A Second Home
“It’s a girl!” The doctors stated joyously. A relieved smile spread across the dark-haired women’s face. Her hair slicked back into a long ponytail; sweat perspiring along her hairline. Her husband, now a proud father of a baby girl, kissed the dark-haired woman sweetly. “Pass me my glasses so I can see her beautiful little face,” the woman said weakly. A small round face with light blue eyes and pink cheeks stared innocently up at them. Taking her firsts breaths, shortly after being born into a foreign world.
The couple sighs as the room fills with soft sunlight. A long-awaited baby for a mother of forty-something. Signs of maturity line the corners of the women’s eyes and mouth, but she radiates joy as if this were her first child. The constant nagging and concerns of the doctors fade away. She’s perfect, two hands, two feet and ten fingers and toes. She had done it. The years of patience and medication, the road had not been easy but she finally had the daughter she always wanted.
Times change and a distant clock ticks away the young girls' childhood years. Only a child still, she embarks on a journey that will shape the rest of her life. A busy year, full of switching schools, leaving friends, and slowly shaping into a young girl with big dreams and aspirations. She walks cautiously through the large castle doors and enters her new school. The girl grasps her mothers’ hand to stop from shaking. A bundle of nervous energy, but the girl is strangely comforted by the smiling faces of teachers and the warm, friendly voice of the secretary.
A year goes by and the girl grows taller, more confident with every stride down the shiny wooden halls. Another year goes by, the fiery colours of autumn disappear under a thick white blanket, which the sun soon melts and the flowers welcome the long sunny days with outstretched petals.
The girl is whisked away into the hum of the school. The castle walls are strong and hold her up when she falls down. Friendships blossom like a rose peeking out of its bud in the early months of June and continue to grow more beautiful and radiant as the years pass. Days, weeks, months disappear all too fast. Another year, filled with laughs, smiles, tears, achieved goals, and mistakes. All of it is too easy to take for granted but she knows her school is different, unique, special… a home.
The girls’ childhood and pre-teenage years are ripped out from under her shiny doc martins as if it were a rug. With her nose stuck in a book she finally looks up and realizes that her time there is coming to an end. The sun sets on the castle as she roams the halls she once ran, as a foolish little girl. Tracing her fingers down the old mahogany railing, a thoughtful smile crosses her face as tears prick the corners of her eyes. But she doesn’t cry. As she descends the main staircase for the last time, her sadness fades and only fond memories remain.
Her dark gown skims the ground as the golden tassel on her black square cap bobs back and forth. Head held high she is a poised and elegant young woman. With knowledge in her head and excitement in her eyes, she sits patiently awaiting her name to be called. Seven years. Seven years of learning, laughing and loving and after seven years at this school, her name is finally called. Gleaming eyes of family behind clear lenses smile as flashes go off and cheers from her family and friends surround her.
Congratulations are given and she has finally made it. She smiles to herself, as she looks up at the beautiful castle in front of her. She knows it all too well, every detail, every hymn, every note of laughter and teachers voice. Behind her excited eyes is not quite sadness, but an expression of ultimate gratitude. “Thank you” she whispers.
She slowly walks away only glancing over her shoulder once to catch a last glimpse of the place she will forever call her second home.
