Chapter 4

Narrated by Shelly Cope.

Tanya Denali was such a gentle soul. She was dealt an unfair hand after the accident. Her dream of becoming a high school teacher was no longer in her grasp. However, once she started teaching the kindergarten class, she realized that high school kids were just Kindergarteners with attitudes.

The day after she started teaching, three sets of parents demanded that their children go into the other class. They claimed their children were frightened of Tanya's scarred face. They were moved. Two children transferred into Tanya's class; they made excellent progress.

The parents who complained wasted their time. At Storytime, both the kindergarten class came together in Tanya's class.

Both the classes also came together to go on field trips which never took place before Tanya began to teach kindergarten.

They had visited the fire station, the police precinct, the library, the hospital, and the vets.

They had fun at a Halloween party, including a parade of costumes. They played games and then had food before they went home.

Chief Swan took his turn to be a class father. Renee refused to go in to take her turn as a class mother. Charlie couldn't bear to see how upset his little Izzy got. Charlie used the opportunity to make the kids feel comfortable with the police chief, hoping that they might keep the law when they get to their teens.

Tanya had started to bring her guitar to school, and the music time was fun for all the children. Tanya had got many different instruments either brought or made. She also began to give lessons to anyone interested in learning to play the guitar. She was teaching five students. Ben, Izzy, and Teddy from her class. With Austin and Max from the other kindergarten class.

~T&I~

All the children had gathered on the carpet.

"Good morning, class," Tanya said as she took her seat.

"Good morning, Miss. Denali, good morning to all my friends," the class replied.

"We are coming to an exciting time of the year. Who can tell me what is happening this month?" Tanya asked her class.

Almost all the kid's hands shot up. It was always the case in the class. They were always so eager to answer all the questions. Tanya didn't make them feel their answers were wrong.

"Lauren?" Tanya called.

"It's going to be Christmas," Lauren answered.

"It certainly is," Tanya replied. "What do you think about when it's Christmas time. Micky."

"Lots of presents," Micky excitedly replied.

"Who can think of anything else?" Tanya asked.

Everyone hand shoots up.

"Izzy?"

"Christmas trees and all the ornaments."

"Good answer. I love to decorate my tree."

"Jess?"

"Going to see Santa at the mall with my grandpa."

"Bobby?"

"Christmas cookies."

"I love cookies," Tanya added.

"Teddy?"

"Secret Santa with my family."

"That sounds exciting thing to do as a family," Tanya replied.

"Angie, what does Christmas mean to you?"

"It's the time that we celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ," Angie answered.

"That's a lot of things that will be happening in December. We are going to start to do some activities, and we have to get ready for our Christmas recital," Tanya began.

"I want to be Mary. My daddy said I would be," Jess shouted out.

"Jess, we don't shout out. We put our hands up. Me or Mrs. Crowley haven't decided parts for anyone," Tanya announced.

There was silence in the class while Tanya composed herself.

"As I was saying over the next few days, you will see a few things in the classroom that makes us think about Christmas. Or what we can use at Christmas. Who knows what is new in the classroom today? Tanya enquired.

Hand shot up among the children.

"Jimmy."

"It's a mailbox?"

"That's right, and we will be putting it on a small table next to the student station. If you bring cards for your friends, I would like you to put them in the box. On the last day of school, before you leave for the holidays, I will put your cards in your cubbies," Tanya explained.

Tanya noticed that Siobhan had her hand up.

"Yes, Siobhan?"

"Why can't we give our friends their cards?"

"I thought this was a better way. You might lose them, or we could finish up with paper everywhere. So, taking them home at the end of school, you can open them at home and enjoy the holidays," Tanya explained.

The actual reason was that she didn't want any of the children feeling left out if they never received any cards.

Tanya picked up a folded red clothe from under her chair.

"This is something that Mrs. Webber has made for us?" Tanya said.

She held up a big piece of red felt cloth. "Sewn onto the fabric are small pockets with numbers sown onto it. Look at all these decorations. They are things you will think of at Christmas."

Tanya pointed to different things on the chart.

"It might be like your advent calendars at home. There aren't any doors to pull off or chocolates inside the small pockets. Every school day, a person will reach into the pocket with the correct number on and will find a slip of paper with an activity," Tanya explained. "Now, we will start with the red table. Tyler, would you like to see what the first activity is."

