Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: CHILDHOOD (03/09/17)
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TITLE: A Jump Past the Palm Tree | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Dick
03/15/17 -
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The bed bounced violently. I grabbed the windowsill, and turned to see Jorge as he jumped across the mattress.
“What’re you looking at?” My brother asked as he peered out the window.
“I’m waiting for her.” My voice was soft and I swallowed. I turned to look into his wide brown eyes.
“Why do you want to go with her?” His chin quivered, and he rubbed his nose with the back of his hand. “She’s taking you away to a different country.”
“I won’t have to live here anymore. You can come too. She said so.” I stared at Jorge, but he sprang from the bed, and ran out of the room.
I dropped down onto the thin mattress and took a deep breath. As I lay back, I gazed at the water stains on the ceiling. So many beds filled this large room, but this one had been mine. Will I have my own bed now?
Footsteps sounded on the tile floor, and I looked to see Mrs. Trumbull…with her. My heart thumped as I sat up.
“Ana,” said Mrs. Trumbull. “Mrs. Cummings is here. Stand and greet her properly.”
I slid off my twin bed and focused on my worn sneakers.
“Hello Ana,” the woman said. “I am so excited to take you home. Are you excited too?”
I nodded, and then tilted my head to gaze at her.
“Now, Mrs. Cummings, you realize this is the only childhood Ana has known. You will need to give her time to adjust.”
“Yes, I am aware of that.” Mrs. Cummings smiled as she kneeled down in front of me. “You will have a new life, Ana. I will love you, take care of you, and teach you about Jesus. You won’t need anything ever again.”
She stood and held her hand out to me. I stared at her creamy white skin, and then looked up at her face. She was beautiful, with light hair and blue eyes. But I couldn’t take her hand. With a shake of my head, I ran.
Down the dim hallway I blindly went.
“Ana, wait,” called Mrs. Cummings.
I scurried out the back door and into the yard. The dust was thick, the smell of manure was strong, and chickens scattered out of my way. I stopped behind a tree, and slid to the ground in breathless pants. Tears coursed down my cheeks, and I buried my face in my hands.
Her soft voice called my name. I sat in the fine dust, and waited. Her brown loafers crunched on pebbles, as she moved closer. With a peek between my fingers, I could see that she had once again, kneeled before me.
“Ana, please talk to me. How can I help?” Her voice was gentle.
I swallowed and stuttered. “I-I d-don’t want to leave J-Jorge.” A cry burst from my heart, and my head went to my knees.
Her arms went around me as sobs spilled out; until there were no more.
Her head rested on mine, and she whispered. “He can come too…if he wants to.”
With a sigh, I lifted my head, and she wiped my tears with her lace handkerchief.
“Okay.” I hiccupped.
“You will leave this life behind, but you can always visit your brother. Perhaps one day, he also will want to start a new life.”
She stood with a smile, and I slowly got up on my feet. Together, we returned to the orphanage, and began our hunt for Jorge. In closets and underneath beds, we searched. Finally, he was found; hiding in a corner of the damp basement.
***
I walked closely to Mrs. Cummings as we went down the front steps of the only home I had ever known. I glanced back at the brown stucco building, and noticed Jorge in the window. I stopped and waved. He held up his hand, but then disappeared.
With a sigh, I turned. Then I took her hand in mine.
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