She never smiled, never. And never before in my life had I ever felt so afraid for a little girl. Angela sat down in her usual seat, center row four desks back. She wore the same tattered dress that she'd worn yesterday, but the dress was different… or was it her? She bore a new battle wound today; a black and blue, swollen eye. I'd already pulled her aside today and asked her about it. 'Playing baseball with my daddy,' was all she'd say, but her eyes, those innocent windows into the purest or pure hearts, screamed for help. She'd eye the clock nervously, as the other children squirmed in their seats excited to get away from this prison, but not Angela. She had a whole different hell that no one in this room could comprehend. I don't believe anyone could begin to imagine what this child's been through. I looked at the clock now. 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1.
The bell shook the room like an earthquake. The little boys and girl ran out of there faster than I thought possible. Angela just sighed and began putting her things away.
"Angela, could I have a moment with you?" I acted very nonchalant about it, but her eyes grew in fear.
She gradually hobbled up to my desk, "Ye-Yes, Ms. Meyer?" Angela squeaked the words out quickly, anxiously.
"How did you say you got that shiner again?"
"You know how I got my black eye," She looked me right in the eyes now. Her answer took me by surprise.
"Oh," I was the one stuttering now, "And how is that?"
"I was playing catch, with my daddy, and I missed the ball…" Angela trailed off not being able to look me in the eyes anymore.
"You know, Angela, you could tell me anything. You could trust me with any secret,"
"I know Ms. Meyer,"
I paused. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't just watch as this blameless child took the brunt of her parents anguish…
"May I be excused, Ms. Meyer?" I was interrupted mid thought.
I shook my head evenly. "Of course, Angela," I had tried everything, but it still wasn't enough.
"Oh Angela," She turned and looked at me for only a brief moment before reverting her gaze to the tiles, "Happy seventh birthday,"
She smiled and continued on to her own personal nightmare.
God bless that child.