Tyler got up and walked over to Tanya; he pulled out a colored card from the pocket.

"Wr-ite write a le-tt-er letter to S-an-ta Santa," Tyler read. "Write a letter to Santa."

"That's very good, Tyler. Well, read. Would you like to sit down," Tanya invited.

"We are writing letters to Santa. On your table are your flashcards to help with your spelling. You can only ask for one gift. Remember, Santa has many children to visit on Christmas eve, and he only has room on his sled for one gift for every child," Tanya said. "Don't forget to write your name and address on the letter."

"I can ask for as many presents as I like. I always get everything," Jess boasted.

"I would like you to ask for one thing, please, Jess," Tanya reiterated.

"Jimmy can't ask for anything that costs money because his family is really poor. They have to wear each other's clothes, and his shoes have holes in," Micky mocked.

"Micky Newton. That is a cruel thing to say to anyone. There is no room in my classroom for people who are so cruel to our friends in the class. Now, what do you have to say for yourself," Tanya demanded.

Tanya had insisted that when someone did something mean to anyone else, they apologized and shook hands.

"Sorry," Micky said, holding his hand out.

Jimmy shook his hand, but with the look on his face, you could tell he wasn't going to be letting it go quickly.

"Everyone go and take your seats," Tanya instructed.

Tanya went around the class, helping where it was needed giving praise freely. As usual, there were giggles and chatter around the classroom.

"Okay, everyone, could your table monitor of this week take everyone's letter to the basket. The pencils and flashcards need taking away also," Tanya called.

She watched how the kids worked together, one of them taking the letters and another took the flashcards, then the pencils were taken by someone else.

"Everyone get your coats; It's recess time, and it's cold outside. After recess, it will be your games lesson, so make sure you use the bathroom," Tanya called out.

She watched as the kids slipped on their coats and ran out, they knew the rules now, and everyone had to take turns on the jungle gym, tetherball, and the hoops. She watched as Izzy was showing Teddy how to swing on the bars. He was still not too good at climbing, but it was getting better. She was going to ask Miss. Casey, the P.E teacher, about his balancing.

Tanya made her way down to the teachers' lounge to grab a coffee as she intended to look through the letters the kids had written.

"Beth, when can we get together to do the program for the recital," Tanya asked the other kindergarten teacher.

"Sorry, Tanya, what do you mean program?" Beth puzzled.

"Well, write the play, work out the music program. I thought it would be good to have the children play the guitar. Angie knows how to bell ring. That would sound nice," Tanya began.

"We do the same every year. Jess will play Mary because of who her father is. Then Teddy should play Joseph as both his parents are prominent people in towns, but he is not up to it. Possibly Jeremy Snow as his father is the pediatrician in Forks," Beth shrugged.

"I'm sorry, Beth, but that is not acceptable. How long have you been doing recitals like that?" Tanya said, horrified.

"Since I started here 15 years ago. Why fix something that works. You changed the Thanksgiving program when it didn't need to be changed. If you want to change the program, knock yourself out. I'm not writing a program. You can deal with the parents when you start giving parts to the wrong person," Beth huffed as she walked out of the staff room.

Stunned, Tanya stood and watched Beth, not believing what she said. She knew that she wasn't happy since Mrs. Gerandy had retired. But it wasn't her fault. But this attitude was unbelievable. There was no way she would be giving children parts in the recital because of who their parents were.

Walking back to her classroom, she was going to shake things up, that was for sure. She didn't care what Beth said. She produced some of the plays when she was in college. The parents liked the Thanksgiving program. So, she was sure she could do the Christmas recital.

After helping her class to change for their P.E lesson, Tanya took them through to the gym.

She sat at her desk looking through the Christmas letters. It didn't surprise her when Jess and Micky had asked for several things, including the newest PlayStation, which was challenging to find. She knows deep down they would probably get everything and more.

Izzy wanted some pastels; she just wanted to try new art supplies. Teddy wanted a bike, Angie wanted to learn to knit, and Ben wanted a new helmet, knee, and elbow pads to ride his skateboard again. What horrified her was when she read Jimmy's letter to Santa.

Dear Santa.

