take much work to get these children in line.

She cleared her throat, and tapped a wand on the table sitting before her, drawing all eyes upon her. Tears were stopped, and hands were lowered. She asked them to all have a seat on the floor, and the direct order was played out.

Dahlia was an old-time teacher of dance. She had been brought up by two very strict parents. Both of her parents had been in the military, and her home life had been of military style. Rules were made, and not to be broken. If they were, there was a strict punishment to be followed.

Her family moved several times during her life at home, and she never made the attachment of having close friends, like other children did. Dahlia had a bicycle, but was not allowed to ride it anywhere other than the yard. Some days you could almost see the yearning in her eyes, as other children rode by, and she was not allowed to go also.

There was too much to be done to waste time with day dreaming, so playing with dolls was being idle. Dahlia had one doll that she called her own. It was a stiff doll, that would not bend, and refused to be loved and cuddled. It had dark curly hair and blue eyes, and a few freckles on her nose. With stiff posture, Dahlia would imagine the doll dancing and would take her by the head and spin her around and around. She would raise the doll’s arms in the air, to twirl like a ballerina.

Dahlia was allowed play time only when all chores were done. She had to help hang the washing on the line outside of the kitchen window. She helped to wash windows, and scrub the floors. One of her earliest things she was taught, was to cook. She could make biscuits and cook up a fryer chicken. She could even make a great cherry pie, but during these times of training,  her mind would drift to her doll and the ballerina she had created.

When Dahlia was sweeping the floor, she would twirl around the broomstick, using it as a way to balance in order  to try to stand on her toes.  She would try making jumps in the air, mimicking the dancers she watched on her parents black and white television.

Each Saturday night, her parents would tune in one of the three channels they received, and watch a program that was a variety of singers and dancers. If Dahlia had been good that day, she was sometimes allowed to stay up to watch this, as long as she remained quiet and sitting in one spot. She glued her eyes to the dancers and memorized the steps they each took, and envisioned herself doing this also. Her heart would skip beats as she admired the beautiful clothes they wore, and promised herself that one day she would have such beautiful clothes also.

As Dahlia became a teenager, there was more opportunities to read, as the older children were able to enter the school library. She always made sure that she was one of the ones chosen to be able to go browse through the books on library day. She would spend her time gazing at all the titles, and then when it was about time to leave she would  pick out one special book and rent it for the week.

Dahlia did well enough in school, her grades always up to par, but as she matured, she knew with no uncertainty, that she wanted to be a dancer. She made this known to her teacher one day, and the teacher said that if she wanted something bad enough in her life, she should work for it and then obtain it. Dahlia asked the teacher for her help in reaching her goal, and the teacher’s response was positive. She explained to her that the most important thing for the next three years of school was her grades. She explained how any college that taught arts would first look at this.

Dahlia knew she had good grades, but what the teacher impressed on her, was that she needed excellent grades. She was also impressed with the idea of no missing school, adding some subjects to her lessons learned, and to open her mind to the opportunities of the world. Each thing the teacher said, Dahlia’s sponge took in, and she became a determined student.