SOPHIE::
She watched as her husband said his goodbyes. Bowing her head, she began to wipe the tears from her eyes. She had tried desperately to keep her composure. She wanted to remain strong for the others, the kids. The Cliffhangers needed her now more then ever. Peter needed her now. She had resumed the role of the rock. Sturdy, reliable, dependable. Strong. She had to remain strong among all things.
But as she noticed Peter leave the kneeler and go back to his seat, new tears formed. It was time. It was her time. It was the last time she would speak to her student. Quickly finding the kneeler she used her hands to support herself until she reached the padded surface.
'I'm sorry. Oh I'm so sorry. When I saw Peter walk in that day I knew what to expect. I had prepared myself for it. Just as I knew when that phone call came through that it was serious. 'The patients condition is deteriorating' said the nurse. 'You'd better come quickly.' I ran about a mile into the woods to find Peter. He was instructing the Ridge Runners on the rope courses. The look on his face when I approached him was one of total confusion. When I told him about the call he didn't flinch. I knew he was trying to remain strong for the kids. I knew that he was depending on me to do the same. So I did. I told the kids that everything would be fine. I helped a girl into her gear and even cheered her on. Because I had to be strong. But I'm not strong. I'm anything but. Because I'm a teacher and I wasn't there for you. When Peter hired me he trusted me with certain responsibilities. Did I fail him? No, I failed you. That's much worse. I didn't see the signs. I should know the signs, but I looked right past them. Sure, you were having a hard time. I knew that, we all knew that. But I thought everything would be ok if we could just talk about it. We did. Peter did. Where did I go wrong? Where did I mess up so badly that you are dead? I'm so sorry. Please, I need answers.'
She reached out and touched the cold frail hand one last time. Standing up, she made a sign of the cross.
"I'm sorry." With that she walked back to her seat.
She watched as her husband said his goodbyes. Bowing her head, she began to wipe the tears from her eyes. She had tried desperately to keep her composure. She wanted to remain strong for the others, the kids. The Cliffhangers needed her now more then ever. Peter needed her now. She had resumed the role of the rock. Sturdy, reliable, dependable. Strong. She had to remain strong among all things.
But as she noticed Peter leave the kneeler and go back to his seat, new tears formed. It was time. It was her time. It was the last time she would speak to her student. Quickly finding the kneeler she used her hands to support herself until she reached the padded surface.
'I'm sorry. Oh I'm so sorry. When I saw Peter walk in that day I knew what to expect. I had prepared myself for it. Just as I knew when that phone call came through that it was serious. 'The patients condition is deteriorating' said the nurse. 'You'd better come quickly.' I ran about a mile into the woods to find Peter. He was instructing the Ridge Runners on the rope courses. The look on his face when I approached him was one of total confusion. When I told him about the call he didn't flinch. I knew he was trying to remain strong for the kids. I knew that he was depending on me to do the same. So I did. I told the kids that everything would be fine. I helped a girl into her gear and even cheered her on. Because I had to be strong. But I'm not strong. I'm anything but. Because I'm a teacher and I wasn't there for you. When Peter hired me he trusted me with certain responsibilities. Did I fail him? No, I failed you. That's much worse. I didn't see the signs. I should know the signs, but I looked right past them. Sure, you were having a hard time. I knew that, we all knew that. But I thought everything would be ok if we could just talk about it. We did. Peter did. Where did I go wrong? Where did I mess up so badly that you are dead? I'm so sorry. Please, I need answers.'
She reached out and touched the cold frail hand one last time. Standing up, she made a sign of the cross.
"I'm sorry." With that she walked back to her seat.