I don't want a toy for Christmas. I tried to be good when mommy as to go out at night with Uncle Caius. He not my uncle mommy said that I hav to call him that. I wont you make him go away he hit me and keep making my big sister cry and giving my mommy that stuff that makes her be not like my mommy. My two big sisters ar scard of him. Thay hides in my bedroom at night.

Thank you

Jimmy

Tanya reread the letter. With the letter in her hand, she rushed to April's office.

"Hi Sally, is April in," Tanya asked.

"Yes, let me just ask if she is free," Sally replied. She was pressing on the intercom. "April. Tanya is here to see you."

"Thank you, Sally; send her in."

"Hi, what can I help you with, Tanya?" April enquired.

"This morning, we did an activity writing a letter to Santa. I was just reading through them while the kids were having their P.E lesson. Well, I just read this," Tanya said, passing the letter to April.

As she read it, her eyes opened wide, and her mouth fell open.

"The board told me when I took this job that nothing ever happens. I think people in this town wear blinders. Thank you for bringing this to me. I have a few calls to make," April uttered as she picked up the phone.

~T&I~

A week had gone by since Tanya found the letter. James and his siblings have been taken into care and were somewhere in the state. Wherever he was, Tanya just hoped he was safe and with his siblings.

Tanya had spent all her spare time trying to put the recital together. With no help from Beth.

"Tanya, could I ask you something? I love helping in your class, but I don't want you to think I'm overstepping," Jenny Weber asked.

"Sure, Jenny, what can I help you with?" Tanya enquired.

"I noticed that you are trying to organize this recital on your own. Could I ask why?" Jenny questioned.

"I asked Beth about what normally happens for the recital. She told me that they do a set program that Jess should have the part of Mary. Possibly Teddy as Joseph because their parents are prominent members of the community," Tanya sighed.

"Well, what were you thinking about doing? Maybe I can help you. I do the Nativity for the church every year," Jenny explained.

"We have so much talent in the kindergarten classes this year. The kids can hold a good tune on the guitars. I know it's not something you can include in a nativity but, did you know Brady can play the steel drums. I would love to include it somehow," Tanya sighed.

"The whole recital doesn't have to be the Nativity. It could be what Christmas means to the kids, sing fun songs. Yes, we could finish with the Nativity. But can you imagine finishing on Izzy singing Silent Night," Jenny suggested.

"That sounds like a good idea. We don't have to do a play. Just say facts and maybe how you say Santa in different languages. Jenny are you free any evening to come over, or I could come over to your home and get this recital written, then we can get its casts. We have to get the music together," Tanya asked.

"You can come over any night after 7.30 pm. I'll have the twins in bed by then," Jenny said smiling.

~T&I~

The weeks went by, and the kids were having fun. They had made tree ornaments, a party hat, a snow scene for inside a snow globe, and a calendar with the children's pictures. The biggest snowball fight ever. Tanya's class against Beth's class.

Tanya spent hours getting the children's work ready to put on display in the hall. So, the parents can read what Christmas means to the children and pictures to go with the writing.

As predicted the Newton's, and the Stanley's had come into school to complain. Their children hadn't been given the main part in the Nativity. It was going to be more of a Christmas extravaganza with a small nativity play to finish.

~T&I~

Charlie looked at his watch as he sat in his seat waiting for Renee to turn up for Izzy's Christmas recital. She hadn't turned up for the Thanksgiving recital. She is starting to find herself, but that isn't an excuse not to turn up to see her only child.

"Don't worry, Charlie, I'm sure she will come," Esme said, squeezing his hand.

All the children filed onto the stage, smiling and waving to their parents. Charlie saw how Izzy's smile fell when she looked at the empty chair next to him.

The parents watched as Eric walked forward and spoke.

"Welcome to our kindergarten Christmas recital. We hope you enjoy it."

Six children from each class stood up and, one at a time, stepped forward and said what they liked about Christmas.

The light went over to the side of the stage as Brady started to play Mary's Boy Child on the steel drums.

The kids were in small groups across the stage as the first group began to sing.

Mary's boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day

And man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day

A long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible says

Mary's boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day.

The audience applauded when the song finished.

Thirteen chairs were set along the front of the stage as thirteen children sat on the chairs.

All the children began to sing 12 days of Christmas. As they sang a partridge in a pear tree, two of the children stood up. One had a picture partridge, the other a pear tree stuck on a hat. They both sat down. The next part of the song was two turtle doves. Sonia stood up, followed by the partridge, then the pear tree. This continued until the end of the song.

