standing for the national anthem. Still no Jon. My eyes keep darting to the door, hoping he’s just late. I desperately want a chance to explain what happened last night. To watch his eyes as I tell him, so I can make sure he still likes me. As Gran always says, “The eyes are the windows of the soul.”
Halfway through class, I give up my search and turn to stare out the window. The sky is blue and cloudless and the grass freshly mowed. Wild flowers bloom at the edges of the groomed field. I marvel at how life goes on, how the sun still shines and people smile and laugh, while my heart slowly crumbles.
Class is over and my ears prick up when I hear my name over the PA. “Lola Savullo to the office, please.” Panic swells my throat and an icy-fingered tendril of dread slides slowly down my spine. Being called to the office can only mean bad news.
I make it out of the classroom on rubber legs before the fog rolls in and I begin to fall, seemingly in slow motion, caving in on myself like a tent without poles. Someone’s caught my arm. There’s a call for help, but it sounds so far away.
When I open my eyes, there’s a crowd. I’m lying on my back on the cold, hard floor of the corridor. Someone’s book bag is tucked under my head: a makeshift pillow.
Mrs. Wright kneels by my side, and gently slaps my face while calling my name.
“ I fainted,” I say, more of a declaration than a question.
“ Yes,” she replies. Concern looms in her expression.
With noodle arms I try to push myself up off the floor.
“ Whoa, let’s wait for Mrs. Dalhiwal.” She places a gentle hand on my shoulder in an effort to keep me in place until the school nurse arrives.
“ Okay, everyone, she’s all right,” Mrs. Wright announces to my audience. “You can all go to class now.”
The crowd slowly disperses. There are whispers and lingering glances.
A deep, rolling groan escapes me when I see my father running toward us. I’m vaguely aware of the accented voice of the school nurse, asking me how I feel. I push her away and stagger to my feet. She huffs her displeasure. “Please, young lady. Let me check if you are all right. Do not be moving around yet.”
I move past her and into Dad’s arms.
“ Did she…?” I whisper.
“ Yes,” he replies.
Chapter Twenty
“ We have to go to the hospital. Mom and Eva are already there,” Dad whispers into my hair.
Mrs. Dalhiwal and Mrs. Wright linger for a while, but soon walk away, leaving me and Dad in privacy.
The bell for second period rings and the halls are now finally empty.
“ No. I can’t.”
Dad holds me at arm’s length. “Lola, don’t you want to say good-bye before they take her to...”
I hold out a hand and turn away. “No, don’t say it.” I can’t let my mind wander to the funeral home and what they’ll do to my poor Gran. “There’s no one to say good-bye to now, Dad. Grandma Rose is gone.” My composure surprises me.
“ But your mother will want you with her at a time like this.”
“ She’ll have you and Eva. Please, there’s something really important I have to do. I’ll see you at home tonight.”
He opens his mouth to speak and I expect a fight, but his expression softens and he lets out a sigh. “All right. Whatever it is you need to do; I can tell it’s important to you. I trust you, Lola.”
“ Thanks.” I kiss his stubbly cheek and run down the hallway and out the rear doors, before he can change his mind.
My textbooks are still scattered on the hall floor. I suppose Dad will pick them up. I can’t make myself care about anything except the mission I’m now on. My small purse is still slung across my shoulders and I’m grateful I didn’t lose it when I fainted, or that no one took it from around my neck to make me more comfortable.
My legs throb and my chest feels like it’s going to explode by the time I make it to the road and climb aboard the 64B westbound.
The same sense of disbelief I felt the day before
Halfway through class, I give up my search and turn to stare out the window. The sky is blue and cloudless and the grass freshly mowed. Wild flowers bloom at the edges of the groomed field. I marvel at how life goes on, how the sun still shines and people smile and laugh, while my heart slowly crumbles.
Class is over and my ears prick up when I hear my name over the PA. “Lola Savullo to the office, please.” Panic swells my throat and an icy-fingered tendril of dread slides slowly down my spine. Being called to the office can only mean bad news.
I make it out of the classroom on rubber legs before the fog rolls in and I begin to fall, seemingly in slow motion, caving in on myself like a tent without poles. Someone’s caught my arm. There’s a call for help, but it sounds so far away.
When I open my eyes, there’s a crowd. I’m lying on my back on the cold, hard floor of the corridor. Someone’s book bag is tucked under my head: a makeshift pillow.
Mrs. Wright kneels by my side, and gently slaps my face while calling my name.
“ I fainted,” I say, more of a declaration than a question.
“ Yes,” she replies. Concern looms in her expression.
With noodle arms I try to push myself up off the floor.
“ Whoa, let’s wait for Mrs. Dalhiwal.” She places a gentle hand on my shoulder in an effort to keep me in place until the school nurse arrives.
“ Okay, everyone, she’s all right,” Mrs. Wright announces to my audience. “You can all go to class now.”
The crowd slowly disperses. There are whispers and lingering glances.
A deep, rolling groan escapes me when I see my father running toward us. I’m vaguely aware of the accented voice of the school nurse, asking me how I feel. I push her away and stagger to my feet. She huffs her displeasure. “Please, young lady. Let me check if you are all right. Do not be moving around yet.”
I move past her and into Dad’s arms.
“ Did she…?” I whisper.
“ Yes,” he replies.
Chapter Twenty
“ We have to go to the hospital. Mom and Eva are already there,” Dad whispers into my hair.
Mrs. Dalhiwal and Mrs. Wright linger for a while, but soon walk away, leaving me and Dad in privacy.
The bell for second period rings and the halls are now finally empty.
“ No. I can’t.”
Dad holds me at arm’s length. “Lola, don’t you want to say good-bye before they take her to...”
I hold out a hand and turn away. “No, don’t say it.” I can’t let my mind wander to the funeral home and what they’ll do to my poor Gran. “There’s no one to say good-bye to now, Dad. Grandma Rose is gone.” My composure surprises me.
“ But your mother will want you with her at a time like this.”
“ She’ll have you and Eva. Please, there’s something really important I have to do. I’ll see you at home tonight.”
He opens his mouth to speak and I expect a fight, but his expression softens and he lets out a sigh. “All right. Whatever it is you need to do; I can tell it’s important to you. I trust you, Lola.”
“ Thanks.” I kiss his stubbly cheek and run down the hallway and out the rear doors, before he can change his mind.
My textbooks are still scattered on the hall floor. I suppose Dad will pick them up. I can’t make myself care about anything except the mission I’m now on. My small purse is still slung across my shoulders and I’m grateful I didn’t lose it when I fainted, or that no one took it from around my neck to make me more comfortable.
My legs throb and my chest feels like it’s going to explode by the time I make it to the road and climb aboard the 64B westbound.
The same sense of disbelief I felt the day before
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