Chapter II
Mr. Daniels' daughter
The next morning, the twenty-fourth of November, before I leave and ride my bike, my mom did a very disturbing act. She hugged me and told me that she does love me. It is not that I don't love her it is just that she never does it usually. I wonder why she does that. Well it is not her birthday. As I look at my watch it seems to tell that I have to go. I hurry up and leave the house without knowing what's with my mom. What's with my mom? On the way I saw Mr. Daniels walking. I greeted him and he asks me if I can accompany him going to school. And I accept it, why not? Mr. Daniels is too simple dealing with life, I think. A pair of jeans and a shirt will satisfy him. He has a car but he prefers to walk. He also has a good relationship with his students. I even witnessed how good he is when we arrived at school. Every student greets him and he greets them in return. He's quite cool for me. I really respect him.
At my Science class where Mr. Daniels teaches, everyone talks about a young girl who is always seen together with him. When Mr. Daniels arrived everyone shut their mouths. He sat at his desk and asks us what's all the chattering all about. No one answers. The next thing he asked is could anyone define what love is. What it actually does with Science anyway? Someone said a strong emotion or affection. He told him that she is absolutely correct. Everyone look at each other and seems so confused. He explained that it does something about the Science of reproduction. Well then I understand.
Ever since I met Mr. Daniels when I was still in sixth grade I never saw him dating or with a woman of his age at least. I often see him busy reading newspapers or gardening his mown. A lot says he already has a daughter but I fail to see her at Mr. Daniels' house, and if it is true why I haven't seen her even just once.
As I go home with my bike and Lisa I remember that I have something to buy at the promenade. I let Lisa to go because I have to buy a box of fresh milk and a bag of sugar for mom. And what happened that morning suddenly came to my mind. Oh now I know, it is my father's birthday. How stupid of me?
I already bought what I need when I saw Mr. Daniels with a young girl on a wheel chair. He saw me too and called me. He asked me what am I doing at the promenade, and I answered that I ran for an errand. I tried not to ask who that girl is but I can't help my self. He introduced me to the girl and the girl to me. He answered that she is his daughter, Mary Anne. Mary Anne smiled at me and say hello. Then, I was shocked. He said I really heard it right. We walked ahead the street and he told me the whole story about him. He married a girl, who he really loves, at a young age. After two years of happy marriage her wife died of giving birth to Mary Anne. After two more years they move in to our neighborhood. I asked him why I often see Mary Anne go out of their house. He answered me directly that she is sick. Mary Anne was diagnosed to have Leukemia. I thought he is preventing Mary Anne to go out because he is afraid that everyone may know about him being a single parent, but it is actually not true. How stupid of me again? After he told me about his story my respect for him grew even better. He doesn't just showed love but courage too. I really idolized him right now. I wish some day I can be like him. Not marrying too young but having the courage to accept facts about me- especially about my dad.