The parents were laughing as the pear tree sighed every time he had to stand up.

Next came Angela and the other bell ringers. They played jingle bells.

Then came four children dressed as Santa, complete with the big tummies. The children sang

Old St. Nicholas had a tree (Sang to the tune of Old McDonald had a farm)

The Santa's said

"Ho-Ho-Ho." As they held their tummy's.

On that tree, he had some bells.

Four other children stood forward and shook small bells.

Then continued with horns, lights, and finally drums.

Again, the parents applauded.

Nine children stood to the side on their jumpers were the letters that spelled Christmas.

The rest of the classes sang the Christmas alphabet.

C is for the candy trimmed around the Christmas tree.

Scott walked across the stage with the C on his jumper. Then stood to the side.

H is for the happiness with all the family. Clare, with an H pinned to her jumper, stood next to Scott.

This continued until the end of the songs.

The children's jumpers spelled the word Christmas.

The parents seemed to be enjoying the production.

Chairs were on the stage brought for the six children to sit while they played their guitars. They began to play "We wish you a Merry Christmas." As the rest of the children sang at the same time, signing the song words.

A small group of children sang Rudolph the red nose reindeer with their noses painted red.

There was an intermission while the children got ready for the nativity part of the program.

"This is one of the best programs I've seen the kindergarten do for Christmas. They have outdone the thanksgiving recital," Esme said to Carlisle and Charlie.

"They have put a lot of work into it. I was expecting to see the kindergarten play they do every year," Carlisle chuckled.

"I like the way every child has had a part. Normally you see the same kids while the rest are just in the background," Tiffany Call added.

"It's a pity they are not doing what they do every year, and we wouldn't have had to listen to the rubbish we've had to listen to. It's always been the case that the mayor's child would play Mary. That it would be just the nativity play," Carmen Stanley huffed.

"That's your opinion. I think the program has been great. The children have worked hard. So has Miss. Denali and Jenny," Reverent Webber said.

"Attention, the children are ready to perform that last of the program," April shouted.

It took a few minutes for the parents to settle.

Teddy walked out on the stage as Joseph with Izzy as Mary.

Charlie rolled his eyes as Carmen huffed.

Teddy started by saying, "Augustus said that everyone had to go to the place they were born for a census."

"Joseph, we have to go to Bethlehem and be registered. But I can't walk that far as our baby is going to be born soon," Mary said.

The play continued with some of the children being angels, shepherds, sheep, and the innkeeper and his wife—the three wise men.

At the end of the play, Izzy walked forward, holding the doll wrapped up with Teddy by her side. She began to sing Silent Night. Izzy was on the second verse when someone pushed her from behind. Losing her footing, she fell off the stage onto her arm that was still holding the doll.

Izzy let out an ear-piercing scream.

Charlie jumped up, rushing towards her, followed by Carlisle.

"Daddy, my arm hurt," Izzy cried.

"I know, honey, don't move," Charlie instructed.

"Izzy let me just feel around your head and neck to make sure it's okay," Carlisle told her.

"It's just my arm that hurts Doctor Teddy's daddy," Izzy sobbed.

"Chief Izzy's daddy. It was Jess that pushed her. She has been nasty to Izzy all the time," Teddy, looking worried.

"It's okay we saw what happened. Don't worry Teddy, she will be fine," Esme tried to reassure him.

Tanya ushered the children from the stage, taking them back to the classroom.

"Thank you for coming and enjoying the effort all the children, Miss. Denali and Mrs. Webber have put into this performance. It's a shame it has ended as it has. Could I ask you to wait a few minutes and then go and collect your children from their class? They can be taken home early as the performance has had to stop," April announced.

"Charlie, it looks like she has fractured her arm. She will need stitches in her head as well," Carlisle said. "Let's get her to the hospital."

"Are you ready, Izzy? Let me carry you, baby," Charlie softly said.

"Chief Izzy, daddy, I'm coming with you in case Izzy needs me," Teddy instructed as they walked out of the school.

Thanks as always to my pre-reader Kellie (Klcivinski) for reading and giving me pointers.

Donna (EdwardsFirstKiss) for editing the chapter and making it readable.

Any mistakes are all mine.