Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Bestie (05/22/14)
-
TITLE: Half of a Whole | Previous Challenge Entry
By Christina Banks
05/29/14 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Anna’s Mom hovered near the door. Her concerned expression did not match the serenity emanating from her daughter. It was normal for parents to be nervous about the first day of school. I moved around the room, bringing peace and order to the first day chaos. By the time I reached the door, Anna’s mother had gone.
As school moved into the second week, our class had fallen into a comfortable routine. Friendships bloomed before my eyes. With few exceptions, everyone was playing and working together in harmony.
Everyone except Anna.
She was a sweet and content child, but kept her distance from the other students. At recess, she’d often sit by herself in the middle of a field making flower necklaces. She wasn’t my first introverted student, but this felt different.
One day, while the class was outside, I joined her in the field. I was surprised at the intricate weaving she had done to the dandelion chain.
“That’s beautiful. Did your mom teach you how to do that?”
“Emma taught me.” Anna held out the necklace for my inspection. “I’m still learning.”
How many hours had Anna practiced this skill? “Emma must be very talented. Is she a good friend?”
“She’s my best friend.” A radiant smile transformed her normally solemn demeanor. She hummed a haunting melody as she worked on in silence.
As I sat there, I had the distinct impression that Anna was no longer aware of my presence. She was a tranquil child. In our few weeks’ acquaintance, I’d never heard her raise her voice or even laugh out loud.
Anna’s mom still carried her worried expression when she dropped off her daughter. I wanted to alleviate her anxiety. Anna was quiet, but she was a good student. But every morning she’d leave before I had a chance to talk with her.
The night of the parent and teacher meetings, I spoke with Anna’s mother for the first time. I had an assortment of Anna’s work displayed on her desk. Hand drawn pictures of Anna and Emma filled the backs of the pages. I thought they were a sweet testament to Anna’s love for her friend.
I wasn’t expecting the tears in Anna’s mom’s eyes. She sunk into her daughter’s chair and buried her face in her hands. Sobs shook her frail shoulders. Unsure, I knelt and placed a reassuring arm around her. When the emotional storm subsided, she wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.
“She always loved her sister.” She choked on the words.
Her sister? I thought about my conversations with Anna. Had she ever said Emma was her sister? I looked at the childish drawing of two identical girls holding hands.
“Emma died two years ago. Somehow, Anna still feels a bond with her twin.” She took a shaky breath and met my gaze. “She tells me about Emma’s adventures in heaven.”
Did their connection continue beyond the grave? Had Emma really taught her how to make flower necklaces from Heaven?
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
God bless~