| Car Rider Smiles met smiles, infectious, as parents met their children. I, the quiet observer, felt their simple joy with envy and anxiety. Scampering feet fled toward station wagons and minivans, and I, the scout with eagle eyes, could not trace the burgundy Grand Caravan that was, until this day, always there waiting for me. One by one, happy families left the parking lot, and one by one, pangs of fear chased my heartbeat. Bus riders may now go to the bus loading zone. The PA system stung my heart. Excited students poured from the double doors, chirps of laughter floating through the air as pigtails, braids, bowl cuts, and buzz cuts clamored aboard yellow vessels homeward bound. I watched the chain of yellow slither away from the school. Teachers chitchatted as they walked toward their parked sedans, glad that their work was over for the day. Mrs. Ceiling drives a white car. Ms. Webber’s is blue. Ignitions started and off they went. And then there was just me. Alone. Afraid. Abandoned. A guidance counselor came out eventually, her expression kind and reassuring when she saw me. What are you still doing here? My mom is supposed to pick me up. What time is she supposed to come? When school ends. She's late. Then I couldn’t stop myself from crying. She waited with me awhile, concerned for my well-being, but eventually left. I sat crying on a bench a little farther from the school. When I saw the van pull into the school, my feelings ran the gamut from relief to fury. Wiping tears with the back of my hand, I opened the sliding passenger door to reveal my whole family inside smiling and laughing lightheartedly, moving shopping bags to make room for me. 292 words ::02/03/03:: (written for a class in 09/02) |
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